KUALA LUMPUR (5 JANUARY 2022) : The Malaysia Esports Federation (MESF) has selected two drivers, Naquib Azlan and Nabil Azlan, to compete in IUEM eRacing GP by RaceRoom, a competition title at the South East Asia eSports Championships (SEA EC). It’s the first time there will be a sim racing component at the SEA EC.
Naquib and Nabil dominated the Malaysian National Qualifiers held on the 3rd of January to take the top two spots from Ayman Aqeem, who finished third. Naquib, who is the older brother, won after taking the lead two-thirds of the way into the race.
Naquib is a two-time eRacing GP Gold Class champion while Nabil, always hot on the heels of his older brother in eRacing GP, added to his own credentials when he finished third in the Toyota Gazoo Racing Velocity Esports Championships last year.
“I’m super proud and honoured to represent Malaysia alongside my brother Nabil. It’s a great opportunity for both of us to show what we can do against some of the region’s best.” said Naquib.
The top two drivers from seven Southeast Asian countries will compete in the final on the 9th of January. Other countries that make up the entry list include Indonesia, Thailand, Brunei, Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines.
Former Formula One driver and founder of eRacing GP, Alex Yoong, said “I’m super excited. It’s the first time we have eracing as part of the South East Asian eSports Championships so it’s the first time we’re seeing the motorsport component as part of these esports games. It’s going to be interesting with all the countries from around the region sending their best drivers.”
Drivers to look out for include 17-year old Inigo Anton from the Philippines who, besides winning numerous sim racing tournaments, was crowned champion in the Sporting Class at the Toyota Gazoo Racing Vios Cup in July 2021. Another fierce competitor is Singapore’s Dillan Tan, who is only 13 years old but has challenged the best of the best for podium positions. A crowd favourite is likely to be 10-year-old Axel Nocom, who is the youngest driver in the competition.
Competitors from each country will race in the Z-Challenger Audi RS3 in their nation’s colours over three rounds on the day of competition. Winners will receive prize money from a pool of $10,000 while fans of sim racing will be able to catch the finals live on Astro’s eGG Network from 11.45am on Sunday.
The SEA EC is hosted by Vietnam and is taking place from the 2nd to the 16th of January. The main event welcomes 52 teams from 10 esports federations in Southeast Asia that will compete for a prize pool of $140,000.
