Team Philippines gears up for the TGR Asia Esports GT Championship 2026 in Kuala Lumpur. Discover race details, drivers, and the $31,000 prize pool.
Team Philippines prepares for the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Asia Esports GT Championship 2026. The high-stakes showdown returns to Kuala Lumpur on November 15. Fifteen drivers across Asia will battle for regional honors and a USD $31,000 prize pool. Russel Reyes, Enzo Ison, and newcomer Michael Velasquez represent the Philippine squad. Competitors will tackle three intense virtual races featuring iconic Toyota vehicles. Follow Traffic Network PH for live updates as top e-Motorsports talents fight for the championship title.
– Dee Lane | Traffic Network PH
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Asia Esports GT Championship 2026 returns to Kuala Lumpur, Team Philippines prepares for high-stakes showdown
Fifteen drivers from across Asia will compete for regional honors and a USD$31,000 prize pool
OFFICIAL RELEASE: Toyota Motor Philippines | PUBLISHER: ADVAI
November 6, 2026 — The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) Asia Esports GT Championship 2026 Asia Finals will return to Kuala Lumpur on November 15, marking Malaysia’s third time hosting the event. Bringing together 15 drivers from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, the event will see established names and emerging talent go head-to-head across three races for individual and team honors and a share of the USD$31,000 prize pool.
Representing Team Philippines are returning drivers Russel Reyes, 25, and Enzo Ison, 16, and newcomer Michael Velasquez, 26. Reyes competed in the Asia regional finals in 2022, 2023 and 2024, while Ison participated in 2024 and 2025.
Indonesia’s Andika Rama will defend his title following victories in 2023 and 2025, while Malaysia’s Taj Aiman, the 2024 champion, will race on home ground in pursuit of another win. Singapore’s Ar Muhammad Aleef, the 2020 champion, completes the trio of former winners returning to challenge for the title.
Following last year’s Finals in Bangkok, the championship continues TGR Asia’s commitment to growing the regional e-Motorsports community. TGR’s philosophy of making ever-better motorsports-bred cars is rooted in the belief that roads build people, and people build cars. The championship brings this spirit of learning through racing to the virtual track, giving more drivers the opportunity to compete, learn and showcase their skills. By bringing drivers and fans together through a shared passion for motorsport, it also extends Toyota’s belief in Mobility for All to the racing community.
“The Asia Finals bring together talented drivers from across the region, united by their passion for racing,” said Toyota Motor Asia Vice President Preston Tan. “We are thrilled to bring the competition back to Malaysia, where former champions and emerging talent will compete alongside one another. We have also been especially encouraged to see drivers from previous editions go on to compete in real-world motorsport, and even on bigger stages such as the Asian Games, a testament to how the championship can be a genuine pathway into the sport. Through e-Motorsports, we hope to continue creating more opportunities for people to experience the excitement of racing and inspire the next generation of motorsport fans.”
Former Champions Meet New Contenders
Joining the three former champions are five newcomers ready to make their mark on the Asia Finals stage: Michael Velasquez of the Philippines, Jirat Pakjilayuwat of Thailand, Stanislas Yuveardhitra of Indonesia, and Malaysia’s Nabil Azlan and Ethen Low.
Each market will also field one driver aged 18 or under, giving younger competitors the opportunity to test their skills against experienced regional contenders.
Three Races to Decide Regional Honours
All 15 drivers will compete across three races, beginning at Grand Valley – Highway 1 in the GR Supra Racing Concept ’18 – Gr.3, followed by Nürburgring GP in the GR Yaris RZ “High performance” ’20. The final race will see drivers take on Fuji Speedway in the SF23 Super Formula/Toyota ’23, with each change of circuit and car challenging competitors to adapt as they pursue the regional titles.
Drivers will earn points based on their finishing positions, with 25 points awarded for first place, 20 for second and 16 for third, with points awarded down to 15th place. A two-point fastest-lap bonus offers a further opportunity for drivers to gain an edge.
USD$31,000 in Prizes and Additional Honours
A total prize pool of USD$31,000 will be awarded across the individual and team categories, retaining the same prize structure as last year.
| Individual | Team | |
| Champion | USD$8,000 | USD$8,000 |
| 1st Runner-up | USD$4,500 | USD$4,500 |
| 2nd Runner-up | USD$3,000 | USD$3,000 |
Alongside the championship prizes, additional trophies will be presented for Best Race Craft, Rookie of the Day and Driver of the Day.
Join the Action in Kuala Lumpur
Beyond the main championship, a series of exhibition races will bring Toyota representatives, media and esports drivers into the action. The GR Asia Race on November 14 will see representatives from Toyota Motor Asia and participating regional companies take to the virtual track. On November 15, the Media Pro-Am Race will pair media representatives with Asia Finalists, with teammates sharing driving duties during the race. An Esports Team Race featuring teams from Thailand will add to the weekend’s excitement.
Fans across the region can also follow the 2026 finals live on TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Asia’s Facebook page, while Filipino fans can join the community in cheering for Reyes, Ison and Velasquez on the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Philippines Facebook page.
Returning host Victoria Cheng will lead the action, joined by Dez Corkhill and Amir Haziq on English-language commentary, with Amir also covering Bahasa Malaysia. James Laohongthong and Kulachart Oat Rhuvatana will provide Thai commentary, while Ari Saputra and Mike Denaldi return for Bahasa Indonesia coverage.
Together, the commentary team will bring fans closer to the competition, covering the overtakes, race strategies and decisive moments as the drivers battle for regional honors.
APPENDIX
Outline of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Asia Esports GT Championship 2026
| Event Name | TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Asia Esports GT Championship 2026 |
| Event Date | Sunday, 15 November 2026 |
| Event Location | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| Participation Requirement | Owner of PS4 or PS5, with Gran Turismo 7 installed. |
Drivers List
| Country | Drivers |
| Thailand | Thanaphat Pungphat |
| Maijukkree Areekijseree | |
| Jirat Pakjilayuwat – Asia Finals debut | |
| Malaysia | Taj Aiman – 2024 champion |
| Nabil Azlan – Asia Finals debut | |
| Ethen Low – Asia Finals debut | |
| Singapore | Ar Muhammad Aleef – 2020 champion |
| Fadtris Isa | |
| Jayden Liaw | |
| Indonesia | Moreno Pratama |
| Stanislas Yuveardhitra – Asia Finals debut | |
| Andika Rama – 2023 and 2025 champion | |
| Philippines | Russel Reyes |
| Enzo Ison | |
| Michael Velasquez – Asia Finals debut |
Point System of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Asia Esports GT Championship 2026
| Award | |
| Individual | Cumulative points of each race participated |
| Country | Total of all (3) individual participants representing the country |
Exhibition Races
1. GR Asia Exhibition Race
Circuit: Fuji Speedway
Car: Super Formula
The GR Asia Race will bring Toyota representatives together for an exhibition race, providing an opportunity to experience competitive sim racing and connect with colleagues from across the region. Trophies will be awarded to the top three finishers.
2. Pro-Am Exhibition Race (Media & Asia Finalists)
Circuit: Nürburgring GP
Car: GR Yaris
Media representatives will partner with Asia Finalists, with each pair sharing driving duties. Media participants will set the qualifying times, while the race will include one mandatory pit stop and a driver change. Trophies will be awarded to the top three pairings.
3. Asia Esports Team Exhibition Race
Circuit: Grand Valley Highway-1
Car: GR Supra Racing Concept ’18 – Gr.3
The Esports Team Race will bring together 15 racers for an exhibition contest, with trophies awarded to the top three finishers.
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