TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Philippine Cup Launches 2024 Race Season

New circuit racers including Toyota Motor Philippines President Masando Hashimoto debut in Novice Class

Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) recently launched the 10th season of its motorsports program with an exciting start to the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Philippine Cup (TGR Philippine Cup). The inaugural race weekend drew thousands of spectators to the Clark International Speedway, where over 30 racers competed fiercely in both sprint and endurance races. The event was a thrilling showcase of speed and skill, setting the stage for an action-packed season ahead.

During the opening ceremony, TMP President Masando Hashimoto announced that he would be competing in the Novice Class—a new circuit racing category featuring top performers from the Autocross Challenge. He was joined by influencers Lexi Mendiola and Reph Bangsil, media racers Jamil Lacuna, Jose Altoveros, Pablo Salapantan, and John Ray San Diego, as well as sim racer Russel Reyes.

Seasoned competitors from the Promotional, Sporting, and Super Sporting classes also returned to the track, bringing high-octane excitement alongside the 2024 newcomers.

The morning featured racers navigating under clear, sunny skies, while the afternoon brought unexpected rain showers. The shifting weather conditions tested both drivers and vehicles, delivering thrilling wheel-to-wheel action for fans.

During the first race weekend, two sprint races and one endurance race were held.

Here is the complete list of winners:

RACE 1: SPRINT RACE 1

NOVICE CLASS

Rank	Name	Team
1	Jamil Lacuna	TOYOTA GAZOO Racing PH
2	Russel Reyes	TOYOTA GAZOO Racing PH
3	Jose Altoveros	TOYOTA GAZOO Racing PH

PROMOTIONAL CLASS

Rank	Name	Team
1	Bong Garbes	Inbox – Toyota San Fernando
2	Rex Abrenilla	Toyota Team Cebu
3	Johndale Dy	Toyota Team Cebu

SPORTING CLASS

Rank	Name	Team
1	Jiro Garbes	Inbox – Toyota San Fernando
2	Jarond Mesina	Toyota Team Cebu
3	Danzel Waytan	JD Motorsport – Ribbon Arc

SUPER SPORTING CLASS

Rank	Name	Team
1	Red Diwa	JBT Racing / Toyota Isabela
2	Iñigo Anton	Toyota Balintawak – Obengers Racing Team
3	Russel Cabrera	Toyota Team Cebu

RACE 2: SPRINT RACE 2

NOVICE CLASS

Rank	Name	Team
1	Russel Reyes	TOYOTA GAZOO Racing PH
2	Jamil Lacuna	TOYOTA GAZOO Racing PH
3	John Rey San Diego	TOYOTA GAZOO Racing PH

PROMOTIONAL CLASS

Rank	Name	Team
1	Julia Delos Angeles	Toyota Marilao/San Jose Del Monte – Obengers Racing Team
2	Bong Garbes	Inbox – Toyota San Fernando
3	Rex Abrenilla	Toyota Team Cebu

SPORTING CLASS

Rank	Name	Team
1	Jay Lao	Happy Hotels Racing Team
2	Danzel Waytan	JD Motorsport – Ribbon Arc
3	Carlo Suarez	Toyota Team Cebu

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 1

NOVICE CLASS

Rank	Name	Team
1	Russel Reyes	TOYOTA GAZOO Racing PH
2	Jamil Lacuna	TOYOTA GAZOO Racing PH
3	Lexi Mendiola	TOYOTA GAZOO Racing PH

PROMOTIONAL CLASS

Rank	Name	Team
1	Julia Delos Angeles	Toyota Marilao/San Jose Del Monte – Obengers Racing Team
2	Bong Garbes	Inbox – Toyota San Fernando
3	Rex Abrenilla	Toyota Team Cebu

SPORTING CLASS

Rank	Name	Team
1	Danzel Waytan	JD Motorsport – Ribbon Arc
2	Jarond Mesina	Toyota Team Cebu
3	Carlo Suarez	Toyota Team Cebu

SUPER SPORTING CLASS

Rank	Name	Team
1	Iñigo Anton	Toyota Balintawak – Obengers Racing Team
2	Russel Cabrera	Toyota Team Cebu
3	Ian Rosales	Toyota Team Cebu

Four-wheeled showstoppers made an appearance on the track as car club members brought their GR performance vehicles to the speedway for the Car Club Track Day. The action continued with a driving exhibition featuring drifters Hanz Jimenez and Dane Cruz.

A lucky few from the public were also given the thrilling chance to ride shotgun and experience drifting on the track. Additionally, attendees had the opportunity to grab freebies at the sponsors’ booths and the TGR GT Cup experience booth.

The race weekend concluded with a lively performance by Filipino band Autotelic, public raffles, and the awarding of winners.

The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Philippine Cup is proudly presented by Official Fuel Partner Petron and Official Tire Partner GT Radial, with support from Official Timekeeper Seiko. Additional support comes from Toyota Financial Services Philippines, myTOYOTA Wallet, Denso, AVT, 3M, ROTA, Tuason Racing, OMP, and Kinto One.

Racing enthusiasts can look forward to the second race weekend of the TGR Philippine Cup on September 28, 2024, for more thrilling action.

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 X, and join the Viber community at Toyota PH for updates.