SUMMER’s here, and other than frolicking in a placid beach under a searing red sun, what’s fun and sizzling to mull over this season is yet again another fiery start of the much anticipated Toyota Vios Cup—now on its fifth year.
The announcement for this exciting entrée recently ensued at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, wherein it was no less attended by Toyota executives, race organizers and racers, celebrities and the media.
“Toyota Motor Philippines welcomes you as we launch the fifth staging of the biggest motorsports event in the country, the Toyota Vios Cup,” TMP President Satoru Suzuki stated.
“We are quite excited to bring again the Waku Doki spirit to the Filipino public through this ‘One Make Race,’” he added.
New rules, new fun
Toyota remains true to this grassroots racing program and is strongly committed to develop basic motorsports knowledge and racing skills in the country.
With over 50 racers, in three race classes: Super Sporting Class, Sporting Class and Promotional Class, a new three-leg race format and car specifications upgrade particularly for the Super Sporting Class will further surely put the pedal to the metal.
During the launch, renowned race organizer JP Tuason mentioned that the first and last legs will be held at the Clark International Speedway, Pampanga, while the second leg will be grind out at Filinvest, Alabang—thus, bringing the motorsports experience back to the streets of Metro Manila.
For car nuts, expect upgrades in the Super Sporting specifications, such as the lightweight hood and trunk lid that would further maximize the speed performance. Not to mention the Vios will now be equipped with TRD Rotor Disc Brakes, providing higher braking power.
“Most of the drivers will be moving on to these modifications to become more competitive,” Tuason shared.
“Expected times in the track for the Super Sporting class will be in the range of 2 min 22 secs per lap.”
According to him, additional days will further intensify circuit races wherein scrutineering will take place on Thursday, and racing starts on a Friday, thus adding one more race in the usual two-heat race weekend.
“This will now allow for multiple winners every weekend. It will be more exciting, more interesting and going toward the end of the year wherein the points get bigger and bigger,” he divulged.
“It makes it a toss-up for the series champion.”
New faces, new ‘Waku Doki’
This fifth season will now see new celebrity racers, such as actors Diego Loyzaga, Sofia Andres, Chie Filomeno and also Sam Milby. Joining them are our returning celebrities from last season’s race, such as the likes of sportscaster Gretchen Ho, fitness influencer Aubrey Miles, Japanese-Brazilian model Fabio Ide and actor Troy Montero.
“I’m a car guy, I enjoy driving. Since I was a kid, I really loved racing, and now, this is my chance. It’s a dream come true,” neophyte Toyota Vios Cup racer Kapamilya star Loyzaga doled out.
“Before, the pressure got to me. Now, I know I’m more mentally prepared for this,” said returning racer Miles, whose new compelling vibe exuded that she’s back with a vengeance.
Former celebrity racer Jinno Rufino, on the other hand, will now go head-to-head in the Promotional Class under Growl-Thule Racing Team competing with the likes of femme fatales Team Biskeg’s Dimple Napat and Parts Pro Racing’s Julia de los Angeles, not to mention the high-speed father-and-son tandem of Rudy and Roy Bunag of Team Bacoor/Flashback Racing, among others.
Super Sporting Class Season 4 champion Daniel Miranda, however, will not anymore be seen in action, since the young Cebuano hotshot has already moved up to international races.
Image credits: Ronald de los Reyes