Team Malaysia will officially be sending two representatives in two different categories to the inaugural FIA Motorsport Games, which will take place at the Vallelunga Circuit, Rome, Italy from 1 to 3 November 2019.

While six categories will be competed at this year’s edition of the event, including the GT Cup, Touring Car Cup, Formula 4 Cup, Drifting Cup, Karting Slalom Cup, and Digital Cup. Malaysia’s duo of Adrian D’ Silva and Weiron Tan will be driving a Porsche GT3 run by Earl Bamber Motorsport in the GT Cup category.

Meanwhile, 31-year-old Mior Muhamad Hafiz, who recently became the champion of the eRacing Grand Prix SEA, will be competing in the Digital Cup category. The Digital Cup is an esports event, with racers competing in Polyphony Digital’s PS4 exclusive Gran Turismo Sport.

Mior Muhamad Hafiz

In an interview with Mior, he expressed how “excited” he felt about being the first-ever representative of Malaysia for the Digital Cup category at the FIA Motorsport Games. We also asked him to comment on the current state of eRacing and racing esports in the country.

He said:

“The proper authorities and governing bodies should provide more support and attention to eRacing (and racing esports) because it can help in developing the local motorsport industry.

There are many budding racers and racing enthusiasts in Malaysia, but they can’t afford to delve into professional racing because the costs are too high.

eRacing gives them an avenue and stepping stone into the industry, as eRacing isn’t too far off from real professional racing (with very few differences).

eRacing comes with its own set of unique challenges (knowledge and skills like racing lines and braking lines), just like real professional racing.”

Mior Muhamad Hafiz

Veteran local ex-professional driver Alex Yoong has been appointed as the Team Manager by the Motorsports Association Of Malaysia (MAM), with Team Malaysia’s two representatives to be officially managed by Yoong’s very own Axle Motorsports.

More than 39 nations will be competing at the FIA Motorsport Games, as the upcoming event will be employing an Olympic-style arrangement, where winners will be awarded gold, silver and bronze medals. Each medal will then contribute towards the final tally of each respective country.

Check out pictures from the Team Malaysia press conference held at Sepang International Circuit earlier today below: