Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) recently hosted the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Academy Philippines (TGRA) at the Clark International Speedway, offering aspiring racers the exhilarating experience of driving on a professional racetrack.
The event kicked off with an orientation session, during which participants were introduced to the fundamentals of racing. The session covered essential topics such as racing etiquette, car control techniques, and braking points to prepare them for the track.
Putting skills to the test
In the program’s second half, participants applied their newly acquired knowledge through hands-on track activities. The slalom course challenged their agility, while the ‘follow the leader’ exercise allowed them to navigate the track’s straights and corners by following the racing line.
Many of the participants were first-time racers, eager to experience motorsports firsthand:
- Karis Alexandra Santos, a go-kart racer, expressed her excitement: “I race go-karts, so I wanted to try driving a car to see the differences. It’s similar in some ways but also very different because of the car’s size. For me, this was even more fun.”
- Nemuel Obas, a motorsports enthusiast, shared: “I’ve loved cars and racing since I was a kid, and I’m also fascinated by their mechanics. When I saw an opportunity to join the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Academy, I signed up immediately.”
- The comprehensive training pleasantly surprised Miguel Corrales: “I thought we’d just be doing basic exercises like avoiding cones and braking, but we actually got to drive around the track at good speeds.”
- Javi Rios fulfilled a lifelong dream: “Driving on a speedway has always been my goal. My kids encouraged me to enroll in TGRA, and I’m glad I did.”
- Ella Nicole Bornilla, an advocate for women in motorsports, highlighted the importance of inclusivity: “As a woman in motorsports, I’m excited to promote diversity in a male-dominated sport. The TGRA is the perfect place to bring this passion to life.”
Making motorsports accessible
TMP Assistant Vice President for Marketing Services Andy Ty emphasized the academy’s goal: “The TGRA is our way of making motorsports more accessible to racing fans. We’ll have more batches this year, so we invite those who missed the first session to join us next time.”
Since its launch in 2014, the TGRA has served as a training ground for aspiring racers, some of whom have gone on to compete professionally, including in TMP’s premier racing series, the TGR Philippine Cup.
Join the racing action
Racing enthusiasts can catch Race Weekend 1 of the TGR Philippine Cup on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at Clark International Speedway. Admission is free.
The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Academy Philippines is accredited by the Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP) and supported by Petron (Official Fuel & Lubricants Partner) and GT Radial (Official Tire Partner).
Other sponsors include Toyota Financial Services Philippines, myTOYOTA Wallet, Denso, AVT, 3M, ROTA, Tuason Racing, OMP, and Kinto One.
For more details on TGRA and upcoming events, visit Toyota GAZOO Racing Philippines. Follow TOYOTA GAZOO Racing on Facebook and Instagram, as well as Toyota Motor Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (@ToyotaMotorPH), and Viber (Toyota PH community) for updates.
