Toyota PH Celebrates Passion for Motorsports at Gazoo Racing Festival

MANILA: Toyota Motor Philippines staged the biggest Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) gathering in the country last August 23 and 24 as part of its 35th anniversary celebration.

Over 6,000 spectators at Quirino Grandstand and 2.6 million livestream viewers witnessed the thrilling motorsports action at the TGR Festival 2023.

Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman Akio Toyoda, also known as Morizo in the racing scene, graced the event and showcased his drifting skills with the Toyota GR Yaris WRC rally car.

"I developed a car because I wanted to see the smiles of the people. You ask people and you give them what they want," Morizo stated.

Japanese racers Norihiko Katsuta and Masahiro Sasaki of the Toyota Gazoo Racing team also showcased their drifting prowess with the Toyota WRC Yaris and Red Bull GR Corolla that they use in international racing events.

Filipino racers Alex Perez, Luis Gono, Marlon Stockinger, and Ryan Agoncillo also joined the event, performing with the Toyota GR Supra, Toyota GR Yaris, and Toyota GR 86.

The Japanese and Filipino racers participated in a gymkhana driving challenge where Stockinger was hailed as the overall winner.

"It's loud, it's crazy, a lot of tire burning, the smells - you just feel like you're at the race track, even if we're here at Quirino Grandstand," Stockinger said.

Local racers also got a chance to showcase their skills at the Gymkhana Time Attack and Drifting Competition.

On the first day, Angelo Magtoto won the Gymkhana Time Attack competition. Jason Chuang finished second, followed by Christopher Co in third place.

On the second day, John Erik Barrera won in the first batch, followed by Mickey Carbonell and Matt Frederic See in second and third places, respectively. Andre Tan ruled the second batch, with Russel Cabrera in second place and Makol Pasumbal in third place.

For the Drifting Competition that happened on the first day of the event, Hanz Jimenez placed first, followed by Paolo Agregado in second place and Bryan Revilla in third place.

TGR performance cars, such as the Toyota GR Supra, Toyota GR 86, and Toyota GR Yaris, were also on display at the event along with the recently unveiled next-generation Tamaraw Concept.

TGR merchandise such as caps, shirts, jackets, and other souvenirs, were also available at the event.

The TGR Festival 2023 was made even more exciting with performances by BGYO, Ely Buendia, and Ben&Ben on the first day, and Parokya ni Edgar and Kamikazee on the second day.

Photos from Toyota Motor Philippines and Hazel Nicole Carreon

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