On January 25, this Saturday, Toyota will officially launch their VIOS Cup in Clark International Speedway with an exhibition race made up of five celebrities and seven crazy motoring journalists. As risky as that is, the idea is to get some much-needed publicity for this subsidized grassroots series where talent can be mined, polished, then exported to the next level, all in the hope that we could one day bring Philippine Motor sports back to its heyday.
It is an ambitious undertaking that could only be pulled off by the number one car company in the country, but it is just what the sport needs––an affordable, controlled series that pits driver against driver, not sponsor against sponsor.
Just imagine the amount of Marlon Stockingers, Stefano Marcelos and Michelle Bumgarners there are out there that just need a stage where they can shine. Or in this case, a podium. And nothing can bring that out better than a level playing field.
To get the wheels turning, Toyota are even subsidizing 25% of the cost of the cup car. The group 3-ready race car begins its life as a 812,000 peso 1.5 liter manual transmission Vios G, stripped down to the metal, fitted with 700,000 pesos worth of TRD modifications including a racing roll cage, a free-flowing exhaust and aero kit, an OMP steering wheel and racing seat with a six point racing harness as well as lightweight Rota wheels and Yokohama Neovas. It will be sold for under 1.2 million pesos.
As this is designed to cultivate talent, it is only open to those who have never held a racing license and comes complete with advanced driver and race training from Tuason Racing School. All parameters will be controlled to keep the costs capped and the challenge focused on the drivers, which Toyota are eyeing to be a grid of 35 by the season opener next year.
So back to that demolition, err, sorry, exhibition race. Come Saturday, I will line up along with my colleagues from the motoring press to create Philippine Motor sport history in the Clark International Speedway as we inaugurate the first ever VIOS Cup in the country.
Representing Top Gear Philippines will be their new publisher, Jeff Reyes; Vince Pornelos, aka the Porn, races for AutoIndustriya.com. Inigo Bulletin drives for Manila Bulletin, Botchi Santos for Inquirer, Brian Afuang buckles up for Manila Times, Aris Ilagan steers for Balita, while Rhian Ramos, Phoemela Baranda, Jinno Rufino, Aljur Abrenica and Fabio Ide make up the celebrity team.
There will be a fireworks display (on the track, not in the sky) and a free concert with Ely Buendia and Spongecola, as well as DJ Nina and some driving exhibitions and even kiddie activities––the biggest of which will be me finally living out my dream of being a race car driver, even just for a day.
Ladies and Gentlemen, start the fun.
