Toyota Team Cebu wins opening leg of Vios Cup

CEBU, Philippines — Toyota Team Cebu (TTC) managed to sneak past three performing teams to bag the overall  Best Team Award in Leg 1 of the Toyota Vios Cup Season 5 over the weekend at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga.

TTC covered all categories with championship wins and podiums finishes with team captain Lord Seno leading the charge, scoring a championship in Race 2 spiced up with a second place finish in Race 3 of the Sporting class.

Bobby Pangilinan and Clive Fermin displayed stellar performances to rack up points for the team.  Fermin lived up to the team’s expectations as he zoomed his way to the checquered flag in Race 2 of the Promotional class.

“A lot of pressure was released after this win and it was not an easy win as Elysee Menorca, the lady driver from Obengers(Balintawak QC) was catching up. I had overheating tires already so I just had to focus on maximizing whatever I had left,” Fermin said. Pangilinan, who had qualifying pace problems on Friday, placed second in Race 3 after starting from 8th.

Ace drivers Jette Calderon and Sean Velasco had podium finishes to collect  team championship points for the team with Calderon winning third place in Race 1 and Velasco winding up fifth in Race 2 of the ultra competitive Super Sporting class.

“Our performance was just enough to go past Team Balintawak Obengers.  They are very strong in all the three categories.  The heat also was a challenge all throughout the racing weekend.  But I guess it was the same for all,” said Seno.

Team manager John Velasco said, “The team has been together for a good three years and since then, they have made one goal clear, get the overall team championship by 2018.  We are on the right track and we will continue to try our best to be on top of things.  We appreciate the support of the followers, Toyota Cebu and our sponsors. Without them, this will just be a dream of ours.”

Team Cebu now sits on top of the standings with 92 points followed by Team Obengers Balintawak, Toyota San Pablo and Toyota Biskeg. The second leg will be held in the streets of Filinvest, Alabang on July 27-29.

“We will do our best in the street circuit in Alabang.  I have a 50kg success weight ballast now and it will be tough winning.  But I’m sure Jette, Sean and the rest of the team will do good and rack up some points,” Seno added. (FREEMAN)