Toyota Vios Cup Cebu prevails over grit and grime

THERE’S so many ways to describe the outcome of the Vios Cup Season 2 Cebu Race. But what matters most is the great response of the Cebuanos on the very first major circuit racing event in the Queen City of the South, presented by Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) and featured its new champion car Vios.
Undeniably, the jampacked Cebuano crowd had their fill of fun and entertainment getting the kind of thrilling battle of cars and intense showdown of drivers which they exactly expected from the event  as they blurted ooohs and aahs, cheered loudly for their respective bets and had laughter over bumps, accidents and some other funny incidents.

For that, TMP president Michinobu Sugata expressed his deep gratitude to the Cebuanos for being such gracious hosts as he vowed to stage a bigger and better Vios Cup Cebu Race next season.
Unexpected developments nearly forced organizers to postpone the event. DPWH-Cebu  didn’t allow some portions of the reclamation area at the South Road Properties to be part of the originally planned 2.2-kilometer Toyota SRP Cebu Street Circuit since it is the only road used by cargo trucks and trailers delivering freights from the shipyard to their points of destinations. A disruption of their operations may result in bigger economic problems for Cebu.
Primary purpose
However, Sugata-san reminded officials and competing drivers that the Vios Cup was primarily created for entertainment.
The Cebu media hyped the event to generate huge interest among Cebuanos who waited for more than a month. Sugata said it’s unfair to extend their long wait for the first major circuit race to happen.

With the unexpected development, the track was shortened to just about 1.5 km, and had to pass through portions of gravel and sand. Thus, the Cebu race turned out quite challenging for the drivers who continually complained on the additional weight rule for the winners.  Little did they know that the additional weights this time are a big help for  tire traction in such gravel and sands course.

Win some, lose some
Most of the drivers were still affected by the tough challenges at the McKinley race and feared that the same atmosphere will be duplicated in Cebu. Those failing to overcome the fear of the circuit  already lost their fighting spirit even before the race started, but most of the young and new drivers still flaunted competitive character, with high hopes of moving up the points ladder.
Nope, the Cebu leg didn’t turn out to be another grueling duel between Race 1 champion Estefano Rivera of Team Toyota Ayala Alabang and Race 2 winner Pauland Dumlao of Toyota San Fernando, as both experienced mechanical problems that spoiled their hopes for another win, although the two had some close moments that stole the crowd’s attention from time to time.
Daniel Miranda of Toyota Balintawak staged a successful homecoming racing stint, making fellow Cebuanos proud by clinching runner-up feats in both Race 3 and 4.
Basketball crazy
But the biggest toast of the basketball-crazy Cebu was Andres Calma, who first got the curiosity of the Cebuanos as the son of PBA Great Hector Calma, and later won the adoration of the crowd by sweeping both Race 3 and 4.
He ruled Race 3 by a wide seven-second margin over runner-up Miranda, later reasserting his supremacy by checking in 4.026 seconds ahead of Miranda.
Toyota Ayala Alabang owner Mike Lee was in high spirits as Calma’s feat again puts the team in the spotlight, and as Rivera ended in lackluster, Bobby Domingo rose to the occasion as he claimed third place honors in Race 3

“I’m very proud of these young drivers, who were top caliber karters in the early years of their racing careers, and this time proved I made the right choices in the major revamp of the team this season,” Lee  quipped.

With the sweep that earned a perfect total of 40 points, Andres made a giant leap to solo leadership with 60 points.

Allan Uy of Toyota Quezon Avenue decided not to rush his title hunt as he finished fourth in Race 3 and third in Race 4 to remain in second place overall with 47 points, staying within striking distance like a “thief in the night.”

Miranda moved up third overall—just a point behind Uy with 46 points—while Dumlao slipped down to fourth with 39 points. Defending champion Luis Gono and Rivera follow with 25 and 23 points, respectively.

If there’s any lesson to ponder in the Cebu race, organizers and drivers agreed that it’s best to be fully prepared for any unforeseen developments that may hamper one’s rise to the top.