Vios Cup series kicks off at BGC

MANILA, Philippines - Toyota Motor Philippines takes circuit racing to a new level as it stages the third and final leg of the Vios Cup One Make Race Series firing off today at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

Toyota Motor Philippines president Michinobu Sugata said the Vios Cup Series was put up not just to relive the long years of Filipinos passion for Toyota cars but also to promote and develop Philippine motorsports as a major sports spectacle by bringing car racing events closer and more accessible to the people and ultimately make the country as a top venue for international motorsports events.

The new racetrack – dubbed the Toyota McKinley West Circuit, a 1.8-kilometer makeshift race course with seven turns including three hairpins, is located at the McKinley West Village.

In consultation with the governing Automobile Association Philippines, TMP puts safety as its utmost concern as the track will be sided with double Armco barriers and eight-foot high catch fences aside from concrete and tire barriers in the most critical turns of the track. There will be a total of nine marshal posts.

The Vios Cup season finale, open to the public, is also expected to draw in record crowd for the two-day event ending tomorrow.

Seven new drivers – Alex Belena, Bombi Palilio, Jason Go, Ramon Tanjuatco, Rene Sta. Romana, Gov. Umali , Miguel Diaz and Sen. JV Ejercito – are bringing in 37 cars in the event held in cooperation with Bridgestone and powered by Rota, Motul, Brembo, Denso, AVT, OMP and TRD.

Jason Choachuy of Toyota Balintawak swept the last two races in the last leg to pool 75 points with Luis Gono of Toyota North EDSA and Allan Uy of Toyota Quezon Avenue toting 49 and 47 points, respectively.

Inaki Araneta and Carlos Castaneda of Toyota Alabang have 33 and 26 points, respectively, followed by Dominic Ochoa of Toyota Quezon Avenue (23), Pauland Dumlao of Toyota San Fernando (19), Charlie Cojuangco of Toyota Dagupan (17), Basti Escalante of Toyota Otis (16) and Carlos Loinaz of Toyota Batangas (13).

Meanwhile, racing fans, supporters and spectators will also be treated to the Waku-Doki fun through the side events like the Toyota Car Club Trackday, fun-filled games for the kids and kids-at-heart, Fans Day fun activities, displays and selling opportunities.