Toyota Motor Philippines recently concluded the National Finals of its premier e-motorsports tournament, the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing GT Cup Philippines 2024. The event, held live at the SM Mall of Asia, saw the top sim racers in the country battle it out on virtual racetracks for a chance to represent the Philippines at the Asia Finals.
The competition was fierce, with past champions and newcomers alike vying for the top spot. The Quarterfinals and Semifinals saw intense battles, with drivers like Luis Moreno, Russel Reyes, and Enzo Ison consistently proving their skills.
The Finals began with the Quarterfinals on August 17 where the Top 40 fastest e-racers from the qualifiers battled it out on Trial Mountain in the Toyota GR Yaris RZ “High Performance” ‘20. The participants were seeded into four batches of 10 players each, and each batch went head-to-head for three race heats. The first race held a qualifying time trial to set the grid, while the second race put winners of the first race at the back of the grid in an exciting reverse grid. The third race once again had the racers put in their fastest lap for a chance to start higher on the grid.
The National Finals, held on three different tracks with three different cars, pushed the drivers to their limits. The final lap of the last race was particularly thrilling, with lead changes and close calls keeping the audience on the edge of their seats.
Ultimately, Luis Moreno emerged as the 2024 champion, with Enzo Ison and Russel Reyes securing second and third place, respectively. Special awards were also given to Ison for Driver of the Day and Matthew Ang for Fastest Lap. Moreno, Ison, and Reyes will now represent Team Philippines at the Asia Finals in Malaysia.
“I would like to thank Toyota Motor Philippines for a phenomenal event. It’s the first time we had a live event head-to-head, and it’s good to see more of these events coming out. This year, I had a different approach in terms of training. I wanted to be more open, more dynamic, and I’m happy that it paid off,” shared Luis Moreno.
The event was a resounding success, drawing large crowds and showcasing the growing popularity of e-motorsports in the Philippines. The live format added an extra layer of excitement, allowing fans to witness the action firsthand and cheer for their favorite drivers.
Toyota Motor Philippines expressed its gratitude to all the participants, sponsors, and supporters who made the event possible. They also look forward to continuing their support of e-motorsports in the country and providing more opportunities for aspiring sim racers to showcase their talents.
