Toyota GR Supra GT Cup Asia-Philippines starts July 2020
Written by Eric Tipan
Imagine getting behind the wheel of a GR Supra and racing wheel to wheel with the world’s best on the race tracks of Japan, virtually. Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) is making that dream a reality with the GR Supra GT Cup Asia-Philippines starting this month.
Organized by Toyota’s Gazoo Racing (GR) brand, this is a continuation of the One-Make-Race program as a follow-up to the Vios Racing Festival, which was postponed this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Because of the current situation, we have decided to postpone VRF this year for safety reasons. The good news is, our ‘waku-doki’ spirit lives on. This 2020, we are launching the GR Supra GT Cup Asia – Philippines. This e-motorsports program will not only continue Toyota’s racing legacy, but will also discover the Philippines’ top e-Sports talents. We are very excited to find them so they can represent the country in our international races,” said TMP President, Atsuhiro Okamoto.
Using their flagship sports car, the GR Supra, this virtual racing tournament happens in Gran Turismo (GT) Sport on the Playstation 4 (PS4) and aims to find the top e-sports racers to represent the Philippines in the Asian Regional Round.
There will be three race categories: Promotional Class, Sporting Class, and Junior Class.
Promotional Class participants must be novices, have no pro e-sports background, and must not be associated with any pro e-sports racing team.
Sporting Class accepts pro e-racers who’ve competed in any simulated racing event in or outside the country or are associated with a pro e-sports racing team.
To join the Promotional and Sporting Class, participants must be 18 and above, have a PS4 unit, a PSN account, a PS Plus subscription, the GT Sport game (either physical or electronic copy), a high-speed internet connection, a Facebook account, and a valid Philippine passport. Minors will be allowed in the Junior Class but winners will not be eligible to join the regional round based on the tournament’s international rules.
There’s no limit to the number of racers in the preliminary heat, but only the top 24 will advance to the semifinals where they will be grouped into three lobbies. The top three per lobby advance to the final heat. Each heat happens over one weekend. Repeat that two more times for the next heats and the racer of each class with the highest total points after three race weekends wins.
The winner of the Promotional and Sporting Class will go on to represent the Philippines in the GR Supra GT Cup Asia.
Your favorite actors, actresses, and personalities will also be in action. Watch them go for a podium finish in the Celebrity Class.
Registration starts on July 6, 2020. The first race flags off on July 18, 2020 (Leaderboard Challenge), July 30, 2020 (first round), August 29, 2020 (second round), and September 26, 2020 (third round).
Aside from being crazy tons of fun, the GR Supra GT Cup Asia-Philippines also aims to assist those who continue to protect us from the COVID-19 virus. Racers and viewers are encouraged to donate any amount so TMP may match it to purchase food packs that will be distributed to frontline workers.
“TMP will match the donation from racers and viewers to reach out to more front liners! It’s our simple way of helping and thanking them for keeping us safe on the road during these challenging times,” said TMP Executive Vice President, Kei Mizuguchi.
Whether you join the race or watch the race, your donation will go a long, long way.
For more information about the Toyota GR Supra GT Cup Asia-Philippines, visit Toyota's site, or check out Toyota’s official social media pages in Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.