Malaysia driven to showcase prowess at ‘Olympics of motorsports’

The Malaysian squad: (from left) Weiron Tan, Selim Rafique, Jazeman Jaafar, Naquib Nor Azlan and Nabil Nor Azlan

PETALING JAYA: Team Malaysia will once again compete at the FIA Motorsports Games from Oct 23-27 with the Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM) confirming entries for three disciplines at the event set to be held at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain.

Malaysia are set to showcase their racing prowess in the GT Championship as national racer Jazeman Jaafar gets behind the wheel in the GT Sprint Category, bringing his wealth of experience and skill to the track.

Weiron Tan and Selim Rafique are competing in the GT category, both ready to make their mark as they pilot the powerful Lamborghini Huracan GT3.

The Malaysian GT drivers will be backed by the highly experienced Taxshield Arrows Racing Team, known for their exceptional support and technical expertise.

The GT category features a unique format as each nation will field two drivers graded Silver and Bronze, in contrast to the GT Sprint category that highlights the power of a single Gold-rated driver per car.

In the esports category, Naquib Nor Azlan and Nabil Nor Azlan will be representing the country as both drivers have been trained under former racer Alex Yoong.

Naquib, who is making a return to the competition, is hoping to improve his performance in the esports GT category with a medal for Malaysia while his younger sibling, Nabil, will make his debut at the FIA Motorsport Games in the esports F4 category.

MAM president Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir expressed his excitement to see national racers take part in what is the pinnacle of motorsports games across the globe.

“We are proud and excited to be sending homegrown drivers to what is considered the Olympics of motorsports.

“I believe the five Malaysian drivers have what it takes to compete with the best in the world, and the Motorsports Games is the perfect opportunity to showcase up-and-coming motorsports talents from Southeast Asia,” he said.

This will be the third time Malaysia are competing at the Motorsports Games. In the inaugural event back in 2019, Team Malaysia, represented by 2019 eRacing GP winner Mior Muhamad Hafiz, finished eighth in the Digital Cup.

In 2022, Naquib outshined competitors from over 60 countries, qualifying as a finalist in the esports Cup.