Toyota Tamaraw goes racing: From workhorse to track star

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BY next year, one of the most iconic names in Philippine motoring will swap its load bed for a starting grid. Yes -- the Tamaraw is going racing.

Toyota Tamaraws line up on the Clark International Speedway grid before the demo sprint race. PHOTOS FROM TOYOTA

During the season finale of the Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) Vios Cup at Clark International Speedway, Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) pulled the wraps off a bold new addition to its motorsport arsenal: the Tamaraw One-Make Race, set to debut as a separate category in 2026. And if the sprint demonstration was any indication, this is going to be one wild ride.

The Tamaraw, a name synonymous with durability and dependability, is now being reimagined as a track and drag racing weapon. Built by the legendary tuning house Autoplus, led by Carlos Gono and Luis Gono, the race-prepped Tamaraws are nothing short of mechanical art. Fans at Clark got to see -- and hear -- them in action for the very first time, driven by past Vios Cup champions in a door-to-door sprint that had cameras clicking and jaws dropping.

Toyota Tamaraws battle for position through a tight turn during the sprint race.

The circuit racing Tamaraw is a full transformation. Autoplus stripped the interior bare and welded in a roll-cage, bolted on a racing seat and harness, fitted a power kill switch, safety net, fire extinguisher, and tow hooks. Under the hood, a larger intercooler, racing exhaust, and Ravenol RCS Racing Oil give the stock engine a sharper edge, while the drivetrain benefits from a racing clutch, limited-slip diff, and Ravenol VSG transmission oil.

TRD Tein suspension, racing brake pads with braided lines, Ravenol Racing 325 brake fluid, and a perfectly dialed-in race alignment make sure it corners like no Tamaraw has ever cornered before.

Toyota Tamaraws speed down the straight at the Clark International Speedway.

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Then there's the drag racing Tamaraw, tuned to a tire-shredding 320 wheel horsepower and 702 Newton-meters torque. It packs a custom compound twin-turbo setup, upgraded intercooler and piping, a custom 3-inch open exhaust, plus aero pieces like a rear wing and front lip to keep it planted when the boost hits. It's an unapologetic straight-line bruiser, built to tempt drag racers into giving the Tamaraw a shot on the strip.

TMP President Masando Hashimoto couldn't hide his excitement. "The Tamaraw has always been a symbol of durability and versatility for Filipinos. Bringing it to the race track is something fresh, exciting, and uniquely ours. We want to show that motorsports can go beyond the usual -- this is about creating new experiences for our racers and fans."

Toyota Tamaraws cross the finish line in the demo sprint race at Clark International Speedway.

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For Andy Ty, TMP Assistant Vice President for Marketing Services, the Tamaraw One-Make Race is about expanding horizons. "It's about giving more people the chance to experience the Gazoo Racing spirit. The Tamaraw is a new platform that can also inspire other motorsport disciplines like drag racing."

TMP is targeting at least 30 race trucks on the grid next season -- a bold goal that could make it one of the most visually unique racing fields in the country.

Ty also revealed plans to make the race-spec Tamaraw available as a complete, ready-to-run package by the time the 2026 season kicks off. "We are working to make these Tamaraw race trucks available as complete race-ready packages by next year. We want to lower the barrier for entry into motorsports while keeping it competitive and thrilling."

The announcement was the perfect exclamation point for a season that's already been one for the books. In May, the TGR Vios Cup returned to street circuit racing for the first time in seven years, transforming Villar City into a temporary motorsport playground.

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The roads echoed with the sound of tuned engines as fans packed the sidewalks for a close-up view of the action. For many, it was a throwback to the golden age of Philippine street racing -- only now with all the precision and professionalism of a manufacturer-backed series.

This year also saw the introduction of the Legacy Class for older Vios Cup race cars, plus a record-breaking grid of over 70 cars. With each round, the series proved that it's more than just racing -- it's a community, a proving ground, and a showcase for both grassroots talent and high-performance machinery.

But the Tamaraw's arrival might just be the boldest move yet. It's not every day you see a vehicle known for hauling cargo reimagined to clip apexes or launch off the line in a haze of tire smoke. For Filipino motorsport fans, it's an entirely new storyline: The workhorse becoming a racehorse.

Hashimoto summed it up perfectly: "This is not just about racing trucks -- it's about pushing boundaries, developing local motorsport talent, and giving fans something they have never seen before. The Tamaraw One-Make Race will be uniquely Filipino, and we can't wait to see the grid full next year."

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From the tight street course of Villar City to the flat-out straights of Clark, Toyota has shown that the TGR Cup is more than just a race -- it's a platform for fresh ideas and bold moves. And in 2026, the Tamaraw will swap its hauling duties for a shot at the checkered flag.