By NIMROD NL QUIÑONES

www.fullpointcebu.com

 

Team Toyota Cebu hopes to make it big next weekend as the South Road Properties (SRP) in Cebu City hosts the biggest motorsports festival of the country, the Vios Cup 2.

This two-day event set on May 16 and 17 will feature the biggest starting grid in the history of motorsports in the Philippines.

Of the over 40 drivers set to participate, five of them are from Toyota Cebu.

Toyota Cebu drivers at the press conference. They are (from left) Jette Calderon, Sean Velasco, and Lord Seno.
Toyota Cebu drivers at the press conference. They are (from left) Jette Calderon, Sean Velasco, Oscar Suarez, and Lord Seno.

Lorenzo Sebastian ‘Lord’ Seno, one of the Cebuanos, who made it through the trainings held at Tuason Racing to qualify for the event, said that they are hopeful to make it to the top ten.

Seno told www.fullpointcebu.com that while those from other areas are about a year ahead of the Cebuanos in this race, he is confident that one of the young drivers would do well.

“I think Jette Calderon will make it to the podium,” Seno confidently said.

The 18-year-old Calderon has been a karter since he was four years old.

Other Cebuanos, who will be racing are Harold Ong, Sean Velasco and Oscar Suarez.

The people at the presidential table field questions during the press conference.
The people at the presidential table field questions during the press conference.

JP Tuason of Tuason Racing said that only those who have qualified in their school and have racing licenses are allowed to race.

He pointed out that this is a one-make race meaning that the cars are very similar to each other.  A scrutineer from Japan and another from the United States will be checking the cars to make sure that they meet the stringent requirements set for the races.

The practice and qualifying runs will be held on the 16th while the races will be held on Sunday.

There will be two categories – sporting and promotional.

The races will also feature some personalities from show business like Derek Ramsay, Phoemela Baranda, Kylie Padilla, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, and Jinno Rufino.

An exhibition by Japanese drift king Keiichi Tsuchiya will also be held on the 17th.  Some lucky fans will also get a chance to ride shotgun during this exhibition.

While a portion of the SRP will be close to traffic, the areas from Mambaling to the exit at the Malacañang sa Sugbo will be open.

Entrance to the event is free.

Organizers have also put in place several safety measures to ensure an enjoyable race and to keep the audience out of the race track.