Can Our Proton Suprima Become a Hot Wheels Legend?

Back in Malaysia for its third year (in collaboration with Art of Speed Malaysia), the Hot Wheels™ Legends Tour is the world’s largest travelling car show. This is one of the stops in the search for the next custom vehicle worthy of being immortalised as a 1:64 scale Hot Wheels® die-cast vehicle.

The Race to be Immortalised

2022 is the fifth year of this global Hot Wheels® competition, with Malaysian hobbyists joining other enthusiasts from USA, Canada, Spain, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, as well as new additions Indonesia and the Philippines. This is the race to be immortalised as the next die-cast vehicle available for sale in more than 150 countries around the world.

The Malaysian leg of the competition saw 204 entries, a 25% increase over last year and a hint of the thriving car enthusiast community in the country. The Malaysian finals, held in collaboration with Art of Speed Malaysia, were judged by Bryan Benedict, Design Director of Die-Cast Vehicles for the Hot Wheels® and Matchbox® Brands; and Brendon Vetuskey, current lead designer of Hot Wheels® Monster Trucks and Red Line Club vehicles; and joined by guest judges: Tengku Djan, DEV JBC, and Ahirine Ahirudin. The entries were judged on Authenticity, the embodiment of Hot Wheels®; Creativity, a never-before-seen uniqueness; and Garage Spirit, exemplifying the “built not bought” attitude.

William Chong, a trailer truck technician from Negeri Sembilan, was picked as this year’s winner to represent Malaysia at the Global Semi-Finals.

Unique Spin

It was William Chong’s unique spin on his 2015 Proton Suprima S that broke through and clinched the top spot. “One of the things that I really love about working on these international Hot Wheels™ Legends events is that we are exposed to cars, culture, and brands that we don’t normally get to see. This [design] is just off the charts, super cool. With the body kit, the slammed to the ground stance, and spoiler, this thing would make a great Hot Wheels® all the way. Completely, authentically, Hot Wheels®,” said Brendon Vetuskey about Chong’s entry.

Chong was up against a great mix of car models from across the globe. The other local finalists were:

• Izat Emir Bin Embong (2018 Toyota Alphard)
• Abdul Hadi Nasrallah Bin Ahmad Ridzuan (1970 Datsun Laurel C130)
• Eiadywan Bin Sakroni (2015 Mitsubishi Triton)
• Toon Chin Yee (1979 Toyota Landcruiser HJ45)
• Mohd Saifful Bin Mohd Razuan (2012 VW Scirocco)
• Mohamad Hezri Bin Abdul Gani (1989 Daihatsu)
• Muhammad Fakhrullah Bin Zulkifli (2002 Perodua Kancil Custom)
• Mohd Faiza Bin Arshad (2003 Proton Arena)
• Chan Soon Aun (2017 Mercedes CLA 250)
• Norman Ng (2014 Porsche Boxster 981)
• Darmah Raj (1997 Honda NSX).

Sofyan Darmadi (1969 Vandetta VW Beetle) was selected as the special guest pick by Tengku Djan.

“It’s really cool to me to see the unique car culture there is in Malaysia. There’re unique brands like Proton and Perodua that we don’t see in the US and there’s a unique spin that people put on things that I find really intriguing. They’re done in a unique way that is distinctly Malaysian and I love that. I think that there’s a certain whimsy that I see in the Malaysian entries that’s exciting and in the spirit of what Hot Wheels® Legends is all about,” said Bryan Benedict on the Malaysian entries.

As the winner of the Malaysian leg of the Hot Wheels™ Legends Tour, the 2015 Proton Suprima S will go head-to-head in the Hot Wheels® Legends virtual Global Semi-Finals this 11th November 2022. Chong will face off against the other winners from across the world for a spot in the Global Grand Finale on 13th November 2022.

“I can’t believe my car been chosen to represent Malaysia at the Global Semi-Finals of the Hot Wheels™ Legends Tour. What an honour! I’ve poured so much of myself into this build so to hear that the judges think it is cool and unique is a great feeling,” said William Chong. “I hope I can make Malaysia proud!”

Your Chance to Vote

And for the first time in Hot Wheels™ Legends Tour history, the brand is launching the Regional Fan Favourite programme for winners in the Asia Pacific region. Fans will be able to vote on Hot Wheels® social media channels for their favourite design and the winner will have their custom build creation transformed into a one-of-a-kind (OOAK) limited-run die-cast vehicle. The winner for this programme will be announced at the Global Grand Finale.

Join in the fun at the 2022 Hot Wheels™ Legends Tour Virtual Global Semi-Finals and show your support for William Chong and his 2015 Proton Suprima S build! Tune in to the livestream this Friday, 11th November 2022 at 9 am and show your support.

The livestream will be available @ www.facebook.com/hotwheels/.