Toyota concludes 2019 Vios Racing Festival

Competitors and organizers celebrate during the conclusion of the 2019 Vios Racing Festival

Toyota Motor Philippines recently concluded the 2019 Vios Racing Festival with a “waku-doki”-filled Final Leg (Races 7, 8 and 9) as well as the conclusion of the first-ever Autocross Challenge and Circuit Championship that brought additional excitement to an already heart-pumping race weekend at Clark International Speedway in Pampanga.

Held last Nov. 9, 2019 at the Clark International Speedway, the event saw over 70 drivers participating in the Circuit Championship and Autocross Challenge.

The Autocross Challenge saw Vince Vandorpe (SMPs), Anjo Perez (Media), and Carlos Iñigo Anton (Car Clubs) raising the first prize trophy of their respective categories, while Jun Sunga (SMPs), Jose Luis Altoveros (Media), and Sean Kody S. Ng (Car Clubs), claiming the first runner-up awards. Completing the podium finish were 2nd runner-ups Reph Bangsil (SMPs), Raymond Figuerres (Media), and Mickie Carbonell (Car Clubs).

New names

While numerous series front-runners made it to the podium, a number of new names also appeared in the winners’ list, including celebrity racer Gerald Anderson who registered wins for the first time since the season started last June.

“I had to finish the last leg of the Vios Racing Festival with a bang!,” said the celebrity racer on his Instagram post where he wrote: “I was tired of losing and not giving a good race for my fans/supporters who travelled from Manila to Clark every race to support me. You guys were my motivation. I couldn’t accept not standing on the podium before the Vios Racing Festival ended.”

Anderson placed 3rd in the Celebrity Class of Race 8, while finishing second in Race 9. “I learned that we all have to be like a Toyota Vios in our lives. Reliable—be someone your family can always rely on; Quality—always giving your best at everything; Safety —protecting yourself and family; Relentless —never stopping ’til you reach your Goals/Dreams. Let’s all be a Toyota Vios,” Anderson added.

Winners recognized

At the conclusion of the Nov. 9 race, TMP president Satoru Suzuki recognized the racers who won the final rounds of the Vios Circuit Championship and the fourth round of the Vios Autocross Challenge: “Toyota appreciates your heartfelt support over the course of the Vios Racing Festival. Together, we all contribute to the growth of motorsports in the Philippines, and we’ll continue to do so for more years to come.”

Race 7 saw Troy Montero (Celebrity), Francis Adriano (Promotional), and John Dizon (Sporting), snatching the top prize of their respective categories. Joining them were Aubrey Miles (Celebrity), Darrel Garbes (Promotional), and Marc Soong (Sporting) who were first runner up of their respective categories. Taking the 2nd runner up prizes were Gretchen Ho (Celebrity), Julian Tang (Promotional) and Red Diwa (Sporting).

For Race 8, Troy Montero (Celebrity), Francis Adriano (Promotional), and Lord Seno (Sporting), were crowned winner of their respective categories. Taking the first runner-up prizes were Aubrey Miles (Celebrity), Darrel Garbes (Promotional) and Marc Soong (Sporting) while Gerald Anderson (Celebrity), Elysse Menorca (Promotional), and Gel Napat (Sporting), completed the podium finishers.

Race 9 winners

For Race 9, the final race of the season, Troy Montero (Celebrity), Julian Tang (Promotional), and John Dizon (Sporting), were crowned winners while Gerald Anderson (Celebrity), Elysse Menorca (Promotional), and Red Diwa (Sporting), took the first runner-up prize of their respective categories. Daniel Matsunaga (Celebrity), Ian Rosales (Promotional) and Eggy Ong (Sporting), placed second runner-up in their respective categories.

TMP informed that overall winners of the 2019 Vios Racing Festival will be announced in another awards night happening this month.

The 2019 Vios Racing Festival is supported by TMP’s partners and sponsors Bridgestone, Petron, Motul, Rota, Brembo, Denso, AVT, 3M, OMP, and Tuason Racing.