Ford and Tuason Racing School at it anew

MANILA, Philippines - In what can only be described as motor racing’s equivalent of having a low cost airline, the longest-running professional racing school and multiple-championship winning team, Tuason Racing School (TRS), that hold national titles in drifting, GT class, touring cars and karting, has launched the TRS Cup, powered by the newest global hit, the Ford Fiesta, in a new one-make series that is set to make motor racing more accessible, affordable and competitive than anything else currently available in the local touring car scene.

Working on the tried and proven formula introduced back in 2004, when they launched the highly competitive Ford Lynx Cup, that propelled the careers of Pia Boren, Matteo Guidiccelli, Michelle Bumgarner and other well-known racing personalities into overdrive, TRS continued with the successful evolution into the Ford Focus Cup in 2007, and now trim the fat even further with the leaner, meaner, TRS Cup powered by the all-new Ford Fiesta.

“We have always aimed at making racing as accessible and affordable as possible.” says TRS founder, multi-awarded racing driver and road safety advocate JP Tuason, during an informal shake down of the newest TRS race car in the Batangas Racing Circuit last Sunday, August 21. “Our goal is to continually grow motor sports as a career choice for Filipinos, as we truly believe that this is one of the sports our countrymen can naturally excel in.”

Philippine motor sports has enjoyed some stratospheric highs and some devastating lows throughout its fifty year history, peaking in the sixties, seventies and eighties with the likes of Dodjie Laurel’s back to back win in Macau and Pocholo Ramirez’s famous duels with Arthur Tuason and Dante Silverio, as well as the dominant days of  Mandy Eduque and Vip Isada in rallying, not to mention the international success of folks like Jovy Marcelo, the Ramirez brothers and now Marlon Stockinger.

This is only covering the tip of the dipstick, of course, as many more Filipino drivers went on to achieve incredible results both locally and internationally, but as racing grew in popularity, so did the costs, reaching a stage where talent alone did not ensure you success. Hence the need for a controlled series. Trouble was, even a controlled series in something as basic as karting left a lot of room for to build up a financial advantage. Plus there was no real stepping stone to the next level.

This is what drove TRS to develop a local one make series that was controlled from bumper to bumper, packaging in everything from brake pads, to oil, to tires and mechanics, in the hope of providing a perfect platform for both beginners and seasoned pros alike by giving every driver an equal shot at the podium by ensuring that tire pressures and talent were the only variables – as well as filling in that massive void in between karting and a promising professional racing career.

For an initial investment of 999K, potential champions can kick off their professional career by availing of their own racing seat in the TRS Cup. Now that may sound like a lot, but considering that you get to keep the car, which is completely street legal, it starts making more and more sense. Drivers are not just allowed to source their own sponsors, but are actually encouraged to design their own livery, making it an equally attractive proposition for business looking to get more exposure in the high octane world of motor racing.

A company like Globe, for example, would be able to effectively promote their new high speed 4G internet stick that runs on the tag line “feed your need for speed”, by sticker-ing up an identically prepared Fiesta with all their logos and putting in a decent driver to run it. The Singapore Grand Prix or Indian Grand Prix tourism boards, on the other hand, may see it as a powerful tool to promote their upcoming events by zeroing in directly on their target markets.

And considering that the car is yours, there’s no limit to the amount of seasons you wish to join. Currently, TRS is targeting anywhere from 12-16 cars on the grid. And there is already talk of a separate novice and professional series so as not to discourage those with less track experience.

And if it all starts sounding too good to be true, keep in mind that the package is heavily subsidized by its partners, Castrol, Bridgestone, Ford Fiesta, Coke Zero, Hafele and C!Magazine to keep costs down and includes 2-day training with champion-makers JP & Mike Tuason, as well as running expenses for nine races over three race weekends, two sets of Bridgestone Tires, Castrol Oils and track side support. You will, however, need to supply your own fuel, both for the car and for your desire to be the best.