Two planned races good for local motorsports

TOYOTA Motor PH president Michinobu Sugata in a pre-race talk

For just one day last Jan. 25, 12 race-ready Vios cars roared around the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga. The one-make exhibition race went past in a whirl, and then an eerie calm descended. It roused a feeling of uncertainty: What’s next for this premier race track? Will it be another several months or even years before we see some action here?

According to Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) president Michinobu Sugata, it won’t be that long a wait as a similar race for nonprofessional racers is being prepared. “Toyota is set to revitalize the local motorsports scene and place racing back on the map! As you can see around you, it is our goal to provide everyone with a unique event that is not only for the enthusiasts but for everyone!” said Sugata during his welcome remarks.

Sugata sounded confident about the future of motorsports in the Philippines, a feeling also shared by Hyundai Auto Resources Inc. (Hari), distributor of the premier car brand of South

Korea.

THE EYE CANDIES made things more exciting at the Clark Speedway.

During the concluding race of the 2013 Hyundai Lateral Drift Championship—which Hari sponsored—Hari president and CEO Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo confirmed plans to expand their local motorsports program and run a Hyundai one-make race for 2014.

Initially known as the “Elantra Cup,” the race is set to highlight a race-ready version of a 1.8-liter variant of the facelifted Elantra (set to be launched in a few weeks).

Indeed, both TMP and Hari recognize the power of motorsports in revitalizing the country’s still growing automotive industry. The passion is already there, as proven by the attendance during race day. What is probably needed is to have good races, which the two companies are set to provide. Good racing means people will take notice and the Vios Cup, along with the Elantra Cup, will be something to look forward to every year.

Then other things will shape up around it.