JMR and Tunku Abdul Rahman Light Up GT World Challenge Asia 2025
By Izhar Safuan
Beijing, China - The roar of engines may have faded for the season, but the legacy of Malaysia's Johor Motorsport Racing (JMR) in the 2025 GT World Challenge Asia Powered by AWS is cemented in silver and bronze. At the close of a fiercely competitive season, JMR's leading driver, Tunku Panglima of Johor, Tunku Abdul Rahman Sultan Ibrahim, clinched the coveted Pro-Am Vice-Champion title and a stellar third place in the overall GT World Challenge standings.
The Malaysian royal, partnered with Ben Green in the #99 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R, showcased a campaign of remarkable consistency and blistering pace, a testament to the team's first year fielding the powerful Corvette machinery.
A Season Defined by Victory and Resilience
The JMR squad, which also fielded the #66 Corvette for Tunku Putera Johor Tunku Abu Bakar Sultan Ibrahim and Alexander Sims, proved to be a dominant force, particularly in race victories. The #99 car, in the hands of Tunku Abdul Rahman and his co-drivers, secured stunning race wins at circuits including their home race at Sepang International Circuit, Chang International Circuit in Thailand, and Fuji International Speedway in Japan.
The final round at the brand-new Beijing Street Circuit brought the championship to a dramatic and close-run finale. The JMR Corvettes delivered a heroic double-podium performance in the final two races, underscoring the team's relentless fight to the very end.
In the opening race of the final weekend, the #66 Corvette driven by Tunku Abu Bakar and Sims charged to an impressive second-place finish.
The championship decider, which ended under Safety Car conditions, saw Tunku Abdul Rahman and Green bring the #99 Corvette home in second place, sealing the Vice-Champion title.
Mixed Emotions at the Checkered Flag
Reflecting on the final race, Tunku Abdul Rahman expressed mixed emotions at coming so close to the ultimate prize.
"The emotions are everywhere at the moment. I would've loved to have won; we had the chance and we were so close, but we couldn't do anything or fight being under safety car for a lot of the race," he said in a statement. "Nonetheless, I'm really grateful for the team."
He was quick to praise the entire operation for their phenomenal work in their debut year with the new car. "It was our first year with the Corvettes, the team did an amazing job, and it's been a pleasure to work alongside them. Today wasn't our day, but we showed everyone what we're capable of, and that's something we should all be proud of."
Tunku Abu Bakar also celebrated the team's strong finish: "2025 has been a tough season for me, but I'm happy to finish it strongly with podiums at the last couple of races. There's still plenty for us to work on, and I'm already looking forward to next season."
The spectacular result of JMR's third place in the overall GT World Challenge Teams' standings and Tunku Abdul Rahman's personal championship honours mark a significant step forward for Malaysian motorsport on the international GT stage.
With the GT World Challenge Asia season concluded, JMR will now shift its focus to the Asian Le Mans Series, beginning with their home round at the Sepang International Circuit in December.