Andika Rama takes the GR GT Cup Asia 2023 championship title.
In a display of virtual speed and skill, the GAZOO Racing (GR) GT Cup Asia 2023 drew to a thrilling close on Sunday, September 24, 2023. E-motorsports enthusiasts from across Asia were treated to an unforgettable day of competitive racing, as 15 local qualifiers from Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand battled it out for the coveted regional championship title and the chance to represent their region in the upcoming Global Finals.
This year’s GR GT Cup Asia introduced an exciting change to the race format, offering a total of three races played on PlayStation®’s “Gran Turismo 7.” Each race challenged the drivers in unique ways, with the cumulative points from all three races ultimately deciding the championship winner. The competition took place on iconic tracks, including Mount Panorama, the Tokyo Expressway, and the legendary Spa Francorchamps racetrack.
The first race, held at Mount Panorama, saw the drivers take on the challenge with GT Supra Gr.4 cars. A 5-minute time attack served as a qualifying round, determining the grid positions, followed by a thrilling 15-minute race. The second race, set on the Tokyo Expressway, saw the grid positions reversed from Race 1, with GR Corolla cars racing in a grueling 25-minute battle. The grand finale occurred at Spa Francorchamps, where drivers piloted the powerful GR010 Hybrid Hypercars. The third race also featured a 5-minute time attack qualifying round, concluding with a nail-biting 35-minute race amidst changing weather conditions.
In a spectacular display of skill and strategy, Indonesia’s Andika Rama emerged as the champion, amassing a total of 65 points. Rama showcased a patient and tactical approach, finishing 4th and 5th in the first two races before boldly seizing pole position in Race 3 amidst worsening weather conditions. Luis Moreno from the Philippines also demonstrated remarkable prowess, securing 6th and 4th place in earlier races and claiming pole position in Race 3’s qualifying round, ultimately finishing as the overall runner-up with 52 points.
Singapore’s Fadtris Isa and Malaysia’s Dhanesh Wigneswaran delivered impressive performances, though challenging weather conditions and pit strategy misjudgments impacted their standings in the championship.
The top two finalists, Andika Rama and Luis Moreno, will now move on to represent Asia in the Global Finals, scheduled for November in Barcelona, Spain.
Beyond the thrilling competition on the track, the fourth season of the GR GT Cup Asia in 2023 reaffirmed Toyota’s commitment to making e-motorsports accessible to enthusiasts of all ages. The event provided fans and participants with a visually captivating experience, with each participating country’s national colors inspiring livery designs.
With hearts full of excitement, the e-motorsports world now eagerly awaits the showdown at the Global Finals in Barcelona, where Andika Rama and Luis Moreno will represent Asia against the world’s finest e-Motorsport racers. The journey continues, and the competition promises to be fiercer than ever.
GR GT Cup Asia 2023 – Highlights of the Regional Finals
The action-packed day began at sunrise on Australia’s Mount Panorama, where Singapore’s 19-year-old Fadtris Isa secured pole position in a tight 5-minute qualifying round. In the 7-lap race, Isa’s remarkable performance led to an exhilarating victory, narrowly defeating Malaysians Taj Aiman and Dhanesh Wigneswaran.
The second race, held on Tokyo Expressway, saw Benaya Theo taking pole position and reclaiming his form after technical issues in the first race. A thrilling 11-lap battle ensued, with multiple position swaps on the tight street circuit. Benaya Theo ultimately triumphed, with Theo, Thanaphat Pungphat from Thailand, and Malaysia’s Chong Kai Chang securing the podium.
The competition reached its climax at Spa Francorchamps in Belgium, with Luis Moreno securing pole position. The race saw changing weather conditions and dramatic strategy choices, with Andika Rama making a perfectly timed pitstop and securing the victory. Dhanesh Wigneswaran put up a valiant effort in second place, closely followed by Moreno.
The top three racers and country teams received cash prizes, with Andika Rama earning 6,000 USD, Luis Moreno receiving 3,000 USD, and Fadtris Isa taking home 1,500 USD. In the team championship, Team Indonesia emerged as the champions, followed by Team Malaysia and Team Singapore.
The GR GT Cup Asia 2023 showcased the immense talent and competitive spirit of e-motorsports enthusiasts, promising even more thrilling races in the upcoming Global Finals.
