Participants kicked off the program with an in-depth orientation covering racing fundamentals, track etiquette, car control techniques, and braking points. The second half of the event saw students put theory into practice through a series of guided track activities.
One highlight was the slalom course, which tested drivers' agility as they maneuvered through tight turns. The “follow the leader” drill allowed participants to familiarize themselves with the track’s straights and corners while following an instructor’s racing line.
The event was met with enthusiasm, particularly from first-time racers. Karis Alexandra Santos, who has prior experience in go-karting, was eager to test her skills in a race car. “It’s almost the same, but also different because the car is bigger. For me, I feel like this is even more fun.”
Racing enthusiast Nemuel Obas shared his lifelong fascination with motorsports: “Since I was young, I’ve loved cars and watching races. I’m also intrigued by the mechanics behind them, so when I saw a slot for TGRA, I signed up immediately.”
For Ella Nicole Bornilla, the event was about breaking barriers: “As a woman in motorsports, I’m excited to promote diversity in this male-dominated sport. The TGRA is the perfect place to fuel this passion.”
“The TGRA is our way of making motorsports more accessible to racing fans,” shared TMP assistant vice president for marketing services Andy Ty. “We’ll have more batches of the TGRA this year, so we invite those who missed this first batch to join us in the next ones.”
Launched in 2014, TGRA has produced racers who have gone on to compete professionally, including in TMP’s TGR Philippine Cup. Fans can catch Race Weekend 1 of the TGR Philippine Cup this Saturday, March 22, 2025, at Clark International Speedway—free admission.
The Toyota Gazoo Racing Academy Philippines is accredited by the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP) and brought to you by official fuel & lubricants partner Petron and official tire partner GT Radial. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
