The second round of the Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) GR Supra GT Cup Asia-Philippines has yielded new names at the podium.
Leading the promotional class—who conquered the tracks at the Autopolis International Racing Course—was JB Cruz at first place, followed by Lance Guballa and Lance Padilla for the second and third place finishes, respectively. Both Guballa and Padilla were also podium finishers in the first round of the local arm of the Japanese automaker’s national e-motorsports program.
Meanwhile, Luis Moreno topped the Sporting Class for the second time, along with new first time podium winners Miguel San Mateo on second place and Terence Lallave on third.
It could still be anyone’s game as based on the rules, Round 2 points have a 1.5 multiplier, while the third final round is doubled points. The said race will be held this month, to be broadcasted on September 26. TMP has opened the registration for the third round and can be accessed via www.toyota.com.ph/gtcup.
After the third round, points of each racer will be accumulated to determine two overall winners, which will come from each class. These two racers will then represent the Philippines at the Asian Regional Championship of the GR Supra GT Cup in October.
The third champion, which will come from the Celebrity vs. Media class, will also join the Philippine team.
Moreno was elated on the latest victory, noting the difficulty level of the track.
"I feel ecstatic for the win, considering the nature of the track. I am very happy to pull another victory on a track I consider the toughest in the calendar," he said.
"Unlike Suzuka, this track's nature does not have as much breathing room as it goes one corner after another. I also had to deal with how to overtake in this track considering I started in P9 and clean passes in this track are so difficult," Moreno explained.
Cruz, on the other hand, expounded on his appreciation to the e-motorsports program, which has given racing fans a chance to chase their passion.
"A child playing toy cars in a fashion that he's mindful about body roll, suspension, traction. etc. A kid waiting for cars to pass by and memorizing the brands and models, that was me. We couldn't afford to buy a car before, but videogames allowed me to dream of getting beautiful cars and to be a race car driver. This is the first time for me to enter a legit esports racing competition, and especially coming from Toyota and winning? A fulfilling experience that's what it is," said Cruz.
The GR Supra GT Cup Asia-Philippines is TMP’s latest initiative to continue to support and expand local motorsports after this year’s Vios Racing Festival (VRF) had to be postponed due to the pandemic.
TMP vice president for marketing services Elijah Marcial said that the program was meant to continue the waku-doki spirit (waku-doki or heart-pumping excitement).
“The GR Supra GT Cup Asia Philippines E-race is really our way to continuously give a thrilling driving experience even with our limited physical movement,” she said.
“Many people are now confined to their homes, they probably miss bringing out their cars for a road trip or track day with friends. Let us not allow this pandemic to take away the fun and excitement of driving. It’s a totally different experience, but with a virtual Supra running at top speeds, a digital sound of engine revving, and a friend cheering for you in the comment box, it’s the joy of driving at a different level!”
GR Supra GT Cup Asia Philippines is TMP's first national virtual motorsport tournament organized under Toyota's Gazoo Racing brand. Races are held online via the Gran Turismo Sport game on the PlayStation platform. For more information and inquiries, join the official Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/680971852455112
Photo/s from: Toyota Motor Philippines
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