Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) wrapped up the second race weekend of its premier motorsports event, the Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippine Cup (TGR Philippine Cup), on September 28 at the Clark International Speedway. The race weekend brought adrenaline-pumping action as racers from diverse backgrounds competed fiercely in both sprint and endurance races, much to the thrill of spectators and racing fans alike.
The highlight of the weekend was the impressive performance by Iñigo Anton of Toyota Balintawak – Obengers Racing Team, who completed a clean sweep of all the weekend's Super Sporting Class races. Anton dominated the track, taking first place in both Sprint Race 3 and Sprint Race 4, as well as in the Endurance Race 2, showcasing the young driver’s highly skill motorsport talent.
The day began with an opening ceremony featuring TMP President Masando Hashimoto, who shared his excitement about participating in the event himself. Hashimoto, who races in the Novice Class, expressed his passion for motorsports and highlighted Toyota's commitment to car enthusiasts. He echoed the words of Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman Akio Toyoda, saying, "We Love Cars," and added that motorsports in the Philippines is growing stronger with the support of fans.
Throughout the day, racers faced shifting weather conditions—sunny skies in the morning followed by overcast weather in the afternoon. The dynamic conditions tested the skills and adaptability of the drivers, resulting in an action-packed day of racing. The second race weekend featured two sprint races and an endurance race, each delivering intense bumper-to-bumper battles for those in attendance.
Race Weekend 2 Winners
In Sprint Race 3, Jamil Lacuna emerged victorious in the Novice Class, followed by Pablo Salapantan and Russel Reyes, all representing Toyota Gazoo Racing PH. In the Promotional Class, Ryan Agoncillo from Toyota Gazoo Racing PH took first place, with Bong Garbes from Inbox-Toyota San Fernando in second, and Rex Abrenilla from Toyota Team Cebu in third. The Sporting Class saw Kody Ng of Toyota Gazoo Racing PH clinch the top spot, with Raymond Cudala of R Racing Team in second and Jesse Garcia of Toyota North Edsa / Otis-Obengers Racing Team in third. In the Super Sporting Class, Iñigo Anton of Toyota Balintawak – Obengers Racing Team took first place, with Russel Cabrera from Toyota Team Cebu in second and Royce Sarmiento of RMS Cars Racing Team in third.
In Sprint Race 4, Russel Reyes claimed the top spot in the Novice Class, with Jamil Lacuna and John Rey San Diego, both from Toyota Gazoo Racing PH, taking second and third respectively. In the Promotional Class, Johndale Dy from Toyota Team Cebu secured first place, followed by Bong Garbes from Inbox – Toyota San Fernando, and Mike Santos of R Racing Team. The Sporting Class was won by Raymond Cudala of R Racing Team, with Jay Lao from Happy Hotels Racing Team in second, and Alain Alzona of Toyota General Santos Chooks-To-Go Racing in third. In the Super Sporting Class, Iñigo Anton once again claimed first place, with Russel Cabrera from Toyota Team Cebu in second and Royce Sarmiento of RMS Cars Racing Team in third.
In Endurance Race 2, Russel Reyes took first place in the Novice Class, followed by Reph Bangsil and John Rey San Diego, all from Toyota Gazoo Racing PH. In the Promotional Class, Bong Garbes from Inbox – Toyota San Fernando emerged as the winner, with Rex Abrenilla of Toyota Team Cebu in second, and Julia de los Angeles from Toyota Marilao / San Jose Del Monte – Obengers Racing Team in third. The Sporting Class was won by Jiro Garbes from Inbox – Toyota San Fernando, followed by Alain Alzona from Toyota General Santos Chooks-To-Go Racing in second, and Kody Ng from Toyota Gazoo Racing PH in third. In the Super Sporting Class, Iñigo Anton took first place for Toyota Balintawak – Obengers Racing Team, completing a clean sweep of the weekend's races, followed by Red Diwa and Maila Avila, both from JBT Racing / Toyota Isabela.
Additional Highlights
The event also featured the roar of GR performance vehicles during the Car Club Track Day, where car club members took to the track to showcase their high-performance models. Notable drifters Hanz Jimenez and Dane Cruz added to the excitement with a spectacular driving exhibition, offering lucky attendees a chance to experience the thrill of drifting firsthand as they rode shotgun.
Throughout the venue, visitors enjoyed giveaways from sponsors' booths and engaged in virtual racing at the TGR GT Cup experience booth. The day concluded with a live performance by popular Filipino singer Barbie Almalbis, setting the stage for the awarding ceremony where new champions were recognized.
Motorsports enthusiasts can look forward to more heart-pounding action at the final race weekend of the TGR Philippine Cup, set to take place on November 9, 2024.