POINTS were the order of the day at Toyota Gazoo Racing's Season 5 Vios Challenge finale held during the Sept 24-25 weekend.
Closing with a record high 3.1 million online viewers, the crowning of four new overall class champions at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) wasn't as simple as coming in first during Sunday's race.
Take Prima Pearl TD Racing's Mitchell Cheah, who finished 7.3 seconds ahead of Telagamas Toyota's Freddie Ang in an intensely contested Super Sporting Class 20-lap all-night race with Laser Motor Racing's Eddie Lew finishing third.
In the end, Axle Sports' 18-year-old Hayden Haikal topped everyone when his overall points made him the class overall champion, making him feel like it was 2020 all over again when he won the Sporting Class at the time.
"I felt that my car was slower going into Race 2 than it was in Race 1 due to the weight penalty and the tremendous pressure I felt as I came under from the field.
"The last two laps were the happiest of my life when two drivers had some problems with their cars and that allowed me to pass, moving me up to fourth position with just enough points to stay ahead in the championship," he added.
Meanwhle, Axle Sports' Naquib Azlan had a better streak compared to most of the racers when he dominated the amateur Sporting Class on both days, which solidified his points for the class' overall championship.
Carroof Motorsport's Mirza Syahmi Mahzan come in second when he crossed the finish line just 0.4 seconds adrift, followed by Tom Goh of S&D Tama Motorsports in third place.
"It was never going to be straight forward coming into this race and starting from the sixth position. Also with the overall championship in mind, I really had to manage the risks that I took. I did not want to get into any accidents that could cost us the championship title.
"With 60kg of ballast, it was difficult to keep up with the faster cars and I had to be more imaginative to make the overtaking manoeuvres stick. Towards the final laps of the race, I saw an opening and I just went for it," said Naquib.
With an ever-burning ambition, Naquib looks to return to the Vios Challenge in Season 6 to fight for the Super Sporting Class championship, now that he has won the overall Rookie Class in Season 4 and this season's Sporting Class championship.
"I'll try to find a way to make that happen. I want to win that as well. I never expected my transition to the Sporting Class to be so successful, especially as there are more experienced drivers here. To be honest, I was never certain I could win a race, what more the overall championship," he added.
His brother Nabil Azlan is another example of points for position when he was crowned the overall Rookie Class champion despite placing third behind race victor Muizzuddin Musyafa and runner-up Sharique Zulqarnain on Sunday.
"A massive shout-out to Toyota for giving rookies the opportunity to transition from simulator racing to saloon car racing. It wasn't an easy task but thankfully everything went well for me.
"I learnt from the mistakes I made and that led to three race victories and four podium finishes in six races. I hope to continue racing next year," said Nabil Azlan.
Lastly, entertainer Nabil Ahmad could have been in third position during the finale, but his points placed him at the top of the celebrity Promotional Class pack.
His points were enough to earn him the overall Promotional Class title with a six-point advantage over actor Zizan Razak, who again finished runner-up in his second successive season.
Singer Khai Bahar who raced to his first win of the season in the same class ahead of actress Ahirine Ahirudin is determined to return and compete again next year.
"It's an amazing feeling to win the last race of the season and I hope that I will be back in Season 6. I would like to thank Toyota for giving all of us this fantastic opportunity," said Khai.
On-the-ground Season 5's weekend finale was more than just the heat of the battle as a special exclusive event was opened to only 2,000 race fans and celebrity superfans.
A festival ground that spanned the entire length of the main paddock building's rooftop offered a range of activities, including the chance to mingle with celebrities.
This included a meet-and-greet and autograph session, the display and sale of Gazoo Racing and Toyota merchandise, family activities, a lucky draw with attractive prizes and two special concerts.
Khai performed on Sunday ahead of a Rockers & Racers concert featuring rock queen Ella and girl group Dolla.
UMW Toyota Motor president Ravindran K. said the racing festival and Vios Race Challenge haved both come a long way since the series started in 2017.
"At the time of its inception we wanted to change the thinking that Toyota cars are meant for the matured crowd. We wanted to build an ever better car that also makes it attractive to the younger buyers. Today, there has been a total shift. Of course, we also wanted to make a significant contribution to Malaysian motorsports.
"The Vios Challenge provides us with a very strong platform to evaluate and develop our future cars. We also want our young engineers to be able to contribute to the research and development of future models.
"We want our customers to enjoy a very safe, fun and powerful car to drive and, in this case, the Vios. The Vios Challenge is the right platform for people to see this and for a lot of young engineers to join us to build better cars for the future," he added.