Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) is ready for yet another exciting motorsports season with the 9th edition of its premier one-make-race series, the Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) Vios Cup. A total of 27 cars have now been confirmed for the curtain raiser this weekend at the Clark International Speedway (CIS), which consists of quite a number of fresh faces.
9 entries will contest in the premier Super Sporting Class. Notable names include the likes of Gerald Loy of R Racing Team and John Dizon of JD Motorsports – Ribbon Arc who finished 2nd and 3rd in the championship last year. Meanwhile, Joaquin ‘Wakkeen’ Garrido and Royce Sarmiento are stepping up from Sporting Class, whereas Ian Rosales is making the big jump from Promotional Class after bagging the Philippine GT 150 Championship last year. Celebrity driver Troy Montero is also now finally ready to slug it out with the big boys after climbing up the TGR Vios Cup ladder since 2017.
The Sporting Class is going to see the biggest grid of drivers in 2023 with 11 cars confirmed. Keep an eye on last year’s Promotional Class champion Jay Lao of OTR Racing Team and Alan Palacios of Toyota Team Cebu who are expected to mix it up at the front as they move up a category. Junior class karting champion Bern Corpino also has big shoes to fill as he makes his touring car debut with Toyota Balintawak – Obengers Racing.
Spicing things up in the Promotional Class are a pair of new celebrity drivers. Ryan Agoncillo and Enzo Pineda will be part of the 7-car grid this year as they race under Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippines.
Up-and-coming racers are joining Vios Cup veterans for fresh hands on the steering wheel. The newest addition to Team TOYOTA GAZOO Racing PH roster of Circuit Championship racers this year is actor Enzo Pineda, a Toyota Vios Cup Autocross alum who is now elevated to the Circuit Promotional Class.
Toyota Gazoo Racing Vios Cup 2023 Calendar
Round 1 | June 30-July 1 (Clark International Speedway)
Round 2 | September 7-8 (Clark International Speedway)
Enduro | November 10-11 (Clark International Speedway)
The 2023 TGR Vios Cup kicks off this weekend at the Clark International Speedway (CIS). Qualifying and Race 1 takes place on Friday (June 30), followed by Race 2 and 3 on Saturday (July 1). It’ll then resume on September 7/8 for Round 2, before the season finale on November 10/11. And instead of simply awarding double points for the final, they’re making turning it into an Endurance Race to really drive up the excitement.
Admission to all the races are FREE. Those who want to watch online can view the livestream via the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Philippines Facebook page.
