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Originally envisioned as a humble econobox
that blends all the blandness we’ve come to
expect from a modern Toyota; reliability, fuel
efciency, roominess and paralysed handling
dynamics, the meek Toyota Vios of all things
was selected as the base for Toyota to reignite
its racing pedigree here and the nal product is
now the most hyped racing machine in Malaysian
grassroots motorsports.
Granted, delving into car modding culture here
is as painful on the wallet as it is on the eyes of
fellow petrolheads as you roll around mimicking
an EDM festival’s light show with LEDs strapped
on your car and fake wheels cracking at every
pothole you turn into.
Lest we forget the uneducated that leave their
rear fog lights on 24-7 that makes up much of the
eye pollution we endure on the roads at night.
However, we understand that acquiring a JDM
machine and purchasing genuine parts will leave
you on the staple diet of petrolheads; roti canai
and ais kosong. So we make do with what we can
afford and that’s usually a Vios. The abundance
of imitation parts catering for the Vios is proof
enough of its popularity, albeit not by choice.
Nonetheless, with the right components and
knowhow, the Vios can be transformed into a
formidable track machine. There, we’ve said it
and we’re not bbing.
The Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival is ultimately a
motorsports-based carnival for the family with
the Vios Challenge headlining the event. All the
Vios racecars will be prepared identically save
for minor changes such as seats and steering
wheels to suit the driver’s fancy.
Using the Vios has a number of benets. Being
cars for the people, many can identify with them
and more likely than not would have had some
seat time in it. Secondly, such Vios one make
races already exist in the region so the formula
is proven.
Lastly, to the questions of why the 86 isn’t used…
well it all boils down to money. Using a cheaper
base keeps things more affordable with around
RM90k buying you a race-ready Vios racecar and
entrance into the four rounds that will constitute
the rst season. You also get some free racing
lessons if you’re a rst-timer.
That’s right, anyone with a driver’s license and
the RM90k can get in on the action.
How do you transform a Vios into a formidable
racecar though?
If you’re expecting turbos or forged engine
internals, you’re better off sticking to your PS4
and Gran Turismo. The name of the game here is
keeping it affordable and robust.
Starting off with the entry-level Vios 1.5J M/T
that is assembled right here in Shah Alam, the
wizards at Wing Hin Motorsports; the ofcial
distributor for TRD and a respected Toyota
dealer, get to work preparing the cars.