Toyota PH stages successful 2015 Vios Cup

Toyota Motor Philippines started the fun last year with the sensational first-ever Vios Cup race.

For 2015, the fun became even more exciting as it continued at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga where almost 5,000 spectators from all over the country gathered to see action at the first leg of this premiere one-make race series.

Considered to be the largest motorsports event in the Philippine automotive industry, this "Waku Doki" experience assembled at the starting grid more cars than last year's with 41 adrenaline-pumped race-ready participants.

"This year becomes even more exciting. So better watch out," says TMP president Mitchonobu Sugata.

Starry-eyed spectators saw the likes of celebrity race new-comers Derek Ramsay, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Kylie Padilla, and Joyce Pring competing in their first race in the 2015 Vios Cup. Returning with them this season are other Vios Cup celebrity drivers, 2014 Season Champion Sam YG, Phoemela Baranda, Rhian Ramos and Jinno Rufino.

With them are also several representatives from dealers and individual teams composed of car enthusiasts and motorsports personalities like Dominic Ochoa, Pauland Dumlao, JV Ejercito and Andres Calma. Moreover, in the first race of the motorsports event – the President of TMP himself, Michinobu Sugata competed wheel-to-wheel with other racers.

 2014 Vios Cup champion Luis Gono, meanwhile is bent to defend his title.

 "I'm ready for this year," affirms the young driver. This will be an exciting race for everyone with new face and old rivals on the grid.”

For 2015's race proper, race 1 of the 2015 Vios Cup was divided into the “Sporting Class” and the “Promotional Group" with 2 race heats per category. The division of racers was based on each driver’s performance during the qualifying time trials.

Celebrity Racer Phoemela Baranda emerged as the winner for the first heat of the Promotional Group, which composed of celebrities and other individual teams and dealers.   Meanwhile, Miguel Diaz from Toyota Alabang Motorsports sealed the victory in the second heat.

In the same group, the Celebrity sub-category was clearly dominated by DJ Sam YG. As for the Sporting Class, Estefano Rivera racing for Toyota Alabang Motorsports and 2014 Vios Cup Champion, Pauland Dumlao from Team Toyota San Fernando won in heats 1 and 2 respectively in this specific category.

Luis Gono, meantime, struggled early and had to settle low in the standings. Aside from the 2 race heats, TMP also organized other side activities such as an exclusive drifting exhibition by the Drift King, Keiichi Tsuchiya. The Japanese underground legend also appeared as one of the judges in the drifting competition.

Expect to see more intense racing action at the scheduled Leg 2 this May.