Iñigo Anton claims championship in the Super Sporting Class, Alain Alzona in the Sporting Class,
Bong Garbes in the Promotional Class, Russel Reyes in the Novice Class
Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) has wrapped up the 2024 season of its prestigious motorsports series, the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Philippine Cup (TGR Philippine Cup). After three thrilling race weekends, the champions in each class have emerged: racing sensation Iñigo Anton from Toyota Balintawak – Obengers Racing Team, back-to-back winner Alain Alzona from Toyota General Santos – Chooks-To-Go Racing Team, consistent top performer Bong Garbes from Inbox – Toyota San Fernando, and Russel Reyes, a sim racer turned circuit champion from TOYOTA GAZOO Racing PH.
The season finale took place on November 9, culminating in the grand awarding of the overall winners.
The audience was greeted by a rhythmic drumbeat during the opening ceremony as TMP President Masando Hashimoto made his grand arrival in his Vios One-Make Race (OMR) car. During his speech, he revealed that he had cut his business trip short to return to Manila and participate in Race Weekend 3 of the TGR Philippine Cup.
“I wanted to meet the racers, mechanics, coaches, and motorsports fans – this is what motivated me to come back. Today marks the final race weekend of the TGR Philippine Cup, where the season champions will be decided, and I wanted to personally congratulate them,” Hashimoto shared.
With excitement building and crucial points on the line, the Sprint Race for the Novice and Promotional classes kicked off, with Lexi Mendiola and Johndale Dy starting in pole position for their respective classes. Grid positions for the race were reversed based on the results of the previous sprint race, adding an extra layer of strategy and intensity to the competition.
After a thrilling and contact-filled battle on track, Pablo Salapantan emerged victorious in the Novice Class, with John Rey San Diego taking second and Russel Reyes finishing third. In the Promotional Class, Bong Garbes claimed the win, while Ryan Agoncillo, who had led for much of the second half of the race, was handed a one-place grid penalty for causing a collision, relegating him to second place. Johndale Dy rounded out the podium in third.
The Sprint Race for the Sporting and Super Sporting classes followed, with Danzel Waytan starting in pole position for the Sporting Class and Royce Sarmiento leading the Super Sporting Class.
Waytan successfully defended his pole position throughout the race, securing the win in the Sporting Class. Jay Lao and Alain Alzona finished in second and third, respectively, rounding out the podium.
In the Super Sporting Class, Russel Cabrera took control early, leading into turn one and establishing a gap that would prove insurmountable. Mikey Keilani Jordan finished second after a fierce battle with Iñigo Anton, who took third.
Professional drifters Dane Cruz and Hans Jimenez captivated the crowd with a thrilling drifting exhibition and offered shotgun rides as fans eagerly awaited the start of the Endurance Race. Members of the GR Supra, GR Yaris, and GR 86 car clubs also showcased their supercars on the track, treating a few lucky spectators to exciting hot laps around the speedway.
The Endurance Race saw all classes grouped together, with a total of 34 racers lining up on the grid. The Super Sporting Class started in the front row, followed by the Sporting Class, Promotional Class, and Novice Class, with grid positions determined by the results of the sprint races.
The 1.5-hour race proved to be grueling, as scorching temperatures tested both the endurance of the drivers and the performance of their cars. With a mandatory pit stop for all racers, strategy played a crucial role in gaining an edge. Fueled by the competitive spirit, the drivers pushed their limits in hopes of securing a coveted spot on the podium.
Iñigo Anton claimed victory in the Super Sporting Class, executing a series of impressive overtakes to move to the front. Russel Cabrera finished in second after leading much of the first half of the race, while Maila Alivia completed the podium in third.
In the Sporting Class, Alain Alzona secured the top spot, with Jesse Garcia taking second and Paolo Ayo finishing in third.
Bong Garbes showcased his dominance in the Promotional Class, maintaining a strong and consistent drive to take the win. Julia Delos Angeles made a notable charge, battling through the field to claim second place, while Ryan Agoncillo rounded out the podium in third.
The Novice Class saw Jamil Lacuna cross the finish line in first, followed by Reph Bangsil in second and Russel Reyes in third.
Below is the official list of winners for Race Weekend 3:
RACE 1: SPRINT RACE 5
NOVICE CLASS Rank Name Team 1 Jamil Lacuna TOYOTA GAZOO Racing PH 2 Russel Reyes TOYOTA GAZOO Racing PH 3 Pablo Salapantan TOYOTA GAZOO Racing PH
PROMOTIONAL CLASS Rank Name Team 1 Bong Garbes Inbox – Toyota San Fernando 2 Mike Santos R Racing Team 3 Miguel Abano DRQ Motorsport
SPORTING CLASS Rank Name Team 1 Darrel Garbes Inbox – Toyota San Fernando 2 Paolo Ayo Paolo’s Cakes and Pastries – Edgesport Racing 3 Alain Alzona Toyota General Santos – Chooks-To-Go-Racing Team
SUPER SPORTING CLASS Rank Name Team 1 Red Diwa JBT Racing / Toyota Isabela 2 Iñigo Anton Toyota Balintawak – Obengers Racing Team 3 Maila Alivia JBT Racing / Toyota Isabela RACE 2: SPRINT RACE 6
NOVICE CLASS Rank Name Team 1 Pablo Salapantan TOYOTA GAZOO Racing PH 2 John Rey San Diego TOYOTA GAZOO Racing PH 3 Russel Reyes TOYOTA GAZOO Racing PH
PROMOTIONAL CLASS Rank Name Team 1 Bong Garbes Inbox – Toyota San Fernando 2 Ryan Agoncillo TOYOTA GAZOO Racing PH 3 Johndale Dy Toyota Team Cebu
SPORTING CLASS Rank Name Team 1 Danzel Waytan JD Motorsports – Ribbon Arc 2 Jay Lao Happy Hotels 3 Alain Alzona Toyota General Santos – Chooks-To-Go-Racing Team
SUPER SPORTING CLASS Rank Name Team 1 Russel Cabrera Toyota Team Cebu 2 Mikey Keilani Jordan Jordan Racing 3 Iñigo Anton Toyota Balintawak – Obengers Racing Team RACE 3: ENDURANCE RACE 3
NOVICE CLASS Rank Name Team 1 Jamil Lacuna TOYOTA GAZOO Racing PH 2 Reph Bangsil TOYOTA GAZOO Racing PH 3 Russel Reyes TOYOTA GAZOO Racing PH
PROMOTIONAL CLASS Rank Name Team 1 Bong Garbes Inbox – Toyota San Fernando 2 Julia Delos Angeles Toyota San Jose Del Monte, Inc. – Obengers Racing Team 3 Ryan Agoncillo TOYOTA GAZOO Racing PH
SPORTING CLASS Rank Name Team 1 Alain Alzona Toyota General Santos – Chooks-To-Go-Racing Team 2 Jesse Garcia Toyota North Edsa / Otis – Obengers Racing Team 3 Paolo Ayo Paolo’s Cakes and Pastries – Edgesport Racing
SUPER SPORTING CLASS Rank Name Team 1 Iñigo Anton Toyota Balintawak – Obengers Racing Team 2 Russel Cabrera Toyota Team Cebu 3 Maila Alivia JBT Racing / Toyota Isabela
The race weekend wrapped up with an electrifying performance from Filipino band The Juans, who had the crowd singing along to their hit songs and enjoying their dynamic stage presence.
As the final race weekend concluded, the 2024 season of the TGR Philippine Cup officially came to a close. Season winners were determined by the points accumulated across six sprint races and three endurance races.
“What an incredible TOYOTA GAZOO Racing season. Let’s give a big round of applause to everyone here. Congratulations!” said TMP President Masando Hashimoto, addressing the racers and teams during the end-of-season awards ceremony.
“Driven by Chairman Akio Toyoda’s WE LOVE CARS spirit, we are working to elevate Philippine motorsports,” Hashimoto continued. “Because of all of you, we’re able to bring motorsports closer to more Filipinos.”
