Indonesian Andika Rama comes in second in the Individual Championship,
Team Indonesia comes in first place in the Country Championship
At the Connexion Conference and Event Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 15 of the best e-Motorsports racers in the region squared off in the thrilling finale of the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) GT Cup Asia 2024. In three thrilling races on top-tier circuits, racers from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand fought for the title of Asia Champion and the opportunity to represent the region in the TGR GT Cup Global Finals in Amsterdam in December.
After several thrilling races, Taj Izrin Aiman of Malaysia won the TGR GT Cup Asia 2024 Individual Championship with a total of 65 points, earning a well-earned triumph. Andika Rama of Indonesia, the reigning 2023 Individual Champion, finished in second place with 57 points, demonstrating unwavering perseverance. Moreno Pratama, another Indonesian, finished third on the podium with 48, his first appearance in the Asia finals. Rama’s and his colleagues’ steady play also helped Indonesia win the coveted Country Championship title.
The competition, held 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 not only the ongoing enthusiasm from our drivers and supporters but also 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!”
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 were also able to communicate with their teams, exchanging tips and strategies. 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 Define the 2024 Regional Finals
With five stunning livery designs that represent 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 winner of the first race. 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 driver’s taking up second and third position. Rain also came into play for this race, creating a challenging track that led to many position changes for several drivers.
The final showdown tested racers’ strategies to the limit with the technically challenging Fuji International Speedway, known for its tough 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 final laps of the race. This third race also saw a heavy amount of contact, with more than one racer spinning out and resulting penalties served. Opting for soft tires at the start, while many of his 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 overwhelmed with pride 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, who’s representing Asia for the second time this year.
Special awards were also given in recognition of 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, equipping racers with wired Razer BlackShark V2 X e-sports headset, ensuring seamless, clear, and comfortable communication with their teams.
The first five places in qualifying rounds, bonus points for the fastest laps in each of the three races, and the total points gained from finishing positions in all three races were used to determine the winner. A monetary prize of USD 8,000, USD 4,500, and USD 3,000 was awarded to the top three individuals and teams, respectively. With their wins assured, Aiman and Andika will compete against the top e-Motorsports racers in the world at the TGR GT Cup Global Finals on December 6 in Amsterdam, representing Asia.
Please click here to rewatch the TGR GT Cup Asia 2024 Regional Finals. You may download high-resolution photos from the Asia Cup Final event here.
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