Toyota GR Supra GT Cup Asia PH Round 2 podium features names familiar and new

MANILA: A mix of new and familiar names were on the podium following the second round of the national emotorports program of Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP), the GR Supra GT Cup Asia Philippines.

Numerous players joined from the comfort of their homes — racing online using the signature sports car of Toyota, the GR Supra, on the Autopolis International Racing Course. After the playoffs and the finals, TMP named the official winners.

Luis Moreno, who also bagged the first place during the first round, dominated the Sporting Class. Miguel San Mateo and Terrence Lallave were in the second and third spots, respectively, and both of them were first-time Top 3 finishers.

For the Promotional Class, new Top 3 qualifier JB Cruz was announced as the first placer, followed by Lance Guballa and Lance Padilla, for the second and third spots, respectively. For Round 1, Guballa was in third place, while Padilla was second.

Round 2 points involves a 1.5 multiplier for points. The third round with doubled points will happen within this month and will be broadcast on September 26.

After the third round, cumulative points will decide the two overall winners, one from each class, who will be the representatives of the country at the Asian Regional Championship of the GR Supra GT Cup in October.

A third champion from the Celebrity vs. Media category will also represent the Philippines in the regional championship this September.

Sporting Class champion Moreno said, “I feel ecstatic for the win, considering the nature of the track. I am very happy to pull off another victory on a track I consider the toughest in the calendar. Unlike Suzuka, this track's nature does not have as much breathing room as it goes one corner after another. I also had to deal with how to overtake in this track considering I started in P9 and clean passes in this track are so difficult.”

Meanwhile, Promotional Class champion Cruz shared his gratitude for the emotorsports program as it enabled more racing enthusiasts to do their passion.

He expressed, “A child playing toy cars in a fashion that he's mindful about body roll, suspension, traction. etc. A kid waiting for cars to pass by and memorizing the brands and models, that was me. We couldn't afford to buy a car before, but videogames allowed me to dream of getting beautiful cars and to be a race car driver. This is the first time for me to enter a legit esports racing competition, and especially coming from Toyota and winning? A fulfilling experience that's what it is.”

The GR Supra GT Cup Asia Philippines magnifies the motorsport activities of TMP, which was headed by the Vios Racing Festival (VRF).

The VRF season this year has been canceled because of the pandemic, yet this has not hindered the TMP from upholding the heart-pumping excitement of racing or waku-doki.

TMP Vice President for Marketing Services Elijah Marcial explained, “The GR Supra GT Cup Asia Philippines e-race is really our way to continuously give a thrilling driving experience even with our limited physical movement. Many people are now confined to their homes, they probably miss bringing out their cars for a road trip or track day with friends. Let us not allow this pandemic to take away the fun and excitement of driving.  It’s a totally different experience, but with a virtual supra running at top speeds, a digital sound of engine revving, and a friend cheering for you in the comment box, it’s the joy of driving at a different level!”

The registration for the third round is currently open here.

The GR Supra GT Cup Asia Philippines is the first national online motorsport tournament of TMP that is organized under the Gazoo Racing brand of Toyota. Races are conducted virtually through the Gran Turismo game on the PlayStation platform.

Photos from Toyota

Also read: Toyota PH makes digital motorsport history with virtual GR Supra GT Cup Asia-PH