Here are other things to get excited about during Race Weekend 2
The biggest story for Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippine Cup’s upcoming second race weekend is probably the venue, wherein this thrilling motorsports showdown will be held at the sprawling grounds of Villar City down south. In short, it will be a street race. And the famous local one-make-race hasn’t had one for more than half a decade already.
According to sources, this makeshift track is 2.4km long and is made of concrete pavement. Racers will be passing through eight turns and about four chicanes in total beginning from the starting grid. Going around a counter-clockwise direction, it features tight corners and long straights which promise to excite the spectators and racing fans both watching live and online.
However, more than just the fuss surrounding the new and exciting makeshift track, spectators should watch out for the participants who will be competing head-to-head in this much-anticipated cutthroat street race.
For the Race Weekend 2, there will be a total of 42 drivers competing in the Super Sporting, Sporting, Novice and Legacy Classes.
For the Super Sporting Class, there will be eight racers compared to just seven in Race Weekend 1. Unfortunately, for this round, racing prodigy and two-time TGR PH Cup champion, Inigo Anton, would not be able to compete for unknown reasons. Nonetheless, to keep things exciting, two racers were added to the roster–Joaquin Garrido of Obengers Racing Team and Red Diwa of Precision Racing Team. Garrido was a consistent podium finisher in past ‘Vios Cup’ events and recently competed in Japan, while Diwa has likewise consistently proven his mettle with a number of wins and, at the same time, actively races abroad, such as in China and Malaysia.
At the top of the standings for this class is strong lady driver, Maila Alivia of Toyota Isabela, who has, so far, garnered 52 points as she previously won both Sprint Races 1 and 2. The 55-year-old Isabela native remains bullish as she heads to this weekend’s races. Closely behind her is Russel Cabrera of Toyota Team Cebu-Standard Insurance with 49.5 points, while Alain Gabriel Alzona of Toyota General Santos – Smart Communications Racing, with 41 points, is eager to put on a better display this time around.
Meanwhile, for the Sporting Class, there will be four new additions: Kody Ng of Toyota Gazoo Racing PH; Bernard Emmanuel Corpino of Jordan x ERA Autosport, together with the kindred duo of Darrell and Bong Garbes, both from Inbox-Toyota San Fernando.
Jesse Garcia of Obengers Racing–Toyota Balintawak leads the division with 50 points. He is respectively followed by sim-racing champion Russel Reyes of Toyota Gazoo Racing PH with 44.5 points and Garcia’s fellow teammate Julia de los Angeles with 43.5 points.
Expect exhilarating racing action from this roster as most of these racers have already earned their stripes during previous TGR PH Cup events.
On the other hand, for the Novice Class, yours truly is a new addition to the roster. Surely, this will be one helluva experience for us drivers as all of us will be trying our hands on a street race for the very first time.
Another sim-racing champion, Luis Moreno, is at the top of the standings in this class heading to this exciting street race. Toyota Motor Philippines president, Masando Hashimoto, meanwhile, trails behind Moreno and is looking forward to consistently improve his times.
Lastly, for the Legacy Class, Paolo Ang of Madkart/ R Racing Team outclassed the rest of the pack during their previous stint and is eyeing to keeping a consistent streak.
Other than these, racing fans can also look forward to electrifying side performances in the drag races, along with car club and gymkhana exhibitions on both days. All of these will be livestreamed on the Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippines Facebook and YouTube channels.
