MANILA, Philippines (Mar 2025) — Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) kicked off the 2025 TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Philippine Cup with an action-packed opening weekend. Veteran racer Maila Alivia took the lead in the Super Sporting Class, while Jesse Garcia topped the Sporting Class standings. Sim racer and Vios Cup Autocross Challenge graduate Luis Moreno emerged as the frontrunner in the Novice Class.
The Legacy Class sprint races saw former Vios Cup competitors return to the track, including Senator JV Ejercito, who first claimed victory in 2017, and Paolo Ang, a previous Sporting Class runner-up. Ang secured a commanding win, adding to his motorsports credentials.
For the first time in the series’ history, members of the GR car club participated in sprint races under the new Club Race format, reinforcing Toyota’s commitment to making motorsports more accessible. Fans also got to experience the excitement firsthand through a Track Day, featuring Toyota’s GR lineup and Lexus’ F SPORT series.
Off the track, spectators explored interactive booths with remote control and sim racing activities, while diecast collectors browsed exclusive merchandise. The event’s main attraction remained the circuit races, with Sprint Race 2 adopting a reverse grid rule for added competition. In the Novice Class, John Rey San Diego started in pole position, while Oliver Estrella, Mike Santos, and Iñigo Anton took the front spots in the Legacy, Sporting, and Super Sporting classes, respectively.
The reverse grid format led to thrilling lead changes. A setback pushed Oliver Estrella to the back, allowing Paolo Ang to secure another win in the Legacy Class. In the Sporting Class, Russel Reyes made his way to the front for his second sprint victory. Maila Alivia dominated the Super Sporting Class, winning both sprint races and finishing in the top five in the endurance challenge.
TMP President Masando Hashimoto also made waves in the Novice Class, claiming third place after capitalizing on a mistake by Pablo Salapantan. Meanwhile, the Super Sporting Class endurance race delivered intense wheel-to-wheel action, with Mikey Jordan and Alain Gabriel Alzona battling for third place. After multiple attempts, Alzona finally secured the spot with a decisive overtake.
As TMP marks the 11th year of the TGR Philippine Cup, Hashimoto emphasized the brand’s commitment to fostering an inclusive motorsports culture.
“At TGR Philippines, we stay committed to our goal of growing an inclusive and exciting motorsports hub where we can all come together and celebrate our love for cars and motorsports,” Hashimoto said. “It is our pride and honor to continue bringing you the thrill and joy that only TGR can bring.”
Motorsports enthusiasts can catch the next race weekend in May. For updates, follow TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, and TikTok.
The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Philippine Cup is supported by Official Fuel & Lubricants Partner Petron and Official Tire Partner GT Radial. Other sponsors include Toyota Financial Services Philippines, myTOYOTA Wallet, Denso, AVT, 3M, ROTA, Tuason Racing, OMP, and Kinto One.
