KUALA LUMPUR: Simulation racing, or sim racing, may be a relatively niche sport in Malaysia, but one young enthusiast is determined to help steer it into the spotlight.
Sim racing is a form of virtual motorsport that uses realistic racing games and specialised equipment, such as steering wheels and pedals, to recreate the experience of driving on an actual racetrack.
As the sport gains traction internationally, Malaysian sim racer Dhanesh Wigneswaran hopes to nurture the next generation of local talent through his DannyR Esports Studio in Subang Jaya.
And he is leading by example. This December, the 26-year-old will compete in the Gran Turismo World Series (GTWS) 2026 World Finals in Tokyo as the only racer from Southeast Asia.
“It’s been an amazing experience so far. There are some very nice and professional racing setups in the World Series, and they’ve really created a conducive and comfortable environment here,” Dhanesh told FMT Lifestyle.
“The vibes have also been great. It’s been wonderful getting to meet some of the top sim racers in the world, learning from them and hanging out with them.”
Dhanesh is already well established in the local Gran Turismo scene, with achievements including championship titles at the Unleashed Youth Sim Racing and GT7 Malaysia Esports League competitions last year.
He is currently representing Volkswagen in the Manufacturers Cup, in which sim racers compete on behalf of major car brands. Drivers race virtual versions of their respective manufacturers’ cars, earning points throughout the series.
The competition begins with six online rounds to determine the 12 manufacturers that advance, followed by live rounds in Milan, Tokyo and Singapore. The season culminates in the world finals in Tokyo.
This is Dhanesh’s second appearance at a World Series Finals, having previously represented Malaysia in the Nations Cup in 2023.
“I enjoy driving with Volkswagen because their car, the Beetle Gr.3, has very good acceleration and fuel consumption. It also sticks well to the road when we take high-speed corners. It’s very balanced overall,” he said.
Dhanesh’s road to the Tokyo finals began with the GTWS Online Series in January, where he emerged as Volkswagen’s highest-scoring driver in the Asia-Oceania region and helped the manufacturer finish 11th overall.
He later faced a setback in the second live round in Tokyo, finishing 12th after his car struggled in adverse weather conditions.
Undeterred, Dhanesh is aiming to bounce back when he returns for the finals, where he hopes to score as many points as possible for Volkswagen and help secure a top-six finish.
“The sport is actually a major mental game: the important thing is to stay focused. It’s easy to see the track and all the big names participating and get intimidated, but you can’t do that,” he said.
“I always remember is that if I can do it in training, I can do it in the real event as well.”
Although Japanese drivers dominate much of the Asia-Oceania field, Dhanesh said he didn't encounter many difficulties competing alongside them.
Language can occasionally be a barrier because of his limited Japanese, but most of his fellow racers have been friendly and welcoming. And while they may be fierce rivals on the virtual racetrack, many have become good friends away from it.
While he prepares for December with almost daily practice sessions, Dhanesh is also devoting time to developing potential new racers.
He believes interest in the sport has grown following the recent Citrawarna Speed Festival 2026 in Putrajaya, which featured a large-scale racing simulator competition.
“I’m very impressed at the level of sim-racing talent I’m seeing now in Malaysia. You have many fast up-and-coming sim racers who are performing well at home, and I believe they can perform very well in live events,” Dhanesh said.
“I hope the sport enjoys more attention soon. It’s great fun with great prizes, and it’s the best way to get introduced to real car racing.”
Learn more about DannyR Esports Studio on Instagram.