Here’s how Team PH is preparing for the TGR GT Cup 2023 Asia Finals

You supported your favorites as they virtually raced to win the TGR GT Cup Philippines 2023 National Finals last August 24. Now, gear up for the regionals edition: the TGR GT Cup 2023 Asia Finals! Emerging victorious from the nationals and representing the country in Malaysia on September 24 are Russel Reyes, Matthew Ang, and Luis Moreno, collectively known as Team Philippines!

Meet Team Toyota Philippines 2023

What started as a hobby for Reyes, Ang, and Moreno evolved into a full-fledged passion. To earn the right to represent the country against Asia's other sim racing champs, these pros undertook years of practice, participated in countless competitions, and constantly pushed their limits for the better.

In the national finals, the trio took on Trial Mountain in GR 86s; Sardegna - Rally Cross in GR Yaris RZs; and Mount Panorama in GR Supra Race Car '19s.

Decorated sim racer Reyes, who was also part of Team Philippines last year, bagged first place, having shown consistency in all the rounds and winning two out of three.

Sporting Class newcomer Ang finished second, with a notable performance on the Sardegna - Rally Cross dirt race track.

Rounding out Team Philippines is Moreno, who finished third place. He is a comebacking veteran in the competition and the TGR GT Cup Philippines 2021 Champion.

The preparations

Drifting, heel toe shifting, clutch kick, chokudori—all of it takes practice. Just ask the pros!

“[I pratice] about six hours every other day. Sometimes, even every day,” said Reyes. The sim racer also analyzes data for racing teams outside of virtual racing, which is a huge advantage since he can use his findings to improve his own performance.

The veteran likes racing on wet tracks in particular, and dreams of conquering Australia's infamous Mount Panorama Circuit some day.

Meanwhile, Ang is amazing at traversing dirt tracks like Italy’s Sardegna race course. To prepare for the regionals, he does one hour of practice daily on different tracks right after waking up. He would then take and study notes so he can improve his gameplay and beat his own record.

Moreno, for his part, loves all kinds of circuit races. His training regimen includes three to four hours of straight practice after work. He would take on different racing scenarios and weather conditions, test different strategies, and try different driving styles. He added, “It's a long race. Anything can happen!”

Eventually, the three want to coach other Filipino sim racers and transition into real racing.

Learn more about how they got into sim racing, their preparations, and what they plan to do in the future in the video below:

So, get ready for an epic showdown as sim racers from the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand compete for global glory at the TGR GT Cup 2023 Asia Finals regionals stage!

Support Team Philippines by tuning in to the live broadcast on the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Philippines Facebook page on September 24, 2023. Watch our champions push the limits for the better and make our nation proud. Now, let the showdown begin!