UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has further expanded its motorsport involvement with the establishment of the new Toyota Gazoo Racing Malaysia team.
This newly formed racing outfit will be participating in the 2026 season of the Thailand Super Series in the GT4 category with two Toyota GR Supra GT4 Evo2 race cars.
New Outfit, Familiar Faces
While Jason Ong has been elected as the team principal for the TGR Malaysia team, lending his expertise in a team director role will be Japan’s Akira Iida, whose racing experience includes being a JGTC GT500 winner, a 24h Nurburgring winner in both the SP8 and SP Pro classes, and an Asian Le Mans (ALMS) GTE class winner.
Forming the drivers’ lineup for the two GR Supra GT4 Evo2 racers will be a quartet of drivers consisting of familiar faces like Shaun Tong and Weiron Tan in the #81 car, while Nazim Azman and Putera Adam will be in charge of the #83 car.
Both of these cars will be competing in the GT4 category of the Thailand Super Series, which is contested by the likes of the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport, Mercedes-AMG GT4, Aston Martin Vantage GT4, and many more.
GR Supra GT4 Evo2 Heads to Thailand
As mentioned earlier, TGR Malaysia has elected to field two Toyota GR Supra GT4 Evo2 race cars this season. And as its name indicates, this racer is built to follow the GT4 specifications, featuring a 3.0-litre straight-six engine with a single twin-scroll turbocharger and a Marelli engine control unit (ECU).
The exact power output for said engine will be dependent on Balance of Performance (BoP) restrictions, which vary over the course of a season, while its maximum torque output is capped at 660 Nm.
Drive is then being sent to the rear wheels (RWD) via a modified 7-speed ZF automatic transmission, and completing the driveline setup are a high-torque spec driveshaft by GKN Motorsport and a limited-slip differential by Drexler. Sound bites for this racer will be provided by an Akrapovic racing exhaust system with a catalytic converter.
Despite its manic powertrain setup, the GR Supra GT4 Evo2 retains the same MacPherson front and multi-link rear suspension setup as the road car, albeit now equipped with KW adjustable racing dampers. Stopping power is provided by Brembo with six-piston callipers at the front and four-piston ones for the rear—both with steel discs measuring 390 mm and 355 mm, respectively.
Last but not least, gripping the Supra to the tarmac will be a set of 18-inch OZ wheels shod in Pirelli 305/660-18 tyres, along with the extensive aero kit with a GT-style rear wing.
The upcoming 2026 season of the Thailand Super Series will kick-off at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, with pre-season testing set to begin on Apr 22, followed by Round 1 of racing later on May 21-24. Round 2 will take place at the Bangsaen street circuit in Chonburi, while the Petronas Sepang International Circuit (SIC) will host Rounds 3 and 4 on Aug 21-23 and Sept 18-20, respectively.
