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The PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit saw the return of high-octane motorsport as the Porsche ARBox Carrera Cup Asia (PACCA) held its triple-header weekend from 21 to 23 August
Organised locally by Sime Darby Auto Performance, the event hosted Rounds 9, 10, and 11 of the 2026 season. The high-stakes weekend featured two sprint races and the championship's sole endurance race on the iconic 5.543-kilometre circuit.
Competing across various international tracks in Shanghai, Zhuhai, Fuji, and Bangsaen, drivers faced extreme physical conditions at Sepang. Cockpit temperatures frequently exceeded 40 degrees Celsius due to intense heat and tropical humidity. Unpredictable downpours further tested driver strategy and decision-making on track.
In its 23rd season, the premier regional one-make championship saw drivers competing in identical Porsche 911 Cup (992.2) race cars.
Malaysian racing prodigy Naquib Azlan led the charge for Team Porsche Malaysia in the PRO category
Driving car number 17, the 26-year-old transitioned from virtual sim racing to professional motorsport after winning the Driven Dreamers category at the Porsche Esports Sprint Challenge Malaysia 2025. His debut season has yielded multiple pole positions, lap records, and a podium finish at Fuji International Speedway.
In Round 9, Naquib clinched an impressive P2 at the end of the sprint race. However, his best performance was on full display in Rounds 10 and 11.
Naquib started from dead last in Rounds 10 and 11 of PACCA 2026, putting the home star at a massive disadvantage. However, in Round 10, he maintained his composure and clawed his way back to P7 from P29, overtaking 22 cars in 30 minutes.
In Round 11, Naquib delivered a generational performance. The endurance race lasted almost an hour, giving him more time to battle his rivals. He eventually finished P5 after a gruelling race, having overtaken 24 drivers along the way.
Naquib Azlan receiving the Most Position Gained award.
Image via Syazwan Bahri/SAYSSAYS managed to speak to Naquib and understand more about his spectacular drive over the weekend
Naquib faced multiple challenges earlier in the season, with some races resulting in DNFs (Did Not Finish) due to unfortunate collisions with the other drivers. However, his performance at the Sepang International Circuit was phenomenal.
"If I'm honest, I was merely a passenger who got involved due to others' mistakes in almost all the incidents before Round 9," he told SAYS.
"Nevertheless, it was all about never giving up and making sure we learned from all those instances," he added.
Naquib Azlan (first from left), alongside Race 9 winner Marco Giltrap and 2nd runner-up Maceo Capietto.
Image via Syazwan Bahri/SAYSWhen asked about his performance in Rounds 10 and 11, where he overtook more than half the field, he said that he enjoyed the race.
"It was some fun out there," Naquib said.
"Obviously, our starting point was far from ideal, but we kept composed and were confident in our abilities, and took it one step at a time," he added.
Heading into the final race of the PACCA 2026 season, Naquib said he felt confident thanks to his stellar drive at Sepang.
"It's a big confidence boost," Naquib said, referring to his performance in Rounds 9, 10, and 11.
"It's the first weekend we have completed without being victims of any incidents during the races, and good to show the pace we had on track. Definitely will bring this momentum into Singapore," he told SAYS.
He also expressed interest in pursuing GT racing.
"Time will tell, really, but I will definitely stick to GT racing," concluded Naquib.
Alongside the track action, virtual racing took centre stage with the grand finale of the Porsche Esports Sprint Challenge Malaysia 2026
The top 10 virtual racers across Junior, Young, Driven, and Female Dreamers categories competed on a digital replica of the Sepang circuit. Attendees also explored a special display of historic 911 Cup race cars, tracing the evolution of Porsche's customer racing history.
Following the Sepang round, the Porsche ARBox Carrera Cup Asia season will wrap up with its final races in Singapore from 9 to 12 October.
