Toyota Gazoo Racing names 2026 champions, confirms GR86 class for 2027

Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippine Cup concluded its 2026 season at Clark International Speedway in Pampanga on October 24, with Alain Gabriel Alzona, Bern Zaragoza and Iñigo Anton securing the overall championships in their respective racing classes.

The final round completed four race weekends featuring Vios one-make race cars in the Super Sporting, Sporting and Legacy classes, alongside the Tamaraw race trucks competing in their inaugural season.

Alzona of Toyota General Santos-Davao Racing claimed the Super Sporting championship, finishing ahead of Toyota Isabela’s Red Diwa and Obengers Racing’s Joaquin Garrido.

Resultado Racing’s Zaragoza secured the Sporting title, with Mike Santos of R Racing taking second overall and Joshua David Marquez of Obengers Racing placing third.

Anton delivered the inaugural Tamaraw championship for Obengers Racing, followed by Oliver Aquino of Toyota Bicutan Racing Team and Raymond Cudala of R Racing Team.

Toyota Isabela-Resultado also secured the team championship, ahead of Toyota San Fernando-Gen San and Obengers Racing.

The championship finale featured several closely contested races, including a double-points Super Sporting sprint in which Garrido seized the lead from second on the grid.

A collision involving Garrido sent Diwa off the circuit and onto the grass. Diwa recovered and continued racing, while Garrido later encountered trouble that forced him into the pits before rejoining at the back of the field.

The Tamaraw competition produced another late-race incident when Cudala went off course while battling Aquino on the final lap of the penultimate sprint.

David Enzo Ison crossed the finish line first but subsequently received a time penalty for exceeding track limits, dropping him to third behind Aquino and Anton.

Alzona won two races during the final weekend, while Maila Alivia of Toyota Isabela-Edgesport Racing claimed victory in the last Super Sporting sprint. Zaragoza and Anton each collected two victories in their respective classes.

Paolo Ang of Madkart-R Racing also completed a sweep of the weekend’s two Legacy Class races.

Beyond the championship results, Toyota Motor Philippines gave spectators their first public track showcase of the GR86 one-make race car and confirmed the addition of a GR86 racing class for the 2027 season.

The new category will join the Vios and Tamaraw competitions, bringing the Philippine Cup to three one-make racing platforms.

Toyota Motor Philippines president Masando Hashimoto said the company would continue using motorsports to develop vehicles and drivers.

“We look forward to welcoming a new generation of drivers and enthusiasts as we expand our racing platform to three one-make race classes: the Vios, the Tamaraw, and now, the GR86,” Hashimoto said.

He also announced plans to open Rookie Racing Garage Manila, a new facility intended for automotive and motorsports enthusiasts.

The final race weekend included simulator racing activities, remote-controlled car driving and displays of motorsports equipment and accessories.