Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) is set to open the 2026 season of its long-running one-make racing series, the Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippine Cup (Toyota GR Cup), this March. The event will be held from March 13 to 15, 2026 at Riverpark in General Trias, Cavite. The upcoming race weekend marks a significant milestone for the Japanese car brand as the series introduces a new locally developed race vehicle and a new venue aimed at bringing motorsport action closer to Filipino fans.
Now in its 12th season, the Toyota GR Cup continues TMP’s effort to keep the racing spirit alive by making it more accessible to the public. According to TMP, admission to the event will be free, allowing spectators to witness competitive racing alongside lifestyle and entertainment activities. The brand shared that last year’s season attracted more than 12,000 visitors, highlighting the growing popularity of grassroots racing in the country.
Headlining the 2026 season is the much-anticipated debut of the Toyota Tamaraw One-Make Race (OMR) machine, which will compete under a new category called the Tamaraw Racing Class. Developed from the Tamaraw Racing Concept previewed in 2025, the race-ready platform underwent extensive testing before TMP gave it the go-signal for availability to racing teams earlier this year.
Drivers representing Team Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippines include TMP President Masando Hashimoto alongside newcomers Chenee Jimenez, Alex Lim, Justin Buzzhype, Enzo Ison, and Will Lucas. As with previous seasons, they will compete against professional racers and former Vios Cup champions.
Returning classes such as Sporting, Super Sporting, and Legacy will continue to feature the Vios OMR machine, with an expected grid of 30 racers battling it out for the win throughout the weekend. Participants will be challenged to tackle a 2.4 km temporary street circuit built within Riverpark, a Federal Land community located approximately 35 minutes away from Metro Manila.
Beyond the on-track action, attendees can explore displays of performance Toyota GR vehicles, Lexus models, and upcoming Toyota products, including the RAV4 HEV and Urban Cruiser EV. Interactive attractions such as e-motorsport simulation rigs and official Toyota GR merchandise booths will also be available. Finally, TMP said that Toyota car club members will gain exclusive access to dedicated track day sessions, allowing enthusiasts to take their Toyotas for a spin within a safe, controlled environment.
The opening round of the 2026 Toyota GR Cup will be streamed live via Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippines’ official facebook page and YouTube channel, expanding access to fans nationwide.
Autocar’s Take
The Toyota GR Cup’s move to open the 2026 season with a street race format shows how local motorsport is evolving beyond traditional racing circuits. By bringing the event closer to more communities, TMP is lowering barriers for fans who may not be able to visit racetracks in long-distance locations such as the Batangas Racing Circuit (BRC) in Batangas or the Clark International Speedway (CIS) in Pampanga.
While the event’s closer proximity to Metro Manila is great news to start the season, the more exciting bit is the official introduction of the Tamaraw as a full-on race truck. In regions such as Australia, the truck racing concept is nothing new, with production models such as the Holden Colorado (known elsewhere as the Chevrolet Colorado), Isuzu D-Max, Mazda BT-50, Mistubishi Triton, and Toyota Hilux competing in what is called the V8 SuperUte Series.
While the models mentioned are made to race with high-performance modifications under more technical regulations, the main idea of using production trucks as opposed to the usual passenger cars for officially sanctioned racing events in the Philippines is what makes the Tamaraw OMR series something worth watching. Events like this help cultivate future Filipino racers while sustaining enthusiasm among racing aficionados.
