Rookie Racing Garage Manila is opening on December 16. The first Rookie Racing Garage outside of Japan, Rookie Racing Garage Manila is being envisioned to become a hub that celebrates the love for cars, regardless of brand.
Before it opens its doors, here are some things you need to know.
What is Rookie Racing?
Rookie Racing, or ROOKIE Racing if you prefer the official style guide, is a motorsports and car culture brand founded by Morizo. If this name’s familiar, it should be—it’s the racing alias of Toyota Motor Corporation chairman, Akio Toyoda.
Rookie Racing, or ROOKIE Racing if you prefer the official style guide, is a motorsports and car culture brand founded by Morizo. If this name’s familiar, it should be—it’s the racing alias of Toyota Motor Corporation chairman, Akio Toyoda.
Rookie Racing competes in major Japanese motorsports championships including Super GT, Super Formula, and Super Taikyu. Historically, it functions as a “rolling laboratory” where Morizo and his engineers test, challenge, and improve vehicles under race conditions.
The name is inspired by Toyoda’s pet dog, a Rhodesian Ridgeback named, “Rookie.”
The original Rookie Racing Garage is the motorsports hub and garage space located at the Fuji Motorsports Forest near the Fuji International Speedway in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. Here visitors can view active race cars being serviced and maintained up close—something that’s typically hidden from public view.
What is the difference between Gazoo Racing and Rookie Racing?
Gazoo Racing is the brand of performance cars currently sold under the Toyota brand. Although it’ll be spun off entirely as its own brand, for now, it delivers road cars which capture the excitement cultivated through motorsports such as the GR 86, GR Yaris, GR Corolla, GR Supra, and the GR GT.
On the other hand, Rookie Racing is the racing team brand of Akio Toyoda. It’s a group of automotive professionals responsible for the development of vehicles and people through motorsports.
How did Rookie Racing Garage Manila Come Around?
In March 2025, Toyota Motor Philippines personnel attended the opening of GR Garage in Taiwan with the intention of opening their very own flagship Gazoo Racing brand hub. During the course of direct discussions with Morizo himself, it was mutually agreed to pivot their efforts instead to develop the first Rookie Racing Garage outside of Japan to attract a broader audience.
In March 2025, Toyota Motor Philippines personnel attended the opening of GR Garage in Taiwan with the intention of opening their very own flagship Gazoo Racing brand hub. During the course of direct discussions with Morizo himself, it was mutually agreed to pivot their efforts instead to develop the first Rookie Racing Garage outside of Japan to attract a broader audience.
In January 2026, the official groundbreaking was held and construction started a month after. By December 16, 2026, it will officially open its doors to the public.
What’s the objective of Rookie Racing Garage Manila?
Since there’s no one place where car fans can share their passions and talk about car culture and motorsports, the main objective of Rookie Racing Garage Manila is to become a hub for car lovers. It is part Car Club hub, part Karting Academy, part dealership, and yes, part Tuning Shop.
Since there’s no one place where car fans can share their passions and talk about car culture and motorsports, the main objective of Rookie Racing Garage Manila is to become a hub for car lovers. It is part Car Club hub, part Karting Academy, part dealership, and yes, part Tuning Shop.
Not a fan of Toyota or Lexus? Not to worry. Rookie Racing may be associated with Toyota, but it’s run independently. Therefore, it’s actually a multi-brand shop. In particular, they’re looking to welcome sportscar owners whether it’s a Mazda MX-5 (yes, it was explicitly mentioned during the press conference), Subarus, or even European ones.
If all this is starting to read like A-Pit Super Autobacs in Shionome, Japan, you’re kinda there.
Where and what can we see in Rookie Racing Garage Manila?
Rookie Racing Garage Manila is located along Macapagal Avenue in Pasay City beside Blue Bay Walk.
Rookie Racing Garage Manila is located along Macapagal Avenue in Pasay City beside Blue Bay Walk.
The facility itself spans a total of 1,750 square meters. The ground floor, spanning 1,200 square meters, will house Rookie Racing Garage Manila’s “core functions.” These include an in-door Tamiya track, the Rookie Racing Zone where a rotating roster of race cars and race gear will be on display, the Parts & Merchandise / Showroom section where over 40 aftermarket performance brands will be offered, the Service Center which will have an air conditioned six-car service bay (and one dyno), and the Café which will serve items such as the Morizo Tea and Morizo Curry. Love coffee? Rejoice as your caffeine addiction will be satisfied by Key Coffee.
The second floor meanwhile will feature the Morizo Lounge—an immersive brand wall that will trace Rookie Racing’s history and its aim of helping make ever-better cars starting from master driver and Morizo’s teacher, Hiromu Naruse.
Who’s responsible for Rookie Racing Garage Manila?
As a brand, Rookie Racing operates directly under the supervision of Akio Toyoda and outside of the purview of Toyota Motor Corporation.
As a brand, Rookie Racing operates directly under the supervision of Akio Toyoda and outside of the purview of Toyota Motor Corporation.
In the Philippines, Rookie Racing Garage Manila is a partnership between Toyota Motor Philippines, Toyota Manila Bay, and Autoplus Sports. Toyota Motor Philippines will oversee the operations as well as brand and marketing efforts, while Toyota Manila Bay will be responsible for new vehicle sales prospecting and merchandise sales. Autoplus Sports will be the one handling performance parts sales and services associated with these performance parts such as installation.
Who are the people in Rookie Racing Garage Manila?
Leading Rookie Racing Garage Manila is Poch Molina who’s the General Manager. Carlo Ablaza will serve as an advisor. Below Molina is Mike Santos who will handle Showroom & Marketing, Charlie Osia for Parts & Tuning, Darius Tagubase for Admin, and Chico Belandres for Finance.
Leading Rookie Racing Garage Manila is Poch Molina who’s the General Manager. Carlo Ablaza will serve as an advisor. Below Molina is Mike Santos who will handle Showroom & Marketing, Charlie Osia for Parts & Tuning, Darius Tagubase for Admin, and Chico Belandres for Finance.
Two marketing professionals from Toyota Manila Bay will be assigned to Rookie Racing Garage Manila and seven mechanics from Autoplus Sports will man the service area.
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