Toyota Gazoo Racing PH Cup Leg 2 race weekend rocks & roars

I still remember the smell of burnt rubber, mingling with the scents of Pinoy street food and someone's strong sunblock.

- ANGEL RIVERO

Engines roared as several Toyota Vios OMR (one-make-race) units zipped by, along the newly built streets of Villar City. "Here come the fast cars, Mama!" yelled my almost-3-year-old daughter.

The Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) Philippine Cup, formerly known as the Vios Cup, held its second race weekend for 2025 last May 24 and 25, in spectacular fashion — returning to a street race format for the first time in seven years (the last one being in Filinvest, Alabang back in 2018).

Over 12,000 people gathered to witness some Waku-Doki (heartpumping action) on the makeshift 2.4-kilometer circuit, carved out of a burgeoning cityscape just south of Manila. With 14 prominent turns, including hairpins and six chicanes, the street circuit promised drama and it delivered in spades! What makes the TGR Philippine Cup special isn't just the competition of speed; it's that anyone-yes, anyone, even your neighbor or officemate could be a part of it. Filipino racing dreams that may have once felt out of reach are now a reality, thanks to Toyota's commitment to making motorsports accessible. Admission was free. And the one-make-model is a humble Toyota Vios - an everyday sedan turned track warrior! The race series is now in its 11th year; and it proves that you don't always need a very expensive car to live out your racing fantasies. I remember that the Vios Cup has always been about democratizing motorsports, and the rebranded TGR Philippine Cup continues this legacy with pride.