Race Weekend 3 of the 2026 Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) Philippine Cup was held on Aug. 15, marking the series’ debut at the Batangas track in its 13-year history.
TMP said its move to a new circuit reflects TGR’s push to test both drivers and vehicles under more challenging conditions.
“Batangas Racing Circuit is a true racer’s track—fast, technical, and relentlessly demanding. For drivers who trust their craft, BRC has long been a dream circuit: a place that tests both skill and courage. As BRC celebrates its 30th anniversary, I am incredibly proud that TMP was able to bring the TGR Philippine Cup here for the very first time,” TMP president Masando Hashimoto said.
Biofuel push
The Batangas weekend also marked the second leg of TMP’s “rolling laboratory,” which uses motorsports to explore technologies that could contribute to more sustainable mobility.
The Vios one-make race cars continued to run on an E20 bioethanol blend, while the Tamaraw one-make race cars used a B5 coco-biodiesel blend.
TMP has been using racing as a testing ground for alternative fuels as part of its broader efforts to reduce carbon emissions while maintaining vehicle performance.
Competing for Team Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippines were Hashimoto, Justin “Buzzhype” Santos, Chenee Jimenez, Alex Lim, also known as BanaweBoy, Will Lucas and Enzo Ison.
Ison secured a podium finish after placing third in the Tamaraw Class Sprint Race 8.
Track action
The racing action began with a chaotic opening in the combined Sporting and Super Sporting Class Sprint Race 8 and Legacy Class Sprint Race 6.
A multi-car collision occurred less than 10 seconds after the start, with Julia de los Angeles’ car spinning onto the track and being knocked out of the race.
Red Diwa emerged in front of the Super Sporting Class and maintained the lead to take first place. Joaquin Garrido finished second, while Alain Alzona overtook Michael Bryan Co to secure third.
Alzona later delivered another strong performance in Super Sporting Class Sprint Race 9, passing race leader Co just before the first turn.
Co stayed close in an attempt to regain the lead, but Alzona held his position to take the victory. Alzona finished the Batangas weekend with two first-place finishes in three Super Sporting Class sprint races.
More collisions
The Tamaraw Class Sprint Race 9 also produced tense moments, with Ison’s vehicle carrying debris on its side before colliding with teammate Lucas and spinning out of control.
Jesse Garcia, winner of Tamaraw Class Sprint Race 7, and Russel Reyes were also knocked out following collisions late in the race.
Raymond Cudala grabbed an early lead, while Iñigo Anton and Oliver Aquino eventually secured the remaining podium positions.
The Batangas leg added another circuit to the TGR Philippine Cup as TMP seeks to challenge competitors on different tracks while using the racing series to test alternative-fuel technologies under demanding conditions.
Final weekend
The 2026 TGR Philippine Cup will hold its fourth and final Race Weekend at Clark International Speedway from Sept. 10 to 12.
TMP said the series would continue to serve as a platform for advancing innovation and exploring ways to make motorsports and mobility more sustainable.
The TGR Philippine Cup is supported by partners including GT Radial, Petron RevX and Petron Blaze Racing, Toyota Gazoo Racing Academy and DENSO, along with several automotive, technology and mobility companies. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
