Toyota GR Fest 2023 'successful'

The recently-held Toyota Gazoo Racing (GR) Festival came to a successful conclusion.

The said event drew more than 6,000 attendees and garnered more than 2.6 million livestream views.

Further, GR-spec cars like the GR Supra, GR Yaris, and GR 86, and the recently-unveiled Tamaraw, were on display at the event. Moreover, iconic nameplates from various Toyota car clubs were also showcased at the expo.

Additionally, Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman Akio Toyoda had everyone screaming “I love cars!”

Aside from that, Toyoda — who goes by the pseudonym Morizo — wowed everyone with his driving and drifting skills and showed that he is just as handy behind the wheel as he is behind the desk.

Abroad the GR Yaris, Morizo performed spectacular donut maneuvers while he joined the Gymkhana challenge while driving the GR 86. Morizo also took lucky passengers for adrenaline-pumping rides and gave them a taste of what it's like to experience the track from the perspective of a racing master.

“I developed a car because I wanted to see the smiles of the people. You ask people and you give them what they want,” Morizo commented.

The man believes that the best way to develop Toyota cars is by doing it on the road – driving and drifting these cars.

“It’s because of the smiles and the cheers that is why I’m here,” he added.

Joining Morizo were Japanese champion racers from the Toyota Gazoo Racing Team Norihiko Katsuta and Masahiro Sasaki. They brought along their legendary race cars Toyota WRC Yaris and Red Bull GR Corolla which conquered the rally courses of global racing events.

Of course, the event would have not been complete without the participation of the country’s home-grown Filipino racers such as Alex Perez, Luis Gono, Marlon Stockinger, and celebrity racer Ryan Agoncillo.

The two-day automotive spectacle also hosted a Gymkhana Time Attack and Drifting Competition.

Fun and excitement did not end with the exhibitions and racing competitions as the festival ground was adorned with loads of GR merchandise as well as photo booths and live music performances from bands such as Ely Buendia, Ben&Ben, Parokya ni Edgar, and Kamikazee.

Photos from Toyota Motor Philippines, Ruben Manahan IV, and Juan Paulo Papa

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