Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) launched this year’s season of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Vios Cup that was postponed for months due to restrictions brought upon by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Toyota Motor Philippines waves the green flag for the 2021 Vios Cup
The 2021 Toyota Gazoo Racing Vios Cup was held at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga last July 9 and 10. Joining the action-packed event were 24 Circuit racers across three race classes, namely the Promotional, Sporting, and Super Sporting. Media partners, celebrities, and influencers also participated in the tournament under the Autocross Challenge. All of the participants pitted or raced onboard a Toyota Vios.
Maila Alivia and Jiro Garbes of the Promotional Class dominated two out of three races, while celebrity racers such as Troy Montero and Fabio Ide managed to show up at the podium under the same class. Meanwhile, the Sporting Class hails Inigo Anton and Julian Tang as consistent top finishers in the competition.
Deserving winners get prizes
For the Super Sporting Class, Gerard Loy is the consistent podium placer, with Estefano Rivera and Red Diwa just trailing him. And as for the Autocross Challenge, Alex Diaz came out at the top in the Celebrity Class, while Jose Altoveros of Autoindustry.com leads the way in the Media Class.
TMP is not allowing any spectators at the Clark International Speedway for safety reasons. But interested individuals may catch the racing event’s second and third leg happening on September 11 and November 6 virtually, respectively.
“Toyota Gazoo Racing is all about pushing the limits for the better. We had to hit the brakes due to the pandemic last, but now we are back with an even more exciting race,” remarked TMP President Atsuhiro Okamoto 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,” added Okamoto.
Filipino celebrities showed up at the race day
Here is the list of the first leg winners of the 2021 Toyota Gazoo Racing Vios Cup:
Circuit Championship Race 1
| Promotional Class | ||
| Rank | Name | Team |
| 1 | Maila Alivia | JBT Racing / Toyota Isabela |
| 2 | Jiro Garbes | JBT Racing / Toyota San Fernando |
| 3 | Julia Delos Angeles | TSJ – Obengers Racing Team |
| Sporting Class | ||
| Rank | Name | Team |
| 1 | Inigo Anton | Toyota North EDSA – Obengers Racing Team |
| 2 | Julian Tang | Toyota Marilao – Obengers Racing Team |
| 3 | Joaquin Garrido | Toyota Otis – Obengers Racing Team |
| Super Sporting Class | ||
| Rank | Name | Team |
| 1 | Estefano Rivera | Toyota Balintawak – Obengers Racing Team |
| 2 | Gerard Loy | R Racing / Toyota Dagupan |
| 3 | Red Diwa | JBT Racing / Toyota Isabela |
Circuit Championship Race 2
| Promotional Class | ||
| Rank | Name | Team |
| 1 | Troy Montero | Team Toyota Gazoo Racing PH |
| 2 | Maila Alivia | JBT Racing / Toyota Isabela |
| 3 | Jason Lao | OTR Racing Team |
| Sporting Class | ||
| Rank | Name | Team |
| 1 | Julian Tang | Toyota Marilao – Obengers Racing Team |
| 2 | Joaquin Garrido | Toyota Otis – Obengers Racing Team |
| 3 | Inigo Anton | Toyota North EDSA – Obengers Racing Team |
| Super Sporting Class | ||
| Rank | Name | Team |
| 1 | Gerard Loy | R Racing / Toyota Dagupan |
| 2 | Red Diwa | JBT Racing / Toyota Isabela |
| 3 | Estefano Rivera | Toyota Balintawak – Obengers Racing Team |
Circuit Championship Race 3
| Promotional Class | ||
| Rank | Name | Team |
| 1 | Jiro Garbes | JBT Racing / Toyota San Fernando |
| 2 | Fabio Ide | Team Toyota Gazoo Racing PH |
| 3 | Royce Sarmiento | RMS Cars Racing Team |
| Sporting Class | ||
| Rank | Name | Team |
| 1 | Inigo Anton | Toyota North EDSA – Obengers Racing Team |
| 2 | Jacob Ang | Eagle Cement Racing Team |
| 3 | Julian Tang | Toyota Marilao – Obengers Racing Team |
| Super Sporting Class | ||
| Rank | Name | Team |
| 1 | Gerard Loy | R Racing / Toyota Dagupan |
| 2 | Bryan Co | FILA Make A Wish Obengers Racing Team |
| 3 | Marc Soong | R Racing / Toyota Dagupan |
Autocross Challenge
| Media Class | ||
| Rank | Name | Team |
| 1 | Jose Altoveros | Autoindustry.com |
| 2 | Ian Magbanua | Top Gear Philippines |
| 3 | Inigo Roces | Manila Bulletin |
| Celebrity/Influencers Class | ||
| Rank | Name | Team |
| 1 | Alex Diaz | Team Toyota Gazoo Racing PH |
| 2 | John Manalo | Team Toyota Gazoo Racing PH |
| 3 | Jules Aquino | Team Toyota Gazoo Racing PH |
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