In the Philippines, only the privileged few can get into racing. The reason is quite obvious, it’s a sport that is too expensive for many Filipinos. This is why motorsports are very unpopular in the country. In fact, it is even more unusual than soccer.

Although unpopular, motorsports in the country are not dead. There are many race events in the Philippines, such as FlatOut Race Series, National Drift Championship, Touge Battle, and more. It’s just that most of them are unheard of to many, even to most car enthusiasts in the country. There is one race though that is somehow popular, thanks to its star-studded lineups, extensive promotion, and expensive production. It’s none other than the Toyota Gazoo Racing Vios Cup. 

The Toyota Gazoo Racing Vios Cup in the Philippines has been around since 2014. Since then, it has given many individuals a platform to showcase their talents. Celebrities, influencers, media personalities, and actual racers compete in this event using locally manufactured Vios with similar modifications. More importantly, this huge event from Toyota Motor Philippines is actively promoting motorsports in the country.

Fortunately, I was given the chance to participate in the second leg of this event. I was there not just as a media but as a participant in the Autocross Challenge as well. The whole event was filled with fun, excitement, and thrill which I personally experienced, giving me a more in-depth understanding of this largest and longest-running one-make race in the Philippines. Allow me to share it with you.

Starting with the obvious, every Vios Cup is always star-studded. This is the reason why the event is not just a sight to see but also the talk of the town. To my surprise, these celebrities were not just there to give glam and aesthetic to the event. They are well-skilled and never fail to give their fans a good race. In fact, still fresh in my memory are Daniel Matsunaga, Troy Montero, and Fabio Ide racing each other fiercely on the track. Every lap was truly breathtaking.

Equally exciting about the Vios Cup is the new addition which is the autocross challenge. This is the segment where I participated. In this race category, drivers have to drive across a set of obstacle courses. The goal is to finish the track perfectly in the shortest possible time. However, this is not as easy as it sounds. It is a very challenging and thrilling segment.

The lineup is filled with veteran drivers and total beginners just like me. Same as the circuit racing, it was also filled with media personalities such as Enzo Pineda, Laura Lehmann, Winwyn Marquez, Aaron Villaflor, John Manalo, Gab Lagman, and more.

To cut the story short, I did not make it. Nevertheless, the Vios Cup was truly an amazing experience. I learned a lot during that race weekend. For one, I realized that the Toyota Vios is a very potent car. With the right setup, it can easily be a capable track car. The best part is that parts are widely available for this car. A great convenience since track cars are prone to breakdowns due to heavy beating.

I also realized that Toyota Motor Philippines is going to great lengths just to give Filipinos races like the Vios Cup. Without a doubt, race events like the Vios Cup are very expensive to set up, promote, and organize. This is why they are the only car manufacturer to promote motorsports in the country. As a fan of motorsports, I can’t help but be grateful that Toyota is doing such a thing, especially when they don’t have to. Even now that my participation in the event is over, I will still continue to support this local motorsport event as long as it’s around.

The second leg of the Vios Cup just ended last October 16. The third and final leg is scheduled for November 6 this year. You can watch the event live through the official Facebook page of Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippines and Toyota Motor Philippines.