Epic full-throttle moments continue at the 2nd leg of the 2023 Toyota GR Vios Cup

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September 18, 2023

(Photos by Randolph de Leon and Toyota Motor Philippines)

All roads led to the 4.2 km long Clark International Speedway (CIS) as Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) green-lit the 2nd leg of the 2023 Toyota Gazoo Racing Vios Cup (TGR Vios Cup) one-make racing series. Held last September 8-9, the race weekend drew a grandstand of crowds, both onsite and online, to witness tons of on- and off-track action.

In review, the opening round of the TGR Vios Cup started off high with Bern Corpino (Toyota Balintawak/Obengers), Russell Cabrera (Toyota Team Cebu), and Ian Rosales (Toyota Team Cebu), to name a few, each taking home a win.

This time around, it was an unforgettable weekend as the speedway came alive with loud cheers from fans on the stands and the sound of engines revving. Racing fans from all over the country watched together on the bleachers and virtually over the online livestream, to root for their favorite racers in the Circuit Championship and Autocross Challenge.

Contenders from the first leg, including beloved racers and TGR veterans Troy Montero and Enzo Pineda, beauty queens Carla Lizardo and Megan Young, and crowd-favorites Benedict Cua, Bianca Yao and Lexi Mendiola, came back to the racetrack ready to fight for their place on the podium.

Across the three categories of the Circuit Championship—Promotional, Sporting and Super Sporting—racers gave a heart-stopping show from start to finish. Emerging as the victor after all the exhilaration of the Promotional class was Jarond Mesina of Toyota Team Cebu, followed by Alain Alzona of Toyota General Santos – Chooks to Go Racing Team and Bong Garbes of Inbox – Toyota San Fernando in second and third places, respectively. Meanwhile Jiro Garbes of Inbox – Toyota San Fernando dominated in the Sporting class with Russel Cabrera of Toyota Team Cebu and Maila Alivia of JBT Racing Team / Toyota Isabela followed in second and third places. In the Super Sporting class, the crowds roared Newcomer Ezra Domingo enjoys his first time in the podium after grabbing the first spot in the Sporting Influencer Class, where he’s followed by Bianca Yao and Genesis Redido in second and third places. In the Sporting Class, Reph Bangsil reclaims the first spot after his years of Vios Cup hiatus. Migy Romulo followed in second and Lexi Mendiola in third.

Meanwhile, seasoned racers Milo Rivera and Jose Altoveros, along with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Philippines Ambassador, Marlon Stockinger, joined together for a special Autocross Challenge featuring the Corolla Altis GR-S HEV as their race car—to which Milo Rivera was hailed champion.

Catch the 3rd and final leg of the TGR Vios Cup on November 11, still at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga.

About the Author

Randolph de Leon
Randy is a person with disability (PWD), a partially-blinded person with only his left eye functioning. Since childhood, the automobile has always been his passion, and is able to express it through photography and most recently, through writing as well. Outside the motoring beat, Randy spends time manning the media aspect of his business which he co-founded with his sister/college classmate. It's called Dragonlight Wellness and Solutions, a multi-business venture centering on improving peoples' lives through earning.