‘Gemba’: Racing at the heart of the action
‘Gemba’ in Japanese means “actual place” or “onsite”, which according to Toyota Motor Philippines president Masando Hashimoto is one of the driving factors that pushed him to suit up for the Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippine Cup. Well, this is aside from–ofcourse–emulating his former boss/role model, former TMP president and now head honcho of Toyota Thailand, Michinobu Sugata, the instigator of the actual Vios Cup in our own country 10 years ago.
“It’s really different when you’re actually experiencing racing on the ground or onsite,” shared Hashimoto-san in an exclusive interview with Inquirer Motoring minutes before the 1.5-hour Endurance Race kicked off last weekend.
“Here, you get to really feel what the racers are feeling, the adrenaline, the actual racing action on the track, everything,” added the first-time racer, who improved his position in the standings in Leg 2 compared to when he first started in Leg 1 back in July.
“It’s from here that you get to actually appreciate everything about the car, the racing, the competition and what we’re actually doing, what we’re trying to accomplish at the end of the day through our motorsports program.”
At the heart of the Vios Cup action
Likewise, there are others out there who have been coming out swinging right smack at the center of the adrenaline-filled motorsports action.
Now, at the forefront of the all action of the Vios Cup is none other than , 20-year-old Iñigo Anton, who leads all other racers in the Super Sporting division with 122 points after two spectacular race weekends and a total of six races (four sprint and two endurance races).
For starters, Anton was the TGR Festival of Speed Autocross champion in 2019, the Sporting Class champion in 2021 and the Overall Super Sporting Class champion in 2022.
“My goal this year is, of course, to deliver another championship trophy that our team truly deserves,” shared the third-year athlete scholar from the University of Baguio, who currently studies Business Administration and is racing under Toyota Balintawak/Obengers Racing Team.
“I want to keep my focus,” he divulged with three more races left in the third and final race weekend in November.
“Every time I go out to race, I don’t put too much pressure on myself. I just need to concentrate, push my limits, and stay consistent. In the Vios Cup, consistency is the most important factor,” he added.
Young face of Philippine motorsports
This young prodigy, who hails from Baguio, started his racing career at the tender age of 8, racing cars in Time Attack races. In his 12-year career, he has already captured 12 national championship titles and countless other accolades in karting, slalom/gymkhana, Formula V1, sim/ virtual racing both here and abroad. He was even named the “youngest ever” Philippine National Champion at just 11 years old.
Currently, he’s trying his hand in Formula 4 with an impressive debut recently.
“I can confidently say that Toyota Gazoo Racing has honed my skills and prepared me for international competitions,” he exclusively shared with this writer.
“Additionally, my racecraft has significantly improved through the Gazoo Racing program, which I believe has prepared me well for my pursuit of Formula racing,” he continued.
For him, ultimately, he wants to give back to the people who have supported him—his family, teams, sponsors and everyone who believed in him.
“This championship would be the best gift I can give them for all their support, and without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today. They are what keeps me driven. I also want to express my gratitude to Toyota and everyone who has helped me achieve my dreams.”
Girl power in action
Meanwhile, another force to be reckoned with out there at the heart of the action is 23-year-old Julia de los Angeles, who recently graduated Cum Laude from De La Salle University – Manila with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing Management.
A rose among the thorns, the 12-year veteran in the sport has been coming out swinging tooth and nail against other male rivals of the Promotional Division of the TGR Philippine Cup. So far, she is placed among the top three racers, having aced Leg 1 back in July capturing the championship crown in the Sprint and Endurance Races; and placing third in Leg 2.
“Being one of the few girls in a “man’s world” can be quite difficult at times,” she shared.
“But that doesn’t mean we can’t do it,” she added.
De los Angeles divulged that she has been racing since 11 years old and has accomplished quite a number of feats in racing, particularly in karting.
Since 2021, she has likewise captured several podium finishes in a number of Toyota Vios Cup races.
She then continued, “I think it’s safe to say that we all have our ways of getting by and doing what we do, and for me personally, I just like having the mindset that when the helmets go on and we’re strapped in the car, we’re all the same. There are no males or females, we’re just racers, and we’re all driven by the same goal–to win.”
For her, what keeps her driven is having the privilege to keep doing what she can do despite all the setbacks she has faced.
“Because I’ve been in the sport for so long, it has become a huge part of me, and just the idea of doing what I do sparks so much joy. I know that none of this would be possible of course, without my parents and the support I’ve gotten from the team and those around me,” Julia, who likewise races under Toyota Balintawak/Obengers Racing Team, further conveyed.
To cap off, she shared, “Because I’ve been in the Vios Cup for so long, my goal for this year is really to win the Overall Champion in the Promotional Class. In the many years I’ve been racing, I haven’t gotten a major title for myself, and I really hope and pray that this is my year.”
