Toyota Vios Challenge race driver Mark Darwin will be Malaysia’s representative in Team Asia driving a Toyota Corolla Altis for the Thailand Super Endurance 600 min race.
Darwin will team up with drivers from the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand for the race that will be held in December at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand. The race forms part of Toyota’s initiative to develop budding talent in the region by offering them greater opportunities to participate in the international arena.
Deputy Chairman of UMW Toyota Motor Akio Takeyama who handed the Malaysian flag to Darwin hoped the race would be a fulfilling experience and would help develop the skills and capabilities of local drivers.
“We are proud to be able to name Mark Darwin for this Super Endurance 600 Race. It is a key part of Toyota’s initiatives globally to use motorsports as a means of developing not only our cars, but more importantly, to provide our talents with the opportunities that allow them to fully realize their potentials,” said Takeyama.
Following the selection in Kuala Lumpur, Darwin 27, voiced his gratitude to Toyota for the opportunity to represent the country.
“It is an honour and a privilege to have been selected to represent Malaysia for this experience. I am looking forward to race with other drivers in the Corolla Altis and I hope that we will be able to get the results that make Malaysians proud,” said Darwin who left for Thailand to undergo a four-day intense training stint on the Bira and Buriram circuits.
Darwin will immediately return from his stint in Thailand to lead his charge in the Vios Challenge this weekend at the MAEPS circuit in Serdang. As one of the top contenders in the series, he will be looking to settle down quickly and learn the course in an effort to break Tengku Djan’s domination on the series.
