The team from the Queen of the South returns for the 12th running of the Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) Philippine Cup. Despite missing out on both the teams’ and drivers’ championships last year, they remain in high spirits, confident that the 2025 season will bring them more success.
Toyota Team Cebu’s (TTC) lineup is headlined by Russel Cabrera, Johndale Dy, and Rex Abrenilla—half the number of drivers they entered in previous seasons. The team has not provided a reason for this decision, but the smaller roster allows them to better focus their resources on running the cars.
Super Sporting Class
21-year-old Russel Cabrera made his TGR Philippine Cup debut midway through the 2022 season and won outright in his very first race in the Sporting Class. He followed this up with two more podium finishes, offering a preview of things to come from the young talent.
Now committed to a full season, he secured three wins and two podium finishes in 2023 to claim the Sporting Class championship. Russel was once again a strong contender after moving up to the Super Sporting Class last year. The title fight went down to the final race of the season, but unfortunately, it didn’t work out in his favor.
“2024 was full of ups and downs, which made it interesting. We were fighting for the championship until the very last race. Although I finished second in the points race, it was a good experience, and I learned a lot. Going into the 2025 season, we will strive to do even better and hopefully take the title this time with Toyota Team Cebu,” shared Russel.
Sporting Class
Johndale Dy and Rex Abrenilla were series newcomers in 2024. Although not new to motorsports, the TGR Philippine Cup was a trial by fire for both drivers.
They quickly realized just how competitive the grid was, even in the Promotional Class, and amassed quite a collection of battle scars throughout the season. But they managed to survive and succeed. Johndale claimed one race win and two podium finishes, while Rex landed on the podium five times. However, with the omission of the Promotional Class in 2025, Johndale and Rex are now set to compete in the Sporting Class.
“My first season in the TGR Philippine Cup was a roller coaster. It was a crash course in every basic discipline inside and outside the car—like a white belt rushing through the ranks to black belt. Just as I was getting comfortable in the Promotional Class, I got upgraded to Sporting. I guess it will be another crash course for me with the team,” commented Johndale.
Keeping a positive outlook, Rex shared: “I still have a lot to improve on, especially now that I’ll be racing against tougher and more experienced drivers. But I’m building my confidence with help from the team. The goal remains the same—win the Team Championship and finish strong.”
Toyota Team Cebu (TTC) will feature a new, more vibrant yellow-and-black livery in 2025. Keep an eye on their three cars when the season gets underway this weekend, March 21-22, at Clark International Speedway (CIS).
Toyota Team Cebu is sponsored by Standard Insurance, AC Delco, 3M Protrade Industrial Corporation, X1R, BG Power Stroke, MMF Glass, Staging Lines Performance Shop, Ubec Mags, Vian-son Automotive, Suarez and Sons, Solane LPG, Nature’s Spring Water, Fedchem Manufacturing Philippines, and Bullyconcepts.
[Photos by James Morales Jr]
