Next week, the Batangas Racing Circuit will once again play host to 12 drivers who aspire to be included on the list of Tuason Racing School’s elite car racers.
Dubbed as the TRS Cup powered by the Ford Fiesta, the 12 included Ross Jackes, Daisy Jackes, Yvana Carangan, Ding Dizon, Stefan Wolf, Basti Escalante, businessman Charlie Cojuangco, Parañaque City Councilor Benjo Bernabe, Paulo Bringas, as well as foreign hopefuls Eric Choi from Guam, Daniel Charles from Singapore and Manikandan Ramachandran from India.
A party was recently held at The Plaza at the Newport Mall inside the Resorts World Manila to welcome the 12.
Grassroots program
The TRS Cup powered by the Ford Fiesta continues the annual grassroots circuit car program developed by TRS to provide a cost-effective entry point into circuit car racing.
Since 2003, TRS has been mounting a one-make series races that started with the TRS-Ford Lynx Cup. This was later followed by the TRS-Ford Focus Cup series that ran from 2005 to 2010.
This year’s edition of the TRS Cup will also introduce the Racing Team Owners (RTO) program in which those who intend to own and manage a racing car or team may avail of TRS’ all-in package.
1.4-liter Ford Fiesta
For just under P1 million, the package will entitle interested parties to a brand-new manual 1.4-liter Ford Fiesta already equipped with all the racing modifications required for safety, plus the basic running cost and consumables for three legs.
“Car racing is another sport that could be as popular as boxing and football here in the Philippines. I believe that racing would be the next sport that Filipinos will be well-known for and excel in. Filipinos are naturally good drivers and have the innate skills to be fast. A little honing and polishing, and a lot of Filipinos could become globally competitive,” said JP Tuason, founder and president of TRS.
In fact, this annual program of the TRS has become pivotal affair for many aspiring car racers who were given the chance to hone their skill before joining the national series.
Attention
The program even got the attention of drivers from other countries, who use it as their training ground for refining their skills.
The TRS Cup powered by the Ford Fiesta is sponsored by Castrol, Bridgestone, Standard Insurance, Coke Zero, Hafele, Ford Alabang, Smart Bro and Smart Netphone.
Tuason said he is grateful for the sponsors who subsidized some of the cost to make the program an encouraging investment for the driver participants.
Longest-running
The TRS Cup is the longest-running and only professional racing school in the country.
Established in 1999 by brothers and multi-awarded car drivers, JP and Mike Tuason (sons of the late racing legend Arthur Tuason) and supported by their wives Jeanette and Brenda, the TRS has successfully organized the racing careers of start-ups for various racing disciplines such as karting, circuit car and formula cars.
The school also provides an accessible entry point via racing clinics and classes that give individuals a taste of racing without the excessive cost traditionally associated with this type of sport.
After graduation, the racer can join the one-make series or join the TRS Racing Team.
“TRS’ vision is to make the Philippines the racing hub for the region and to make Filipino racers globally competitive,” said Tuason.