‘Masa’ gets competitive at 2025 Toyota GR PH Cup opening races

MANILA: We will not be surprised if Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) President Masando Hashimoto would earn a few more fans as a racer.

This as the company executive took spots at the podium on all three races at the opening round of this year’s Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippine Cup.

For the competition’s first Sprint Race of the year, Hashimoto — who is one of the members of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippines’ Novice Team — crossed the checkered flag at the second spot, trailing sim racer Luis Moreno. Taking third place is Pablo Salapantan.

Further, the TMP president placed third on both Sprint 2 and Endurance Races — just jumbling positions with Vios Cup Autocross Challenge graduates Moreno and John Rey San Diego.

With such finishes at the podium, we will not be surprised if we will be a part of the works team that TMP is eyeing to put up. 

Other category winners

Meanwhile, Jesse Garcia and race veteran Maila Alivia are leading the Sporting and Super Sporting Classes, respectively.

Showing that they still got firepower in the Legacy Class sprint races were JV Ejercito (who won his first Vios Cup race in 2017), and Paolo Ang, (2021 and 2023 Sporting Class runner-up).

Check out the full list of winners here:

Race 1: Sprint Race 1

Novice
Rank	Name	Team
1	Luis Moreno	Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippines Novice Team
2	Masando Hashimoto	Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippines Novice Team
3	Pablo Salapantan	Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippines Novice Team

 

Legacy
Rank	Name	Team
1	Paolo Ang	R Racing – MADkart
2	Luigi Agustin Co	Gel Napat Racing – R Racing
3	JV Ejercito	Obengers Racing – Toyota Balintawak

 

Sporting
Rank	Name	Team
1	Russel Reyes	Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippines
2	Julia de los Angeles	Obengers Racing – Toyota Balintawak
3	Jesse Garcia	Obengers Racing – Toyota Balintawak

 

Super Sporting
Rank	Name	Team
1	Maila Alivia	Toyota Isabela
2	Russel Cabrera	Toyota Team Cebu
3	Jarond Mesina	Dash Racing x Era Autosport

Race 2: Sprint 2

Novice
Rank	Name	Team
1	John Rey San Diego	Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippines Novice Team
2	Luis Moreno	Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippines Novice Team
3	Masando Hashimoto	Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippines Novice Team

 

Legacy
Rank	Name	Team
1	Paolo Ang	R Racing – MADkart
2	Luigi Agustin Co	Gel Napat Racing – R Racing
3	Andre Rodrigues	Oyi Racing

 

Sporting
Rank	Name	Team
1	Russel Reyes	Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippines
2	Raymond Cudala	R Racing – MADkart
3	Mike Santos	R Racing – MADkart

 

Super Sporting
Rank	Name	Team
1	Maila Alivia	Toyota Isabela
2	Alain Gabriel Alzona	Toyota General Santos – Smart Communications Racing
3	Russel Cabrera	Toyota Team Cebu

 

Race 3: Endurance Race 1

Novice
Rank	Name	Team
1	Luis Moreno	Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippines Novice Team
2	Masando Hashimoto	Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippines Novice Team
3	John Rey San Diego	Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippines Novice Team

 

Sporting
Rank	Name	Team
1	Jesse Garcia	Obengers Racing – Toyota Balintawak
2	Julia de los Angeles	Obengers Racing – Toyota Balintawak
3	Raymond Cudala	R Racing - MADkart

 

Super Sporting
Rank	Name	Team
1	Iñigo Anton	Obengers Racing – Toyota Balintawak
2	Russel Cabrera	Toyota Team Cebu
3	Alain Gabriel Alzona	Toyota General Santos – Smart Communications Racing

 

Club Race

Winner	Class
Angelo Magtoto	GR Supra
Christopher Co	GR 86
Miguel Antolin	GR Yaris

The first race weekend also gave GR performance and Lexus car owners to have their vehicles go round the track while fans of Toyota’s GR lineup and Lexus’ F Sport series also got to see the vehicles up close at the display area.   

Meanwhile, more freebies and prizes were given to event goers at the sponsors’ booths. They were also given the opportunity to try remote control and sim racing and purchase diecast collectibles.

“At TGR Philippines, we stay committed to our goal of growing an inclusive and exciting motorsports hub where we can all come together and celebrate our love for cars and motorsports. This year, we are celebrating 11 years of the TGR Philippine Cup, and it is our pride and honor to continue bringing you the thrill and joy that only TGR can bring!” shared Hashimoto noted.

The next race weekend will happen in May.

The Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippine Cup’s Official Fuel and Lubricants Partner is Petron and while its Tire Partner, GT Radial. The event is also supported by Toyota Financial Services Philippines, myTOYOTA Wallet, Denso, AVT, 3M, ROTA, Tuason Racing, OMP, and Kinto One.

Also read:

Zigwheels claims top spot in Vios Cup 2023 season

Zigwheels, Carmudi end Toyota GR Vios Cup 2023 season with podium finishes

Toyota PH announces return of Vios Cup, GT Cup this year