Grid of 39 for Vios Cup 2 on March 21

Drivers of Team Obengers, representing Toyota North Edsa, Toyota Balintawak, Toyota Otis and Toyota Marilao, are all ready for a long season ahead.

MANILA, Philippines–Every so often, a car race comes along that fundamentally transforms the world of Philippine motor sports. The inaugural 2014 Toyota Vios Cup, the country’s  first one-make race series, is one of these.

Last year’s race—which established new milestones in spectator attendance, promotions, competitiveness as well as tapping previously unheralded drivers—has been so successful that the second season was already certain as early as the awarding of the winners last November.

Come race day this weekend, expect reigning champion, 16-year-old Luis Gono of Toyota North Edsa, to have a grueling time defending his title from 38 other drivers (11 of them are new entrants).

The first leg of the Vios Cup Season 2 kicks off this Saturday, March 21, at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga. Grid positions will be determined during the qualifying sessions that will be held on Friday, March 20.

“This year’s Vios Cup season will be more fun and exciting as new and competitive drivers and teams will be on the grid. The fact that Toyota Motor Philippines is the one organizing it means this year’s staging will be another grand spectacle,” said Toyota North Edsa team principal Don Juan Miguel “Cosco” Oben, who added that this year’s Vios Cup will also be more challenging for the crew/technical staff who must ensure that all the cars are at optimum condition and performance.

Team Toyota North Edsa is also part of Team Obengers, representing Oben’s four dealerships: Toyota North Edsa, Toyota Balintawak, Toyota Otis and Toyota Marilao.

 Seven drivers

“In fact, we have seven drivers on the grid this year. Aside from Gono, we also have Sen. JV Ejercito, representing Toyota North Edsa; Basti Escalante and Raymond Ronquillo, representing Toyota Otis; Daniel Miranda, a new and promising driver for Toyota Balintawak; Robert Lilles and Paul Ang for Toyota Marilao,” said Oben.

Another team principal aspiring for the championship crown this year is Rene So, who owns Team Toyota La Union and Team Toyota Dagupan.

Young Luis Gono of Toyota North Edsa is expected to have a tough time defending the overall crown he won in last year’s inaugural season against 38 other drivers.

“The Vios Cup Season 2 will surely be more exciting since the teams are more prepared, thanks to the experiences gained from last year’s inaugural season. With regard to our team, which is known as Team Biskeg (derived from the Pangasinan word for strength), our support crew are now more ready to make sure our drivers will perform their very best,” said So, whose team will be bannered by highly experienced drivers—Charlie Cojuangco of Team Toyota La Union and Michael Bryan Co of Team Toyota Dagupan.

Having more drivers on the grid means more challenge for another team principal, Franklin Lim of Toyota Quezon Avenue. “It’s going to be more fun and exciting as there will be more drivers trying to make the podium,” said Lim.

“I believe that Season 2 will feature more experienced drivers who already bonded with their cars as well as their support staff. By this time, they should have learned the dos and don’ts of actual racing so that we should expect a safer and healthier competition,” said Lim.

Lim’s Team TQA is bannered by skilled drivers Allan Dy, Dominique Ochoa, Sherwin Hing, Mon Tanjuatco and Miko Maristela.

Rekindled

The three team principals agree that the one-make race that started last year has certainly rekindled the country’s thirst for “waku-doki” (literally meaning “heart-racing” fun) experience.

In fact, to make this year’s races more competitive, four major races, including an out-of-Luzon race, were organized.

Aside from welcoming back celebrities like Rhian Ramos, Sam YG and Phoemela Baranda, a new set of fresh faces were signed up, namely, Derek Ramsay, Jasmine Curtis, Kylie Padilla and Joyce Pring.

After a short stint last season, Sen. JV Ejercito is raring to join all four races this year.

Spectators will also be treated to driving and drifting exhibitions from no less than “Drift King” Keiichi Tsuchiya as well as displays and presentations from Toyota Car Clubs.

Vios Cup Season 2 race organizer JP Tuason of the Toyota Racing School  has made some amendments to the existing rules to ensure driver safety as well as to guarantee fair and consistent officiating.

Some of the new changes include the hiring of local as well as international race stewards alongside the Automobile Association Philippines.

The minimum total weight of the car and driver was also raised this season to 1,100 kilograms.

Points earned are doubled during street races and are multiplied by 1.5 more during the fourth and final race of the season.

Medical checkups

Drivers will also go through mandatory medical checkups prior to the race, and if an incident occurs on the track, drivers involved will have to be cleared by doctors before they can continue the race. A HANS (head and neck support) device will also be a requisite for all competitors.

Since Vios Cup Season 2 is open to everyone, free of charge, Toyota Motor Philippines has even prepared a Vios Cup shuttle loop during race day (on March 21) with pick-up points located at the Mimosa Leisure Estate/Holiday Inn Clark.

This year’s Toyota Vios Cup is made possible by Bridgestone Philippines, the official tire sponsor, providing each team with Potenza Adrenalin RE002 for the series, and Rota, the official wheels sponsor. Brembo Philippines, Denso, AVT, OMP, and Motul will also be returning to support Season 2.