Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) kicked off an exciting season of motorsports events in 2023 with the local round of the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Gran Turismo Cup Philippines (TGR GT Cup PH) on June 28, 2023. Additionally, the first leg of the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Vios Cup 2023 (TGR Vios Cup) took place on July 1, 2023, marking the beginning of a series of events.
Eager e-motorsport fans from across the country gathered to witness the first round of the 2023 TGR GT Cup PH, which was the initial qualifying round of three. The thrilling event took place on June 28, 2023, and featured the Tsukuba Circuit racetrack, with the GR 86 serving as the simulation car for the race.
The TGR GT Cup Philippines showcased a mix of first-time participants and seasoned veterans in this season’s competition. Notable achievements include David Enzo Ison securing first place in the Junior Class, Stanley Theodore Golez emerging as the Promotional Class champion, and past champion Luis Moreno reclaiming his title as the Sporting Class Champion.
In the Junior Class, Joshua David Marquez and Russo Gabriel Formoso secured the second and third spots, respectively. Deigo Herrera and Benedict Salido followed closely behind Golez in the Promotional Class. Lastly, Matthew Spencer Ang and Russel Reyes took the second and third spots, respectively, in the Sporting Class.
Fans can catch the broadcast of TGR GT Cup Philippines Round 2 on July 14, 2023, which will be streamed on the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Philippines Facebook page. The stream will commence at 7 PM. For those interested in participating, registration for the third and final local round is still open. Players will need a Sony PlayStation 4 or 5, an active PSN Account, and a PS Plus Subscription. Registration can be done through toyota.com.ph/gtcup.
The atmosphere at the grandstand of Clark International Speedway (CIS) was filled with the exhilarating sound of cheers from passionate motorsports enthusiasts during the opening leg of the 2023 TGR Vios Cup on July 1, 2023. The spectators eagerly supported their favorite racers and racing teams, creating an electric atmosphere at the event.
At the Clark International Speedway (CIS), TMP President Atsuhiro Okamoto warmly greeted the racers and fans, acknowledging their significant role within the growing TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Philippines family.
He expressed gratitude to all participants, racing teams, fans, and supporters for their continuous support throughout the Vios Cup’s history, and he emphasized their importance in the program’s future development. Okamoto specifically highlighted the upcoming era of carbon neutrality in motorsports, underscoring the commitment to sustainability.
The first leg of this season’s TGR Vios Cup also marked the debut of the Corolla Altis GR-S HEV, known as the Hybrid Electric Racer. The Corolla Altis GR-S HEV served as the safety car for this season, showcasing the integration of hybrid technology within the motorsports event.
The Circuit Championship races saw Team Toyota Cebu making an impressive start, with Jarond Mesina and Ian Rosales securing the top positions in the Promotional and Super Sporting classes, respectively. Meanwhile, Toyota Balintawak Inc. – Obengers Racing Team dominated the Sporting Class podium with newcomer Bern Corpino taking the top spot.
In the Promotional class, Alain Alzona of Toyota General Santos – Chooks-to-Go Racing claimed second place, followed by Bong Garbes of Inbox Toyota San Fernando in third. In the Sporting class, Michael Keilani Jordan and Maila Alivia secured the second and third positions, respectively. Gerard Loy and Bryan Co of R Racing Team completed the podium spots in the Super Sporting Class.
The strong performances of these teams and drivers showcased their skill and competitiveness in the races, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.
The Autocross Challenge witnessed thrilling turns and dashes as media personalities and influencers gave their all on the track. Pattice Tenorio of Zigwheels, a Vios Cup rookie, emerged as the champion in the Media Promotional Class. Cesar Miguel from Philkotse secured second place, with Riz Javier from Top Gear taking the third spot.
In the Media Sporting Class, Siegwald Go claimed the top position, with newcomers Justin Young from Visor coming in second and John Rey San Diego from Autocar Philippines finishing third.
The Promotional Influencer Class showcased an all-female podium finish, with Bianca Yao as the champion, followed by Arianne Bautista and Apple David in second and third places, respectively.
Miguel Romulo showcased remarkable progress in the new season, securing first place in the Sporting Influencer Class. Lexi Mendiola and Reph Bangsil followed closely in second and third places.
The exceptional performances of these media personalities and influencers added to the excitement of the event, demonstrating their skill and passion for motorsports.
See the full list of winners here:
CIRCUIT CHAMPIONSHIP
| PROMOTIONAL CLASS |
| Champion | JAROND MESINA | TOYOTA TEAM CEBU |
| 2nd Place | ALAIN ALZONA | TOYOTA GENERAL SANTOS – CHOOKS-TO-GO RACING TEAM |
| 3rd Place | BONG GARBES | INBOX TOYOTA SAN FERNANDO |
| SPORTING CLASS |
| Champion | BERN CORPINO | TOYOTA BALINTAWAK, INC. – OBENGERS RANCING TEAM |
| 2nd Place | MICHAEL KEILANI JORDAN | TOYOTA OTIS, INC. – OBENGERS RACING TEAM |
| 3rd Place | MAILA ALIVIA | JBT RACING / TOYOTA ISABELA |
| SUPER SPORTING CLASS |
| Champion | IAN ROSALES | TOYOTA TEAM CEBU |
| 2nd Place | GERARD LOY | R RACING TEAM |
| 3rd Place | BRYAN CO | R RACING TEAM |
AUTOCROSS CHALLENGE
| PROMOTIONAL MEDIA |
| Champion | PATRICIA TENORIO | ZIGWHEELS |
| 2nd Place | CESAR MIGUEL | PHILKOTSE |
| 3rd Place | RIZ JAVIER | TOP GEAR PHILIPPINES |
| SPORTING MEDIA |
| Champion | SIEGWALD GO | C! MAGAZINE |
| 2nd Place | JUSTIN YOUNG | VISOR |
| 3rd Place | JOHN REY SAN DIEGO | AUTOCAR PHILIPPINES |
| PROMOTIONAL INFLUENCER |
| Champion | BIANCA YAO |
| 2nd Place | ARIANNE BAUTISTA |
| 3rd Place | APPLE DAVID |
| SPORTING INFLUENCER |
| Champion | MIGUEL ROMULO |
| 2nd Place | LEXI MENDIOLA |
| 3rd Place | REPH BANGSIL |
The 2023 TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Vios Cup is proudly organized in collaboration with Bridgestone and Petron. This exciting motorsports event also receives support from sponsors such as Denso, 3M, AVT, ROTA, OMP, Tuason Racing, myTOYOTA Wallet, and Kinto One.
The TGR GT Cup and TGR Vios Cup are two of the prominent motorsports events offered by TOYOTA GAZOO Racing and TMP (Toyota Motor Philippines). These events aim to promote and elevate the world of motorsports in the country, both on the tracks and in the online sphere. With these thrilling activities, TGR continues to push boundaries and set new standards for the betterment of the sport.
For more information on the exciting TGR activities, please visit toyota.com.ph/gazoo. Stay updated by following TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Philippines on Facebook and Instagram, as well as TMP’s official social media pages—Toyota Motor Philippines on Facebook and Instagram, and ToyotaMotorPH on Twitter. Don’t forget to join the Toyota Viber community at ToyotaPH for the latest updates.
