KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (November 6, 2026) — The highly anticipated TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) Asia Esports GT Championship Asia Finals are headed back to Malaysia. On November 15, Kuala Lumpur will host the prestigious event for the third time, setting the stage for an intense regional showdown.
A total of 15 elite virtual drivers representing Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand will battle across three grueling races. Competitors are fighting not only for individual glory and team pride but also for a slice of the substantial USD$31,000 prize pool.
The Philippine Contingent
Team Philippines enters the competition with a formidable mix of seasoned veterans and fresh talent. Leading the charge are returning competitors Russel Reyes (25) and Enzo Ison (16). Reyes brings extensive experience from his appearances in the 2022, 2023, and 2024 regional finals, while Ison returns for his third consecutive finals after competing in 2024 and 2025. Joining them is 26-year-old newcomer Michael Velasquez, who completes the three-man roster.
Former Champions Clash
The 2026 grid features an elite lineup of past winners aiming to repeat history. Defending champion Andika Rama of Indonesia enters the event looking to secure another title to match his 2023 and 2025 victories. He faces stiff competition from Malaysia’s home-court favorite Taj Aiman, the 2024 victor, and Singapore’s Ar Muhammad Aleef, who won the inaugural championship in 2020.
Driving the Future of e-Motorsports
Moving to Malaysia after a successful run in Bangkok last year, the annual tournament remains a cornerstone of TGR Asia’s mission to elevate the regional e-Motorsports landscape. The tournament embodies Toyota’s foundational philosophy that “roads build people, and people build cars,” translating this ethos onto the digital track. By lowering the barrier to entry, the championship provides a platform for racing enthusiasts to hone their skills, test their limits, and unite under a shared love for speed, ultimately advancing Toyota’s vision of “Mobility for All.”
“The Asia Finals bring together talented drivers from across the region, united by their passion for racing,” said Toyota Motor Asia Vice President Preston Tan. “We are thrilled to bring the competition back to Malaysia, where former champions and emerging talent will compete alongside one another. We have also been especially encouraged to see drivers from previous editions go on to compete in real-world motorsport, and even on bigger stages such as the Asian Games, a testament to how the championship can be a genuine pathway into the sport. Through e-Motorsports, we hope to continue creating more opportunities for people to experience the excitement of racing and inspire the next generation of motorsport fans.”
New Blood Enters the Fray
Alongside the returning titleholders, five fresh faces are set to debut on the grand stage of the Asia Finals. Looking to upset the veterans are Michael Velasquez (Philippines), Jirat Pakjilayuwat (Thailand), Stanislas Yuveardhitra (Indonesia), alongside the Malaysian duo of Nabil Azlan and Ethen Low. Furthermore, in a bid to foster the next generation of sim racing talent, every participating country will field one youth driver aged 18 or under, offering rising stars a unique chance to test their mettle against the region’s best.
Three Circuits, Three Cars: The Path to Victory
The tournament’s champion will be decided over three distinct races, forcing drivers to constantly adjust their driving styles across different vehicles and tracks:
• Race 1: Competitors will navigate Grand Valley – Highway 1 behind the wheel of the GR Supra Racing Concept ’18 – Gr.3.
• Race 2: The action shifts to the Nürburgring GP circuit, featuring the nimble GR Yaris RZ “High performance” ’20.
• Race 3: The grand finale takes place at Fuji Speedway using the ultra-fast SF23 Super Formula/Toyota ’23.
Point System and Prize Structure
Consistency will be the key to winning the crown. Drivers will secure points based on their final standings in each race, with a race win yielding 25 points, followed by 20 points for second place, and 16 points for third. Points will be distributed all the way down to the 15th-place finisher. To reward raw pace, an additional two-point bonus will be handed out to the driver who clocks the fastest lap in each round.
Ultimately, the field is competing for a total purse of USD$31,000, which will be split across both the individual standings and team categories, maintaining the identical prize framework established in the previous edition.
| Individual | Team | |
| Champion | USD$8,000 | USD$8,000 |
| 1st Runner-up | USD$4,500 | USD$4,500 |
| 2nd Runner-up | USD$3,000 | USD$3,000 |
In addition to the main prize pool, exceptional individual performances will be recognized through three specialized accolades. Drivers will have the chance to take home trophies for Best Race Craft, Rookie of the Day, and Driver of the Day, honoring skill, adaptability, and standout moments on the track.
Action-Packed Exhibition Lineup
The race weekend features more than just the main tournament, with a packed schedule of exhibition events designed to bring the broader community onto the virtual grid:
• The GR Asia Race (Nov. 14): Representatives from Toyota Motor Asia and its regional affiliates will face off in a friendly corporate showdown.
• The Media Pro-Am Race (Nov. 15): Members of the press will team up directly with Asia Finalists, sharing the virtual cockpit and driving duties in a unique collaborative race.
• Esports Team Race: A special showcase featuring top-tier racing teams from Thailand will further elevate the weekend’s competitive energy.
How to Watch and Broadcast Team
Motorsport enthusiasts across the region can stream the entire event live via the official TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Asia Facebook page. Local fans looking to back Team Philippines can tune into the dedicated TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Philippines Facebook page to rally behind Russel Reyes, Enzo Ison, and Michael Velasquez.
To guide viewers through the tactical maneuvers and high-speed drama, Victoria Cheng returns as the main host. The action will be broadcast across multiple languages by an expert commentary lineup:
• English & Bahasa Malaysia: Dez Corkhill and Amir Haziq
• Thai: James Laohongthong and Kulachart “Oat” Rhuvatana
• Bahasa Indonesia: Ari Saputra and Mike Denaldi
