Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) has announced the start
of its 2024 motorsports season, with new developments to celebrate its racing
series’ tenth season. This year, the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Vios Cup (TGR Vios
Cup), its premier one-make-race (OMR) series, will be held as the TOYOTA GAZOO
Racing Philippine Cup (TGR Philippine Cup), signifying a new chapter in the
country’s racing scene.
The TGR Philippine Cup will be held over three race
weekends that are open to the public — July 13 for Race Weekend 1, September 28
for Race Weekend 2 and November 9 for Race Weekend 3. All three race weekends
will be held at the Clark International Speedway in Mabalacat, Pampanga.
TMP launched its racing series in 2014 with the goal of bringing the thrill of motorsports closer to Filipino racing fans by inviting professional and amateur homegrown racers to race the locally made fan-favorite sedan, the Toyota Vios, in its OMR form. Now in its 10th edition, the annual motorsports event is expanding to provide ever-better experiences for fans with more activities to look out for.
New name, more racing excitement
New and returning racers from various racing teams
across the country will compete in the TGR Philippine Cup Sprint Race under the
three categories — the Promotional Class, Sporting Class and Super Sporting
Class — to determine the best of the best in Philippine motorsports.
Participating in the Sporting Class as part of the TGR Philippines team is
actor and host Ryan Agoncillo, while actor Troy Montero continues his bid for
the Super Sporting championship.
Celebrity, influencer and media racers who showed
exceptional skill in the previous editions’ Autocross Challenge have been
promoted to a new sprint race category — the Novice Class. Making their circuit
race debut at the TGR Philippine Cup are Reph Bangsil and Lexi Mendiola.
Joining them is sim racer Russel Reyes, and media racers Pablo Salapantan, Jose
Altoveros, Jamil Lacuna and John Rey San Diego. A surprise driver will also be
taking on the challenge!
All classes will go wheel-to-wheel in both the sprint
race and the Endurance Race. Previously known as the Grand Prix during the 2024
TGR Vios Cup, the Endurance Race is a 1.5-hour circuit race that will exhibit
the capabilities of the Vios OMR. The Sprint Race, previously known as the
Circuit Championship, is a 12-lap or 30-minute race that will test the skill of
the drivers. Both formats will hold a qualifying to set the starting grid.
The Autocross Challenge, a time-attack format slalom
race, will soon be opened to more drivers and audiences through a separate TGR
tour that will be announced separately.
Thrilling activities for fans
Now for those who want to experience the thrill of the
racetracks themselves, Toyota will be holding a track day for TGR car club
members! During the track day, participants will get exclusive access to the
Clark International Speedway and get a chance to drive their GR vehicle on the
racetrack. Registration will be announced soon on TGR PH’s online channels.
E-racing enthusiasts will also get a chance to
showcase their driving skills on the virtual tracks through the TGR GT Cup
experience booth! Interested participants can try their hand at setting the
fastest lap for a chance to win a prize!
The TGR Philippine Cup will also feature a driving
exhibition by professional drifters using the GR 86. And even more exciting is
the opportunity for eventgoers to win a shotgun ride via raffle! The winner
will get to ride in the passenger’s seat of the GR 86 and experience being
drifted around a slalom course on the track.
There will be freebies and prizes up for grabs during
the event, official GR merchandise for sale, GR road cars on display and for
test drive, and even a special live stage by a musical guest.
“In 2014,
TMP launched its motorsports program dedicated to producing high-performance
cars, activating exciting motorsports events, and creating unique experiences
for fans,” shared TMP First Vice President for Vehicle Sales Operations, Mr.
Danny Cruz. “Our hope for this new chapter of Toyota motorsports in the Philippines
is to elevate the experience even further for fans by providing them with more
ways to enjoy TOYOTA GAZOO Racing.”
The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Philippine Cup is brought to
you by Official Fuel Parter Petron and Official Tire Partner GT Radial, and in
cooperation with Official Timekeeper Seiko. This event is also supported by
Toyota Financial Services Philippines, myTOYOTA Wallet, Denso, AVT, 3M, ROTA,
Tuason Racing, OMP, and Kinto One.
For more information on the TGR Philippine Cup, visit https://toyota.com.ph/tgrphilippines.
Follow TOYOTA GAZOO Racing on Facebook
and Instagram
and TMP’s official pages—Toyota Motor Philippines on Facebook
and Instagram,
ToyotaMotorPH on Twitter, and join the Viber
community at Toyota PH for updates.
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