Race, refueled: Toyota takes biofuel testing to the track

Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. (TMP) will resume the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Philippine Cup from 9 to 11 July at Clark International Speedway in Mabalacat, Pampanga.

Race Weekend 2 will be the second of four rounds scheduled for the 2026 season. TMP placed the series on hold after its opening race in March.

The return will also give Toyota a venue to test lower-carbon fuels under race conditions. The company will use the Vios one-make race car and Tamaraw one-make race car to study how biofuel blends perform during competition.

The Vios race cars will run on a 20-percent bioethanol blend known as E20. The Tamaraw race cars will use a five-percent coco-biodiesel blend known as B5.

Toyota describes the series as a “rolling laboratory” because racing places greater stress on vehicles than regular driving. The Clark event will allow engineers to study fuel performance, efficiency and reliability during high-speed runs and repeated laps.

TMP first vice president for Vehicle Sales Operations Elijah Marcial said motorsports has long been used to test new technology before it reaches regular vehicles and daily use.

“Motorsports has always been a testbed for progress, and this season, TGR Philippines will take a step forward by actively exploring alternative fuels in competitive racing conditions,” Marcial said.

“Testing biofuels in motorsports allows us to evaluate performance, efficiency and reliability in high-demand environments, so this will be a pivotal moment for the wider adoption of low-carbon biofuels in the Philippines,” he added.

Toyota said around three-fourths of Toyota and Lexus gasoline models can already use E20. All Toyota diesel models sold in the country are compatible with B5.

TMP Vice President for Government and Industry Affairs Elvin Luciano said alternative fuels can help lower dependence on petroleum while the country develops other transport and energy options.

“As a company committed to reducing carbon emissions, we recognize that every activity must contribute meaningfully to a more sustainable future,” Luciano said.

“Alternative fuels help reduce dependency on non-renewables like petroleum, so using biofuel for our motorsports events aligns with our multi-pathway approach, which includes diversifying our energy sources to contribute to our broader goal of carbon neutrality,” he added.

The Philippine Cup began in 2014 as the Vios Cup and has since expanded beyond its original sedan-based format.

More than 6,000 spectators attended Race Weekend 1 at Riverpark in Cavite last March. The event also introduced the Tamaraw Racing Class, which uses a race car based on the locally assembled Tamaraw.

The new class joined the Vios Racing Class and gave the utility vehicle an unusual second job beyond hauling people and cargo.

Race Weekend 2 will open to spectators on 11 July. Admission is free.