THE Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) Philippine Cup does not cease creating innovations.
Thirteen years after its inception in 2014 under then president Mitsonobu Sugata of Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP), the event’s 2027 edition will unfurl two major changes that should further excite racing buffs.
As announced by TMP president Masando Hashimoto at the Clark International Speedway in Mabalacat, Pampanga, during the fourth and final Weekend Race of the TGR on Oct. 24, next year’s races will see the debut of the GR 86 circuit and the Rookie Garage Academy.
The revelation further stamped Toyota’s lofty position as the country’s premiere motorsports advocate, installing the car brand as the undisputed racing frontrunner that has become increasingly hard to surpass, let alone equal, in prestige.
I can’t wait for the next season to blast off.
Meanwhile, I gladly give Allana Faith Rufo the floor once more for the blow-by-blow account of the concluding Weekend Race 4 at the Clark International Speedway, whose spic-and-span condition, by the way, is a result of San Miguel Corporation’s meticulous adherence to details-thanks to SMC chieftain Ramon S. Ang.
It is worth mentioning here that I enjoyed every minute of my ‘safari-like’ tour of the Clark circuit on Oct. 24, whose 18 corners are well-placed in the 4.8-kilometer track.
Once more, here is Allana Faith Rufo, TMP’s ever reliable motorsports writer under the wings of Jade Sison-Mendoza and Mixie Flavier:
‘The 2026 season of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippine Cup has come to a thrilling close.
‘Alain Gabriel Alzona from Toyota General Santos-Davao Racing, Bern Zaragoza from Resultado Racing, and Iñigo Anton frm Obengers Racing have emerged champions in their respective classes after four grueling and heated weekends, with the fourth and final race weekend happening last October 24 at the Clark International Speedway in Mabalacat, Pampanga.
‘Vios one-make race cars [OMR] battled it out in the Super Sporting, Sporting and Legacy Classes, while the Tamaraw OMRs went wheel-to-wheel in the Tamaraw Class.
SUPER SPORTING CLASS
‘THE penultimate sprint race, which awarded double points, saw intense action in the Super Sporting Class, as Joaquin Garrido, who started at P2, was able to secure the lead as early as the first turn.
‘A few laps later, Red Diwa was sent careening off course into the grass with an errant collision in the rear from Garrido but made a miraculous recovery by driving back into the track, regaining his position.
‘Garrido later encountered trouble and had to regroup at the pit, managing to reenter later in the race at the bottom position.
TAMARAW CLASS
‘Meanwhile, the penultimate Tamaraw Class race was tight, except for a climactic incident in the final lap, where Raymond Cudala veered off course at a corner while battling Oliver Aquino.
‘That made him give up the lead he was protecting throughout the whole race, resulting in David Enzo Ison crossing the finish line first.
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‘Ison, however, was later relegated to third place due to a time penalty for exceeding track limits.
GR 86 OMR
‘BEYOND the sprint races, huge moments were unfurled such as the unveiling of the GR 86 OMR through a track showcase for the public, and the announcement of the GR 86 Class for the 2027 season. TMP President Masando Hashimoto also revealed the Rookie Racing Garage Manila, a home for people who love cars.
Said Hashimoto: ‘Despite the challenges we faced this year, we continued to race with a purpose. Throughout the 2026 season, we learned, tested, improved and pushed ourselves forward. As always, we use motorsports as a platform to help shape a better future for mobility. While this season may be ending, our journey is entering an exciting new chapter. We look forward to welcoming a new generation of drivers and enthusiasts as we expand our racing platform to three one-make race classes: the Vios, the Tamaraw, and now, the GR86.’
‘Aside from the track activities, fans tried their hand at the sim racing rigs, drove remote control cars in a miniature off-road track, checked out official Gazoo Racing merchandise, and purchased car parts and accessories for their rides at the sponsors’ booths.
‘Coming off the heels of a successful 2026 season, TMP continues to push the limits of innovation for the better-and this year’s edition would not have been possible without the unwavering dedication of the racers, their teams, partners and the fervent support of the fans.
For Race Weekend 4, the Legacy Class podium in Sprint Race 7 was Paolo Ang in first, Oliver Estrella in second, and Gabie Desales in third. In Sprint Race 8, Ang finished first, Angelo Gabriel Matias second, and Estrella third.
In Sprint Race 10, Alain Gabriel Alzona, Red Diwa, and Joaquin Garrido placed first, second, and third in the Super Sporting Class. Bern Zaragoza, Julia De Los Angeles, and Mike Santos took the same positions in the Sporting Class, while Iñigo Anton, Oliver Aquino, and Jesse Garcia completed the Tamaraw Class podium.
In Sprint Race 11, Alzona finished first, Diwa second, and Michael Bryan Co third in Super Sporting. Joshua David Marquez won Sporting, followed by Santos and Luigi Co. Aquino topped Tamaraw, ahead of Anton and David Enzo Ison.
In Sprint Race 12, Maila Alivia won Super Sporting, followed by Diwa and Alzona. Zaragoza finished first in Sporting, with Bong Garbes second and Santos third. Anton won Tamaraw, followed by Raymond Cudala and Aquino.
For the 2026 season, Alzona was the Super Sporting champion, followed by Diwa and Joaquin Garrido. Zaragoza topped Sporting, ahead of Santos and Marquez. Anton led Tamaraw, followed by Aquino and Cudala.
In the 2026 Team Championship, Toyota Isabela-Resultado finished first, Toyota San Fernando-Gen San second, and Obengers Racing third.
The Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippine Cup was brought to you by Official Tire Partner GT Radial, Official Engine Oils Partner Petron RevX and Petron Blaze Racing, Official Partner Toyota Gazoo Racing Academy and Premier Race Partner Denso. In cooperation with MOMO Italy, PIAA, Sparco Philippines, Toyota Financial Services Philippines, Autoplus, Rota, and Varta.
This event is also supported by 3M, AVT, Quad, myToyota Wallet, OMP, Tuason Racing Sports Unlimited, Brakes by AutoPerformance, GENCHEM, Toyota Tsusho, and Toyota Aisin. Contributing sponsors are Aguila Auto Glass, Kinto One, AutoQuix, HKR Philippine Inc., Technol Eight Philippines, and Sun Logistics Technology Inc.
PEE STOP With the GR86 race happening in 2027, I suddenly remember my 86, which I traded for an Innova-V only a while back. No regrets, though. I did it for the family-the Innova being family-friendly…Arianne Colene Jalalon reports that Robert McAllister is the new country head of Inchcape Philippines. Cheers!