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New Straits Times
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Immersive Super GT's safari bus ride [BTTV]
BEING at eye level as race cars thunder past you on a circuit safari bus is something extremely rare. Top-tier motorsports like Formula 1 simply do not allow it. But Japan's motorsport culture is more open and fan-focused, and such safari bus ride is a great example of that. This writer had the chance to take this unique ride during a Super GT race at Petronas Sepang International Circuit on Friday. Before going more on the safari bus ride, let's digest some key facts about the Japanese Super GT series. The Autobacs Super GT race, held from June 26-28 2025 at the Sepang circuit, made its return to Malaysia after a 12-year absence. Malaysia continues to be the only country outside Japan to host a round of the series. It will return again in 2026 and 2027. UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd, together with Toyota Gazoo Racing Malaysia, is the title sponsor for the Malaysian Sepang track hosted the first overseas (exhibition) race in 2000 and 2001. Back then, it was known as All-Japan Grand Touring Championship. After the two exhibition races, Malaysia was officially included as a full-fledged championship round in 2002, and played host until 2013. What is Safari Bus Ride? The safari bus ride is a special event where fans are taken onto the actual track during live practice or warm-up sessions. Fans typically ride in open-roof or large-windowed buses as Super GT cars whizz past, mere metres away. You are essentially in the middle of the action, with GT500 and GT300 cars roaring by on both sides. The Experience On board the safari bus, yours truly was literally on the circuit with the GT cars, riding safely in a bus while high-powered race machines flew past at speed of 200km-300km an hour. A guide from rights holder and promoter Haro Sports & Entertainment was there to explain what was happening on the track. The bus drove slowly along the circuit, often along parts of the main straight, S-curves or technical sections, while the race cars zoomed past at full speed. This was not just a sightseeing ride. It was a rare opportunity to witness real-time racing action from within the racing line, offering a once-in-a-lifetime perspective normally reserved for marshals or professional media personnel. The sound, speed and wind the GT cars generated were electrifying. The rumble and engine notes were physically felt. This is not simulated or slowed down. They are the real cars, at real speed and right next to you. We can see cars battling for space, doing full-speed practice laps or preparing for qualifying. There were multiple moments when the bus slowed or paused at key corners, allowing those on board to take photos of the cars as they passed by. Because they were so close, even phones can capture great shots. The safari bus ride at a Super GT race is a rare chance for fans to experience the power, speed and precision of professional motorsport from inside the world of the drivers. This is one of those bucket list experiences one will talk about for years.
New Straits Times
29-06-2025
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Vios Challenge turns up heat in Sepang
A single one-hour race marked a monumental milestone for the 2025 Vios Challenge, which made its international debut at the Malaysian round of the Autobacs Super GT. Departing from its usual 10-lap sprint format on a shortened circuit, Round 2 saw all 36 drivers across three classes start together on the full 5.543 km length of the iconic Petronas Sepang International Circuit, doubling the challenge for every competitor. Adding to the international flair, the grid featured racers from Thailand, Singapore and India. The Vios Challenge was made even more special with UMW Toyota Motor and Toyota Gazoo Racing Malaysia's title sponsorship of the Malaysian round of the Super GT series. In the Super Sporting Class for professionals, Laser Motor Racing's Eddie Lew jumped into an early lead as soon as the race got underway, getting ahead of Wheelcorp's Nabil Azlan. Pole sitter and Laser Motor Racing's second driver Ady Rahimy Rashid dropped seven places into eighth position. Nabil, however, punched into the lead by the third lap with Telagamas Toyota's Freddie Ang moving into second position as Lew also dropped into third by the halfway mark of the race. In the end, it was Ang who claimed the chequered flag ahead of Nabil with Toyotsu Racing's William Ho a further 18 seconds behind in third place. "The initial plan was to attack in the second half of the race but as things unfolded in the race, it went from this to getting to the front and trying to pull away. "In a one-hour race it is extremely challenging and it is critical to manage both the car and tyres," said Ang, who finished the 20-lap race a mere 0.7 seconds ahead of Nabil. "He (Nabil) was on my rear bumper the entire time and every time I tried to pull away he was right there with me. I couldn't do anything more and so I settled for being defensive and trying to just stay ahead. "To be honest it was very taxing on the body, especially with the heat. We are all so used to the sprint race and therefore the second 30-minute stint this weekend really had you feeling body fatigue…it was extremely hot." The Sporting Class for amateurs, meanwhile, was dominated by Hong Huat & Armada KK Racing's Jwan Hii who delivered a dominant drive to finish eight seconds ahead of Kulim Top Wheels' Datuk Dr Ken Foo. In third place was Thai driver Varunchit Wattanathanakun representing RUK Team Nexzter PMC 52. The race was essentially Hii's from start to finish as he dominated from pole position to post the fastest lap time of 2 min: 52.409 seconds. Down the field in the Rookie Class, drama unfolded in the penultimate stages of the race as Aydan Khaliq took victory ahead of Rahul Dev, with Harkiesh Geeva in third position. Harkiesh and Aydan had been trading places for the race lead and with several minutes left to the finish, the former had been poised for what appeared to be certain victory until a mechanical problem denied him of the top spot on the podium. "To be honest, I was very fortunate to finish where I did after Harkiesh lost his third gear despite leading the race for quite a fair bit. But that is part and parcel of racing," said Aydan. "Racing on the full track was also a bit more tiring…Mentally I was fit enough but after competing in the GR86 Cup Malaysia race I practically had to rush to the starting grid for the Vios Challenge. "Nevertheless, competing on a Super GT race week is excellent exposure not only for me as a rookie but the entire Vios Challenge series as it projects local talent and racing internationally," he added.
