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Manila Bulletin devider Drive devider Toyota Gazoo Racing Street Leg attracts more than 12,000 attendees

Toyota Gazoo Racing Street Leg attracts more than 12,000 attendees

An action-packed weekend event

Published May 28, 2025 07:10 pm
More than 12,000 attendees headed to the streets of Villar City, just south of Manila over the weekend of May 23 to 25 for the 2025 Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippine Cup (TGR Philippine Cup). This was the second of three Race Weekends of the racing series and premier motorsports event.
Racers in four classes — Novice, Sporting, Super Sporting, and Legacy — went wheel-to-wheel in three circuit races over the weekend in the 2.4km long street circuit. The makeshift circuit had 14 turns, including two hairpins and six chicanes, providing exciting track action for spectators.
TMP President Masando Hashimoto, who races for the Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippines Novice Team, shook the crowd in the last laps of the Novice Class circuit race when he hit the barriers and overturned. He was able to evacuate his Vios one-make-race (OMR) car promptly and came out of the incident without any injuries.
“My car flipped upside down and became immobilized. While the tires and engine sustained significant damage from the impact, the cabin remained intact and completely clear, allowing me to escape without even a scratch. I lost my beloved Vios #4, but it saved my life. We racers experience crashes all the time, many times, which is part of racing, but I have seen first-hand the wonderful fact that Toyota cars are safe, robust and keep the drivers protected,” President Hashimoto shared.
A first-generation Vios One-Make Race car converted for rally racing.
TMP has been utilizing the Vios OMR especially converted for the TGR Philippine Cup (previously Vios Cup) for 11 years now, where it has been subjected to various racing conditions both in permanent and street circuits. It has been modified to fit racing standards, which includes the installation of a roll cage and racing seat with five-point seat belts to ensure the safety of the racer. Racers are also equipped with fireproof racing suits, gloves and helmets with Head and Neck Support (HANS) devices.
Toyota also applies the same safety standards to its road cars with safety features such as Toyota Safety Sense, airbags and various control systems.
TGR, TMP’s motorsports arm, has been committed to ‘pushing the limits for better’ through vehicle development in controlled environments. The TGR Philippine Cup, moreover, is conducted under the supervision of the Automobile Association Philippines to ensure the racetrack is compliant with safety standards.
President Hashimoto continues, “Toyota Global Chairman Akio Toyoda always emphasizes the importance of ‘driving, breaking, and fixing’ in vehicle development. By repeatedly driving and breaking cars in the race environment, he discovers further areas for improvement and strengthens the cars as a master driver. Based on this corporate mantra, Toyota will continue to pursue safer vehicle manufacturing and accessible racing in the future.”
The Toyota Tamaraw Racing Concept
Besides the TGR Philippine Cup, the race weekend features several other vehicles and classes. The Tamaraw Racing Concept, a modified Tamaraw Dropside, also made its debut during the race weekend as the showcase vehicle during the Drag Race Exhibition. The concept vehicle underlines Toyota’s dedication to creating exciting cars through continuous testing on the track.
Ely Buendia during his performance on May 25.
Eventgoers were also treated to free musical performances by OPM rock stars Rico Blanco and Parokya ni Edgar on May 24, and Ely Buendia and Bamboo on May 25.
The mobility company also showcased its lineup of vehicles through the Toyota Drive Fest with test drives; vehicle displays of its GR and GR-S, Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Tamaraw, and Lexus F SPORT lineups; and event-exclusive promos on new vehicles. Customers were able to get discount coupons, which they used to purchase new vehicles.
T-Sure, Toyota’s pre-owned vehicles program, also displayed certified pre-owned cars for sale for those considering secondhand vehicles.
Fans can look forward to Race Weekend 3 of the 2025 TGR Philippine Cup in August at the Clark International Speedway. Tune in to TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube and TikTok for updates.
The Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippine Cup is sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines and is brought to you by Official Fuel & Lubricants Partner Petron and Official Tire Partner GT Radial, in cooperation with Official Venue Partners Villar City and Brittany.
This event is also supported by Official Timekeeper Seiko, Toyota Financial Services Philippines, Tuason Racing, AVT, 3M, Denso, ROTA, PIAA, Autoplus, OMP, Bebang Halo-Halo, AutoQuix, and Kinto One.
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