At the media press conference during Day 1 of Round 2 of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippine Cup, I asked Toyota Motor Philippines President Masando Hashimoto what it was like to race on a street circuit just like the one at Villar City, South of Manila and how it was different to racing in a circuit like the Clark International Speedway.
Hashimoto said that the racing was more exciting, closer, and frantic, but at the same time unpredictable given the innate nature of a street circuit. With barely any runoff areas and make shift chicanes made of tires at some areas, it required him (and his fellow drivers) to readjust their driving, sometimes on a lap-to-lap basis. True enough, scuff marks on his #4 Vios OMR (One Make Racer) on Day 1 was a testament on the sort-of wheel-to-wheel action drivers and spectators saw.
However, he said that he was encouraged and pushed on by the roar of the crowds who attended the Villar City race (over 10,000 went over the span of three days). It was so loud, Hashimoto said, that he could hear the people as he zoomed by the grandstands.
On Day 2, those scruff marks turned into one gnarly rollover as Hashimoto’s Vios flipped upside down. In his very own social media post, he recounts:
I crashed during the 10th lap of Race 5. At the 3rd chicane exit, I misjudged my speed and handling, lost control, and collided with the central wall. My car flipped upside down and became immobilized. While the engine and tires sustained significant damage from the impact, the cabin remained intact and completely clear, allowing me to escape without even a scratch.I lost my beloved Vios #4, but she saved my life. We racers experience crashes all the time, many times, which is part of racing, but I have seen first-hand the wonderful fact that Toyota cars are safe, robust, and keep the drivers protected.
Despite the intense crash which could have injured (or worse) Toyota Motor Philippines’ highest-ranking executive, the Vios’ design along with the modifications done to it such as FIA compliant roll cage, racing harness, and racing bucket seats, meant Hashimoto simply walked away from the crash without a scratch.
Of course, he was still brought to the nearest medical facility for preliminary checks accompanied by his wife and son, to which he says:
The swift actions of the doctor and medical staff enabled me to pass the X-ray examination at the hospital without any issues. The diagnosis revealed no problems with my brain, muscles, or bones. I was able to return to the award ceremony venue and celebrate the victory with my Novice teammates.Damn. After what he went through, Hashimoto could have taken the rest of the Sunday off like the rest of us, but he still decided to go back and finish the job. We salute you sir, and we look forward to you racing once more at the last leg of the 2025 Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippine Cup.
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