With two rounds completed and two remaining, the 2026 TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) Philippine Cup heads into the second half of the season at a brand new venue on the calendar. In the series’ entire 12-year history, this will be its first time racing at the Batangas Racing Circuit (BRC) on August 15.
Opened in 1996, BRC is the country’s oldest permanent racing circuit. Its 3.700 km layout features 14 turns and should provide a very different challenge compared to Clark International Speedway (CIS).
The closest championship fight heading into BRC can be found in the Super Sporting Class. Red Diwa of Toyota Isabela has taken over the championship lead following an impressive weekend at CIS, where he scored two wins and a podium. However, he leads Joaquin Garrido by just 0.5 points, leaving virtually nothing between the two heading into Round 3. Alain Alzona of Toyota General Santos / Davao Racing currently sits 3rd in the standings.
Things remain tight in the Sporting Class as well, where Bern Zaragoza of Resultado Racing managed to hold onto the championship lead despite suffering a disqualification in Round 2. Luigi Co remains 2nd, while Mike Santos made one of the biggest gains at Clark. A solid haul of points moved him from 6th to 3rd in the championship and puts him firmly into contention heading into BRC.
In the Tamaraw Racing Class, two-time champion Iñigo Anton continues to show why he’s the man to beat. He has extended his advantage to 42.5 points after two rounds, with Raymund Culada in 2nd.
Perhaps the biggest surprise in the standings is veteran Oliver “Oyi” Aquino of Toyota Bicutan Parañaque, who has worked his way into the Top 3. Up against a field that includes former champions and several younger racers, Oyi is showing that he still has a few tricks up his sleeve.
Aside from racing at a new circuit, the TGR Philippine Cup will continue its use of low-carbon biofuels first introduced at the previous round. The Vios OMR race cars will run on E20, a 20% bioethanol blend, while the diesel-powered Tamaraw OMRs will continue using B5, a 5% coco-biodiesel blend.
Race Weekend 3 of the 2026 TGR Philippine Cup takes place at the Batangas Racing Circuit on August 15.
Here are the championship standings after Round 2.
