Toyota Expands Racing Program

Suzuki bares the plans for TMP’s expanded motoring program.

If there was one brand that could have revived the state of motorsports five years ago, it would have been Toyota—and revive they did.

The Toyota Vios Cup has become one of the largest grids in Asia. More than 70 race cars have been sold, and it has produced a new generation of racing superstars who are now making a name for themselves in the global arena.

Some of the highlights of the previous runs are the historical street races done in the Toyota SRP Cebu Street Circuit, the Vios Cup McKinley West Circuit in Taguig, the Manila South Circuit in Filinvest, Muntinlupa, and the Manila Bay Street Circuit in the Mall of Asia Complex.

For 2019, Toyota is expanding its program to embrace the spirit of waku doki, or fun to drive, not only to racers but enthusiasts as well.

The Toyota Vios racing festival now has two exciting race series, namely the Vios Circuit Championship and the Vios Autocross Challenge.

The launch of the Toyota racing festival will be in the second quarter of this year with the start of the Vios Autocross challenge. This competition will be open to racers, media and motoring enthusiasts.

The Vios Circuit Championship will begin in June, and is expected to have at least 35 cars on the grid.

This year, the Vios Circuit Championship will feature an expanded format and the 2019 Vios race car model, which is being developed by Toyota Motor Philippines in partnership with Toyota Racing Developments (TRD) and series organizer Tuason Racing.

Toyota Motor Philippines’ president Satoru Suzuki announced that despite 2018 being a difficult year for the motoring industry, Toyota was able to hold its ground and was once again able to achieve its 17th triple crown (best-selling passenger vehicle brand, best-selling commercial vehicle brand, and best-selling brand overall).

Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. vice chair Alfred Ty leads the toast with TMPC president Satoru Suzuki, TMPC executive vice president Kei Mizoguchi and TMPC senior vice president for Marketing Jing Atienza.

“Toyota was able to hold its ground. It was truly a challenging year, and we are hopeful that this year will be more auspicious,” said Suzuki during a media thanksgiving event held last Jan. 25 at the Grand Hyatt Manila.

Suzuki also thanked the media for its support. “2018 will always be remembered as one of the toughest years for the auto industry, but Toyota’s accomplishments despite the odds were all made possible through unwavering support.”

Toyota likewise announced the comeback of the Toyota Racing School, where people get to try real race cars on a real race track, a truly unique experience for a fraction of the cost.

For more details, log on to www.toyotamotorphilippines.com.