No matter what category you’re watching be it Super Sporting, Sporting, or Promotional, there was always a yellow-and-white liveried Vios OMR cup car fighting at the front during the second event of the Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) Vios Cup. Those where the entries of Toyota Team Cebu (TTC) that went home with 2 wins and 6 podiums last September 7/8 from the Clark International Speedway (CIS).
Super Sporting Class
Ian Rosales and Team Captain Lord Seno were again flying the team colors at the sharp end of the field. They would start from P2 and P8 on the grid after a mixed Qualifying session and deliver TTC’s first podium of the weekend. Both managed to hold position during a hectic Race 1 on Friday with Ian hanging on to 2nd and Lord taking 8th across the line.
Ian could only do so much with a reverse grid start and a success ballast slowing him down in Race 2. Still, he was able to haul points with 5th place and his teammate in 9th. He would get another shot in Race 3 this time taking the lead on the run to the first corner. Driving the #69 car, Ian defended heavily as he came under attack but later conceded to ensure that he made it to the finish in 4th. Lord, on the other hand, enjoyed another trouble free run and collected 8th.
Sporting Class
A sudden downpour wiped out TTC’s chances in Race 1. Several missteps unfortunately saw Russel Cabrera drop down to 7th after a stellar performance in Qualifying that put him on pole. Meanwhile, Alan Palacios was still adjusting to a new Vios OMR chassis, after his car was destroyed during the season opener, and settled for 8th.
Russel was eventually able to redeem himself with a flat out run in Race 2. Starting from P7, a quick getaway saw the 18-year-old make it up to P3 after only a few corners. He then picked off places one-by-one ’til he got into the race lead by lap 8 and held it until the flag dropped to win by a massive 4.290 secs. Alan was not too far behind driving the #44 black-and-yellow entry, gaining 5 spots to land in 3rd to share the podium with Russel.
The duo once again charged their way through the field in Race 3. It wasn’t easy though for Russel who was carrying 60 kg of success ballast in his #95 machine. Despite the handicap, he climbed from P6 at the start to make it to 2nd at the finish line. Alan was right behind and also made headway en route to another podium. However, a jumpstart earned him a 15 secs penalty and could only reach 6th.
Promotional Class
Majority of TTC’s trophy haul came from Paolo Ayo and Jarond Mesina. Lining up in P1 and P3, they ran nose-to-tail in a rain-soaked Race 1 with Jarond finishing 2nd and Paolo in 3rd.
Driving the #31 orange-and-blue TTC x Edgesport Vios OMR, Paolo was able to gain several spots at the start of Race 2. He then tried to improve on his position but all his attempts were unsuccessful. Even if he was the fastest Promotional Class driver on track, he had to settle for 3rd. Jarond was not as lucky as he suffered a broken driveshaft during launch that forced him into park his #24 car on the sidelines.
Unwilling to go home empty-handed, Jarond went all out in Race 3 to make up for his earlier DNF. He went for every gap he saw and shot up from last on the grid to the class lead after only 1 lap. Jarond then continued on his heroic drive to take the class victory with a 5.330 secs lead. Paolo was also aiming for another podium, but was again bottled up behind a competitor. He was within striking distance when the chequered flag dropped earning him 4th across the line.
The 2023 season of the TGR Vios Cup is slated to conclude on the 10th/11th of November at the Clark International Speedway (CIS). But instead of simply awarding double points for the final, they’re making turning it into an Endurance Race to drive up the excitement.
Lord Seno, Team Captain: “Everyone at TTC did really well although we fell short of winning the team award in this leg. But the season is far from over. We all need to be up to speed and fighting for wins in the final leg in November. This is going to be a long and tough race weekend with the inclusion of an endurance race. Nevertheless, we have one more chance to prove that we are the best.”
Toyota Team Cebu is done in collaboration with MRA Auto Parts and Edgesport, sponsored by Toyota Mandaue South, Standard Insurance, Bethel Insurance, BG Injector Cleaner, Vian-Son Automotive Services Inc., Solane LPG, Suarez and Sons Inc., 3M Philippines, Marina Foods, Bully Concepts, S&N Builders, Staging Lanes, and Cebu Protrade Industrial Corporation.
[Photo by James Morales Jr]
