ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando native Malbec Ramos, a rising star in the world of motorsports, has taken a significant step in his racing career by joining the Toyota GR Cup of North America series.
Ramos, who previously clinched the 2025 Central Florida Region Sports Car Club of America Spec Miata Championship, is driven by a passion for speed and adrenaline that has propelled him forward since childhood.
Ramos spent eight months racing a Spec Miata, a vehicle known for its 120-horsepower engine, before advancing to the GR Cup series.
“Honestly, it’s pretty nerve-wracking at first, but as soon as I get out on track, all those nerves go away. There is nothing else I’m worried about other than going extremely fast,” Ramos said.
His father, Charlie Ramos, expressed pride in his son’s achievements, noting that Malbec’s ultimate goal is to drive a hypercar for Toyota. Hypercars are the best of supercars, known for their performance and speed.
“This is the first step when it comes to professional racing. Toyota picks him and will make him move to North Carolina, where they train all their Toyota drivers all the way from the lower levels to NASCAR,” Charlie Ramos said.
To hone his skills, Ramos utilizes a racing simulator in his home, where he practices one to three hours daily. He works closely with his coach, Josmar Vasconcelos, an engineer who provides new setups for the simulator.
“I know the suspension, the engine system, the fuel, the brake system,” Vasconcelos said. “But I just explain to him, he puts it in the simulator, and he just beats the track record. So, it’s just impressive.”
Ramos’ journey is a testament to his dedication and the support of his family and coaching team, as he continues to race across the country and dreams of one day driving in the Great American Race, the Daytona 500.