GT World Challenge Asia Powered by AWS – Rounds 5 and 6, Chang International Circuit, Thailand

It was another strong weekend for the new-look Johor Motorsports Racing Team at the fifth and sixth rounds of the GT World Challenge Asia at Buriram, Thailand, with the team claiming a memorable race win, a race podium, and jumping to the top of the driver championship standings.

Behind the wheel of the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R, His Highness Tunku Abdul Rahman Al-Haj Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, Tunku Panglima of Johor (HH Prince Jefri Ibrahim) and Englishman Ben Green held off a number of challenges throughout Sunday’s Pro-Am race to take victory.

The weekend got off to a brilliant start for JMR, with Green seeing a scorching qualifying lap around the 4.5km Chang International Circuit to claim pole position for Sunday’s race.

Green’s efforts set the scene for a clean race; he was able to stay clear of early on-track dramas behind him and put in a consistent performance in the opening stunt before handing the #99 car to Prince Jefri Ibrahim.

The Malaysian prince then kept his eyes focused forward and withstood pressure from behind for much of the race to claim his second victory of the year.

The win capped off a near-perfect weekend for the duo, having already raced to a hard-fought second-place result in Saturday’s chaotic fifth round.

As a result of the two top performances, Prince Jefri Ibrahim has now leapt to the top of the GT World Challenge Asia driver points standings, holding a handy 62-point lead at the midway point of the season.

There were contrasting fortunes for the #66 car driven by HH Tunku Abu Bakar Al-Haj Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, Tunku Putera of Johor (HH Prince Abu Bakar Ibrahim) and Australian Jordan Love.

Prince Abu Bakar Ibrahim set a third-fastest qualifying time in the Corvette, but opening-lap incidents around him during Saturday’s race saw him lose several placings. A late drive-through penalty for the Australian Jordan Love saw the car drop from P4 to P8.

Sunday’s race was even tougher for the driver pairing, with Love experiencing rear brake failure late in his stunt, forcing the team to retire the car at the halfway mark.
Rounds seven and eight of the GT World Challenge Asia will be held at the Fuji International Speedway in Japan on 11-13 July.

HH Prince Jefri Ibrahim: “Thanks to Ben and all the people who put the car in a good spot and worked so hard. It was an unfortunate weekend for our sister car, but I was just trying to keep my head down and finish the race at the front of the pack today. I feel like I got some redemption from Indonesia and hopefully we can continue fighting for this points’ lead. I really enjoyed this weekend and I couldn’t ask for more.”

Ben Green: “That was a great race, and it started yesterday with us securing pole position for today’s round. It was tough out there and it was a challenge to stay within the track limits, but Jefri did a fantastic job to bring it home. I’m super-proud of him and what the team has achieved this weekend.”

Jordan Love: “The sister car did really well and it was great to see them take another trophy home today. Unfortunately, we had a rear brake failure in Sunday’s race, but we managed to get back to the pits safely. We can’t seem to catch a break at the moment with some bad luck and yesterday not being a great day. It’s disappointing, but that’s the way the sport goes sometimes.”

Results – 2025 GT World Challenge Australia, Chang International Circuit

Qualifying:
Ben Green – P3
HH Prince Abu Bakar Ibrahim – P3
HH Prince Jefri Ibrahim – P6
Jordan Love – P6

Race 1:
HH Prince Jefri Ibrahim/Ben Green – P2

HH Prince Abu Bakar Ibrahim /Jordan Love – P8

Race 2:
Ben Green/HH Prince Jefri Ibrahim – P1
Jordan Love/HH Prince Abu Bakar Ibrahim – DNF