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| (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/Tuason Racing) |
Tuason Racing (TR), the country’s leading motorsports events company, now celebrating its 23 years in the business sees the growth of the Esports racing community and the introduction of the hybrid racing events for 2022 to make fulfilling filipino racing dreams pandemic proof. Founded by husband and wife tandem JP and Jeanette Tuason, the former, a champion race car driver and the latter, a marketing professional, combined their skill sets to start Tuason Racing School (TRS) in 1999, offering kart racing clinic to friends and enthusiast.
Tuason Racing believed in creating a career path for Filipino talents. Following their tag line LEARN, RACE and WIN. They started making the sport accessible to more enthusiasts and help grow the community. The next step was to create a venue for them to compete with same skill level individuals, which gave birth to the One Make Race Series (OMR). Since 2003 they have been organizing (OMR) programs starting with the Ford Lynx Cup, Ford Focus Cup and the Ford Fiesta Cup and now with one of the largest racing grids in Asia the Toyota Gazoo Racing Vios Cup which pre pandemic had almost 70 cars on the grid. To complete the ladder, Tuason Racing brought forth once again the single seater race cars in 2018 called Formula V1. The car was partly Filipino made, developed in partnership with West Race Cars Japan. Winners of the the series were given an opportunity to race abroad against other Formula V1 Racers.
When the pandemic hit, Tuason Racing did a pioneering pivot into eSports by launching the Race for Frontliners and the homegrown esports race series the Formula V1 Virtual Cup. They also helped Toyota organize the Toyota Gazoo GT Cup. In 2021, following the practices of international race series like Formula 1, Tuason Racing activated on ground race activities such as the Toyota GR Vios Cup and Giti Formula V1 Challenge with no spectators with races streamed live online. Both series garnered millions of online views. On the flip side, Tuason Racing also teaches road safety and was able to conduct several successful online seminars for companies and students.
According to Tuason Racing Chief Executive Officer JP Tuason, "For 2022, I think we have made some of our programs pandemic proof. I think the virus is something we all have to live with and life must go on. We were sidetrack by the pandemic, but last year we were able to make changes that allowed us to continue the on ground races safely. The streaming of races also allowed us to reach more race fans.” This year, one of the company’s focus will be on growing the eSports racing community. The digital life has been pushed forward and believe it another career path where Filipinos can be successful in. “We saw the growth of this segment in the younger generations; from 2020 to 2021 a 3% increase in players was seen in both of the virtual racing series we organized. We now understand how gaming has become a useful way to speak to this market, quipped Tuason Racing Vice President for Business Development Jeanette Tuason. She added, "We also saw why racing is different from other forms of eSports, it requires a different skills; skills that can be translated into live racing later on.”
The couple also sees how hybrid racing events will become the trend for wheel to wheel racing. Last years’ successful activation of the on ground races will be the foundation as they welcome race fans back in the track without alienating their online fans. “On track racing brings is a sensory experience, it appeals to all your five senses. Racing is still the best proving ground for performance. Brands associated to racing want to sow that they are part of this performance story. Specially now that the market no longer just get stuff from the shelf, they want to know what the brand stands up for. We believe that racing is a sport that Filipinos are innately good at and our programs just makes the entry easier for a successful global career. Growing Philippine motorsports is an investment for the future," says the Tuason couple.
