Even rainy weather couldn’t dampen the excitement at the final round of the 2022 Toyota Gazoo Racing Vios Cup held on Nov. 19, 2022.

Despite the variable conditions that made parts of Clark International Speedway particularly slippery last weekend, some 55 drivers in the Circuit Championship and Autocross Challenge fought their way to the podium.

“With the TGR Vios Cup 2022 season coming to a close, there’s a lot more to expect for next season as TMP continues to level up and bring the love for local racing to motorsports enthusiasts nationwide,” Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) said in a November 2022 press statement.

“No pumping of brakes here, with TGR Vios Cup gaining its speed for more turns, drifts, and racing thrills for the next season,” the carmaker added.

TMP said it would officially announce the 2022 Gazoo Racing Vios Cup overall winners on December 2022.

Dancing in the wet

In Race 9 of the Circuit Championship, OTR Racing Team’s Jay Lao bagged the top step in Promotional Class, followed by Toyota Team Cebu’s Ian Rosales and Alzona Racing Team – Toyota General Santos’ Alain Alzona.

In the higher Sporting Class, young gun Joaquin Garrido of Toyota Otis – Obengers Team brought home the gold. Michael Feilani Jordan of Jordan Racing Team and Jiro Garbes of JBT Racing/Toyota San Fernando were trailing behind him.

Finally, racing superstar Inigo Anton bagged first place in the top-rank Super Sporting Class, with JBT Racing/Toyota Isabela’s Red Diwa and Obenger Racing – Funhanmart’s John Dizon clinching second and third, respectively.

Straight sweeps in Autocross Challenge

Some familiar names wrapped up the season in the Vios Autocross Challenge by successfully defending their wins in the first two rounds.

They include YugaAuto’s Pablo Salapantan, who once again finished first in the Media Promotional Class. Siegwald Go of C! Magazine and Top Gear Philippines’ Riz Javier comprised the rest of the podium.

Meanwhile, AutoIndustriya.com’s Jamil Lacuna also took home his third straight win of the season in Media Sporting Class, echoing the exploits of his colleague and two-time Vios Cup Autocross Challenge champion Jose Altoveros.

Joining Lacuna were Ron De Los Reyes from Daily Tribune and Kevin Francisco of The Modern Creatures.

In the Promotional Influencer Class, Miggy Romulo beat out second-placer Ashley Gosiengfiao and third-placer Carla Lizardo with some strong driving throughout the day.

Among the Sporting Influencer drivers, Enzo Pineda beat out all the others with a convincing first-place finish. Making up the rest of the podium were veteran racers Jules Aquino in second and Arron Villaflor in third.

Lastly, the young guns in the GR GT Cup Class showed that they aren’t just beasts in sim racing.

Veteran sim racer Russel Reyes broke a nail-biting points tie with fellow legend Luis Moreno by bagging the top spot in this round. Jether Miole and Mark Elman took home second and third places, respectively.

Are you ready for the 2023 season of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Vios Cup?