Days of thunder
Speed freaks are having a field day these days as Toyota Motor Philippines has been busy with its motorsports program.
Some even say this can even be likened to the hype that the 90’s American sports action-drama film, Days of Thunder brought to the table.
After concluding the exciting 2026 Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippine Cup season, the Japanese auto giant announced its thrilling GR 86 Cup which is slated next year, as well as the groundbreaking of its Rooking Racing Garage Manila along Macapagal Avenue in Pasay City, which is set to officially open this December.
Moreover, this upcoming weekend, Team Philippines will meanwhile fly to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for the Esports GT Championship 2026 Asian Finals.
Exciting 2026 season concludes
After four grueling, intense weekends, Alain Gabriel Alzona from Toyota General Santos – Davao Racing, Bern Zaragoza from Resultado Racing, and Iñigo Anton from Obengers Racing captured the top crowns in their respective classes.
The Vios one-make race cars (OMR) saw racing action in the Super Sporting, Sporting and Legacy Classes, while the Tamaraw OMRs went head-to-head in the Tamaraw Class.
At a press conference, TMP president Masando Hashimoto said: “Despite the challenges we faced this year, we continued to race with a purpose.”
According to him, throughout the 2026 season, they learned, tested, improved, and pushed themselves forward.
“As always, we use motorsports as a platform to help shape a better future for mobility,” shared Hashimoto.
Furthermore, he further divulged that their journey is entering an exciting new chapter.
“We look forward to welcoming a new generation of drivers and enthusiasts as we expand our racing platform to three one-make race classes: the Vios, the Tamaraw, and now, the GR86,” he added.
In the Super Sporting Class, following Alzona in the overall season winners’ stand were Red Diwa of Toyota Isabella in second and Joaquin Garrido of Obengers Racing in third.
In the Sporting Class, meanwhile, trailing Zaragoza were Mike Santos of R Racing and Joshua David Marquez of Obengers Racing, respectively.
Finally, in the Tamaraw Class, joining Anton in the overall winners’ circle was Oliver Aquino of Toyota Bicutan Racing Team in second, along with Raymond Cudala of R Racing Team capping third.
On the other hand, in the overall team championship, first place goes to Toyota Isabela – Resultado, followed by Toyota San Fernando – Gen San and Obengers Racing in second and third, respectively.
Regional high-stakes Esports
Next, from the high-adrenaline pumping action at the race track, we jump into the rigs and the digital realm.
The TGR Asia Esports GT Championship 2026 Asia Finals will return to Kuala Lumpur on November 15, marking Malaysia’s third time hosting the event.
Here, there will be a total of 15 drivers from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.
All are vying for top spots and of course, the high-stake prize of USD$31,000 or almost P2M in our money.
Representing Team Philippines are returning drivers Russel Reyes, 25, and Enzo Ison, 16, and newcomer Michael Velasquez, 26. Reyes already competed in the Asia regional finals in 2022, 2023 and 2024, while Ison participated in 2024 and 2025.
“I’m bringing my A-game this time,” said Reyes, who is the most experienced in the trio.
“I’m setting my eyes on the Asian finals and am really preparing for this,” he added during an exclusive interview.
“Hopefully, this time, we finally get the win our country deserves.”
Meanwhile, with the Asian Finals looming Ison, together with his teammates, has likewise set his eyes on the gold.
“It’s an honor to represent the country once again. Hopefully, with my teammates now, we will have a better chance for a podium spot or perhaps the crown,” he said.
They will be needing all the grit and tenacity they could muster as they face Asia’s greats.
Indonesia’s Andika Rama is set to defend his title following victories in 2023 and 2025, while Malaysia’s Taj Aiman, the 2024 champion, is racing on home ground in pursuit of another win. Singapore’s Ar Muhammad Aleef, the 2020 champion, completes the trio of former winners returning to challenge for the title.
And to cap this off, just like any Filipino supporters of our trio, we leave this piece with a quote from the Tom Cruise-led motorsports film, wherein Harry Hogge, played by the iconic late Robert Duvall, shouted to Cole (played by Cruise) during a massive crash and overcoming such a big obstacle: “ You can drive through it. I know it. I know it in my heart.”
