TOYOTA GAZOO Racing GT Cup Asia 2024: Taj Izrin Aiman secures victory
The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) GT Cup Asia 2024 has culminated in a heart-pounding finale as 15 of the region's top e-Motorsports racers faced off at the Connexion Conference and Event Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Racers from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand competed in three exhilarating races on world-class circuits, all vying for the title of Asia Champion and the chance to represent the region in the December TGR GT Cup Global Finals in Amsterdam.
Taj Izrin Aiman from Malaysia emerged as the TGR GT Cup Asia 2024 Individual Champion with 65 points, securing a well-deserved victory following a series of dramatic races. In second place, Andika Rama from Indonesia, the returning 2023 Individual Champion, showcased relentless determination, finishing with 57 points.
Fellow Indonesian Moreno Pratama, in his first appearance in the Asia finals, placed third on the podium with 48. Rama and his fellow teammates' consistent performance also earned Indonesia the coveted Country Championship title.
The competition on Gran Turismo 7 for PlayStation 5 (PS5) and PlayStation 4 (PS4) saw a blend of strategic prowess, precision driving, and bold moves across three races. Fans were treated to an unforgettable showdown on iconic tracks like Sardegna Windmills, Nürburgring Grand Prix (GP), and Fuji International Speedway.
"The heart of Toyota and GAZOO Racing GT Cup Asia has always been about fostering a community of excellence rooted in our Japanese practice of Kaizen, or Continuous Improvement. In this fifth edition, it is inspiring to witness the ongoing enthusiasm from our drivers and supporters and the technological advancements driven by e-Motorsports. We're excited to contribute to this growth in the region as racers showcase exceptional talent and help shape the future of e-motorsports," said Toyota Motor Asia (TMA) general manager Jaja Ishibashi.
"A heartfelt congratulations to all the racers for their remarkable performance today, and all the best to Aiman and Rama as they advance to the Global Finals!" he added.
TMA general manager for Vehicle Design Engineering Panat Leelavansuk shared, "From mastering iconic tracks that reflect real-world conditions to integrating insights from actual motorsports, the skill level on display from all participants is impressive. With the support of Razer's headsets this year, racers could also communicate with their teams, exchanging tips and strategies."
He said, "I'm thrilled to witness the passion and dedication of today's youth, who are shaping the future of e-sports, as showcased in this year's GAZOO Racing GT Cup Asia. Congratulations to all the winners—your talent is setting new benchmarks for competitive gaming!"
Three thrilling races
With five stunning livery designs representing each country, the competition began with sunny weather on TGR GT Asia Cup's first-ever rally track, the Sardegna Windmills circuit, where drivers took the wheel of the GR Yaris. Rama took the lead early on, only facing slight competition in the early laps before finishing as the first race winner.
Throughout most of the race, the most intense action occurred mid-race, where drivers from Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia battled it out. A close fight for all, the race ended with lap timings for all drivers separated by less than half a minute.
The second race at Nürburgring GP featured drivers in the GR Corolla Morizo Edition '22, with a reverse grid for the top eight finishers from race one, placing the first race winner in eighth position, and so on. Pratama used this to his advantage – placing eighth in the first race, Pratama stayed within the top three positions throughout the circuit, eventually coming out on top as the second race's winner.
Malaysia's team strategy also worked in their favor, with two of their drivers taking second and third place. Rain also came into play for this race, creating a challenging track that led to many position changes for several drivers.
The showdown tested racers' strategies to the limit, with the technically challenging Fuji International Speedway, known for its demanding last sector, coming out into the straights. Driving on the GR010 Hybrid '21, Pratama battled fiercely to take fourth place from Malaysia's Iqbal Suji, with both drivers employing strategic offensive and defensive maneuvers.
The Indonesian driver ultimately made his move, overtaking in the race's final laps. This third race also saw a heavy amount of contact, with more than one racer spinning out, which resulted in penalties being served. Opting for soft tires initially, while many competitors chose mediums, Aiman maintained his lead and secured the win through a well-timed pit stop strategy.
"I'm truly at a loss for words. Although I faced technical difficulties and couldn't finish the race last year, I'm proud that my dedication and training have paid off, leading to a victory at the TGR GT Cup Asia 2024," said an emotional Aiman. "I'm excited to continue training with Andika Rama as we prepare for the Global Cup in Amsterdam. A heartfelt thank you to Toyota Motor Asia for this incredible opportunity!"
"I'm honored to be representing Asia once again this year! Competing against Taj Aiman was an incredible challenge—he's an exceptional competitor. I pushed myself to the limit, but his consistency and strategy across all three races were unmatched. I'm excited to have him as a teammate as we prepare for the Global Finals, and I can't wait to make Asia proud," said Andika Rama, representing Asia for the second time this year.
Special awards were also given for drivers' exceptional performances, with Aiman cinching Driver of the Day, the Philippines' Russel Reyes taking home Best Racecraft, and Rama winning Fastest Race Pace.
The TGR GT Cup Asia Finals 2024 welcomed Razer Inc. as its official headset partner. Racers were equipped with wired Razer BlackShark V2 X e-sports headsets, ensuring seamless, clear, and comfortable communication with their teams.
The championship was determined from cumulative points earned through finishing positions across all three races, the first five positions in qualifying rounds, and bonus points for the fastest laps.
The top three individuals and teams each received a cash prize of USD 8,000, $4,500, and $3,000, respectively. With their victories secured, Aiman and Andika will represent Asia at the TGR GT Cup Global Finals on December 6 in Amsterdam, facing off against the world's best e-Motorsports racers.
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