11th season of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippine Cup off to a great start
Race weekend 1 of the 2025 TGR Philippine Cup truly lived up to expectations as intense thrilling racing action sets the stage for another unforgettable race series.
Held at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga last March, Toyota Motor Philippines’ ultimate high-octane showdown pitted veteran drivers alongside newbies in the Super Sporting, Sporting, Novice and Legacy Classes, as well as a club race.
As a fitting tribute to celebrating March’s Women’s Month, veteran female driver, Maila Alivia, topped the Super Sporting Class. She won both Sprint Races 1 and 2, while clinching the fifth spot during the 1.5-hour Endurance Race.
The 55-year-old driver all the way from Toyota Isabela made her team proud by being the first-ever female driver in the history of the race series to ever do so.
“It’s been surreal. I can’t believe that I’m already here,” said an elated Alivia during an exclusive interview with Inquirer Motoring.
“It’s always been my dream–to be a champion,” she added.
Meanwhile, in the Sporting Class, Jesse Garcia of Obengers Racing outclassed fellow contenders as he now leads his division, while sim racer and Vios Cup Autocross Challenge graduate Luis Moreno, meanwhile, tops the Novice Class.
In the Legacy Classes, on the other hand, former Vios Cup racers dueled it out in the sprint races.
Notably, Senator JV Ejercito, who won his first Vios Cup race in 2017, and Paolo Ang, who was the 2021 and 2023 Sporting Class runner-up bagged podium spots.
The weekend also saw GR car club members competing in sprint races for the first time. Dubbed the “Club Race,” the event lived up to the thrill of bringing the joy of racing to Toyota customers.
GR performance and Lexus car owners also enjoyed their day during the Track Day. While fans of Toyota’s GR lineup and Lexus’ F SPORT series also got to see the vehicles up close at the display area.
Masando shining
Another racer who shined during this race weekend was none other than Toyota Motor Philippines president, Masando Hashimoto, who placed second in Race 1, third in Race 2 and again second in the endurance race of the Novice Class.
“I’m just happy. I feel more relaxed now compared to when I first joined racing last year,” he said.
Furthermore, Masando shared: “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.”
“This year, we are celebrating 11 years of the TGR Philippine Cup, and it is our pride and honor to continue bringing you the thrill and joy that only TGR can bring!”
Obengers dominate
The Obengers Racing Team, meantime, continues to be a force to reckon with as it dominated the first leg of the TGR Philippine Cup. Young prodigy and team ace driver, Inigo Anton, of Baguio City, clinched first at the Endurance Race in the Super Sporting Class, while fellow teammates, Julia de los Angeles and Jesse Garcia, finished the said race in flying colors in their own class.
Here is the list of winners for this race weekend.
