This weekend, the streets of the urban sprawl known as Villar City will become the epicenter of high-octane car racing.
Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) is bringing back the thrill of street racing for the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Philippine Cup (TGR Philippine Cup) 2005 season.
On May 24- 25, the adrenaline-pumping event will mark the first time the racing series will take to the streets since 2018.
TMP said in a pre-event statement that the race weekend will be held over two days, with Saturday heating the track with Qualifying and the first Sprint Race of the weekend.
The second and third Sprint Races will be held on Sunday. There will also be Drag Races, a Car Club, and Gymkhana Exhibitions on both days.
Previously known as the TGR Vios Cup, the TGR Philippine Cup has held street races in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, Cebu City, McKinley, Taguig City, and Pasay City.
These racetracks, however, pale in comparison with the Macau Grand Prix, where legendary Filipino driver Arsenio “Dodjie” Laurel once reigned supreme as the first back-to-back champion in 1962 and 1963.
With tight, hairpin corners and long straights, street races like those in the Macau and Singapore Grand Prix have been favorites of both racers and spectators. They provide memorable wheel-to-wheel racing to the delight and excitement of racing aficionados.
TMP said eventgoers can look forward to octane-laden action on track at Villar City while enjoying side activities, including vehicle displays and test drives, sim racing rigs, food concessionaires, original GR merchandise, and live entertainment. OPM powerhouses Rico Blanco and Parokya ni Edgar will tear down the stage on May 24, while Ely Buendia and Bamboo will rock it out on May 25.
Special event-exclusive promos on Toyota vehicles will also be available during the race weekend for those looking for a fresh, new ride.
“We have heard how much the racers and fans wanted to bring back the street race after the successful ones we’ve had in Metro Manila and Metro Cebu. With the races closer to the Metro, we hope more people will come to experience the thrill and joy of motorsports for themselves and perhaps even discover a passion for speed and all things racing,” TMP Assistant Vice President for Marketing Services Andy Ty said in the TMP statement.
The Automobile Association Philippines sanctions the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Philippine Cup. Official partners include Petron, GT Radial, Villar City and Brittany, with the support of Seiko, Toyota Financial Services Philippines, Tuason Racing, AVT, 3M, Denso, ROTA, OMP, and Kinto One. Ramon Tomeldan
