PHILIPPINES l JULY 10, 2021: Toyota Motor Philippines’ (TMP) premier motorsports program, now called the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Vios Cup, made a historic comeback after a year’s hiatus with new and familiar names battling for this race weekend’s podium finishes and awards.

Kicking off the season with a surprise appearance of the GR Yaris driven by TMP President Mr. Atsuhiro Okamoto, 24 Autocross racers and 24 Circuit racers across 3 race classes competed at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga this July 9 and 10 and raced their way to the finish line as the online community shared the thrill and excitement real-time.

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Vios Cup launches the 2021 season with an action-packed race weekend

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Vios Cup launches the 2021 season with an action-packed race weekend

TMP announced the return of the Vios Cup early this year, much to the excitement of racing veterans, aspiring and rookie drivers, and other motorsports enthusiasts. While there are no public spectators for this race weekend to enforce safety protocols for the participants, TMP livestreamed the racing events to let more motorsports fans cheer and support their favorite racers safely from their homes.

During the first race weekend of the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Vios Cup, racing fans witnessed the comeback of veteran racers, celebrities, and media representatives, as well as new faces competing in the Autocross Challenge and Circuit Championship formats at the Clark International Speedway, one of the country’s premier racing circuits.

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Vios Cup launches the 2021 season with an action-packed race weekend

“Toyota Gazoo Racing is all about pushing the limits for the better. We had to hit the brakes due to the pandemic last year, but now we are back with an even more exciting race!” Okamoto remarked during the opening ceremonies “So here we are today at the Clark International Speedway, returning with the ever-reliable Vios. This Filipino-made car is really fun to drive on the daily and at the tracks. With hope for better days ahead and maximum safety protocols, we move forward and race on!”

A total of 24 drivers in Promotional, Sporting, and Super Sporting Class competed in the Circuit Championship. Maila Alivia and Jiro Garbes ended this race weekend with 2 out of 3 races at the podium for the Promotional Class while celebrity racers turned Promotional Class contenders Troy Montero and Fabio Ide had one podium finish each as well. Familiar names dominate the Sporting Class, with Inigo Anton and Julian Tang as consistent top 3 finishers, and Joaquin Garrido being displaced by Jacob Ang in the top 3 by the 3rd race of the weekend. For the Super Sporting Class, Gerard Loy is the consistent podium placer, meanwhile Estefano Rivera and Red Diwa finished at the top 3 in the first 2 races with Bryan Co and Marc Soong taking their place by the 3rd race.

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Vios Cup launches the 2021 season with an action-packed race weekend

Meanwhile, actor Alex Diaz dominated the tracks in the Autocross Challenge Celebrities and Influencers Class, followed by TV star John Manalo and social media personality Jules Aquino. Jose Altoveros was hailed the champion in the Media class with with Ian Magbanua and Inigo Roces in 2nd and 3rd, respectively.

Here’s the complete list of the winners of the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Vios Cup 2021 Circuit Championship and Autocross Challenge:

CIRCUIT CHAMPIONSHIP RACE 1

Promotional Class

RankNameTeam
1Maila AliviaJBT Racing / Toyota Isabela
2Jiro GarbesJBT Racing / Toyota San Fernando
3Julia Delos AngelesTSJ – Obengers Racing Team

Sporting Class

RankNameTeam
1Inigo AntonToyota North EDSA – Obengers Racing Team
2Julian TangToyota Marilao – Obengers Racing Team
3Joaquin GarridoToyota Otis – Obengers Racing Team

Super Sporting Class

RankNameTeam
1Estefano RiveraToyota Balintawak – Obengers Racing Team
2Gerard LoyR Racing / Toyota Dagupan
3Red DiwaJBT Racing / Toyota Isabela

CIRCUIT CHAMPIONSHIP RACE 2

Promotional Class

RankNameTeam
1Troy MonteroTeam TOYOTA GAZOO Racing PH
2Maila AliviaJBT Racing / Toyota Isabela
3Jason LaoOTR Racing Team

Sporting Class

RankNameTeam
1 Julian TangToyota Marilao – Obengers Racing Team
2 Joaquin GarridoToyota Otis – Obengers Racing Team
3 Inigo AntonToyota North EDSA – Obengers Racing Team

Super Sporting Class

RankNameTeam
1 Gerard LoyR Racing / Toyota Dagupan
2 Red DiwaJBT Racing / Toyota Isabela
3 Estefano RiveraToyota Balintawak – Obengers Racing Team

CIRCUIT CHAMPIONSHIP RACE 3

Promotional Class

RankNameTeam
1 Jiro GarbesJBT Racing / Toyota San Fernando
2 Fabio IdeTeam TOYOTA GAZOO Racing PH
3 Royce SarmientoRMS Cars Racing Team

Sporting Class

RankNameTeam
1 Inigo AntonToyota North EDSA – Obengers Racing Team
2 Jacob AngEagle Cement Racing Team
3 Julian TangToyota Marilao – Obengers Racing Team

Super Sporting

RankNameTeam
1 Gerard LoyR Racing / Toyota Dagupan
2 Bryan CoFILA Make A Wish Obengers Racing Team
3 Marc SoongR Racing / Toyota Dagupan

AUTOCROSS CHALLENGE

Media Class

RankNameTeam
1Jose AltoverosAutoindustriya.com
2Ian MagbanuaTop Gear Philippines
3Inigo RocesManila Bulletin

Celebrity/Influencers Class

RankNameTeam
1Alex DiazTeam TOYOTA GAZOO Racing PH
2John ManaloTeam TOYOTA GAZOO Racing PH
3Jules AquinoTeam TOYOTA GAZOO Racing PH

Rewatch the action from this weekend on our official Facebook and Youtube channels – Toyota Motor Philippines and Toyota Gazoo Racing PH.

The heart-pumping thrill never stops as your favorite racers Team TOYOTA GAZOO Racing PH head on to the next race weekend! The next legs of the race will happen on September 11 and November 6. 

The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Vios Cup 2021 was organized in cooperation with Bridgestone, official fuel partner Petron, supported by Motul. Other sponsors are Brembo, Denso, AVT, 3M, OMP, Tuason Racing, and ROTA.

Liked this post? Follow SwirlingOverCoffee on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.