The CIFOS 4-Wheel Festival delivered a weekend of speed, spectacle, and relentless competition, but it also put drivers through one of the toughest tests of the season as soaring temperatures blanketed the circuit. Amid the sweltering conditions and a stacked grid filled with highly developed race cars, Paulo Medina emerged as one of the event’s standout performers, steering his Toyota GR Supra to a hard-fought P2 finish in Group 1 of the Bracket and Grid Racing Championship (BGRC).
For Medina, the result was far from guaranteed. Entering only his second BGRC appearance after a fourth-place finish in his debut outing, the challenge ahead was daunting. The Group 1 field was packed with experienced competitors, each armed with finely tuned machinery and championship-caliber pace. Qualifying only added to the pressure as Medina found himself at the bottom of the timesheets in class, securing P4 and facing an uphill battle once the lights went out.
Yet motorsport has always been about more than what happens in qualifying. As race day arrived and drivers lined up on the grid, the familiar sounds of engines roaring echoed around the track. While competitors blipped throttles and prepared for battle, Medina focused inward, relying on faith and composure before one of the biggest races of his season.
When the race finally started, everything changed. Launching aggressively off the line, Medina immediately gained ground and found himself in contention before the field completed the opening corners. By Turn 1, he had already climbed into second place and suddenly transitioned from underdog to hunted.
What followed was seven laps of unrelenting pressure. With faster cars lurking behind and no room for mistakes, Medina spent the race balancing aggression and control. Every braking zone, every apex, and every exit became critical as he defended his position against determined challengers. The scorching heat added another layer of difficulty, placing additional demands on drivers, tires, and machinery throughout the race.
The defining moment came midway through the contest when Medina narrowly avoided disaster on the circuit’s final corner. Pushing to maintain his pace, the GR Supra edged dangerously close to the wall, threatening to undo all the progress made since the start.
Instead, he gathered the car, recovered his rhythm, and continued forward. From there, Medina delivered what could only be described as a mature and disciplined drive. Refusing to panic, he settled back into a consistent pace and continued his defensive effort until the checkered flag finally waved.
Only then did the magnitude of the moment sink in.
“This was only my second BGRC race, the pressure was really there because of the quality of drivers and cars in the field. During qualifying I was the slowest in class, so I knew I had a lot of work to do. Before the start, while everyone was revving their engines, I was praying. Once the race began, I gave everything I had and managed to move into P2 by the first turn. From there it was all about focus and defending the position. On lap five I nearly hit the wall at the final corner, but I was able to save the car, reset my rhythm, and keep pushing. Honestly, I was so focused on the battle that I didn’t even realize the race was ending until I saw the checkered flag. That’s when I could finally breathe. Praise God, we secured P2, and I’m grateful to everyone who helped make this possible,” said Medina.
The podium result was a reflection not only of Medina’s determination behind the wheel, but also of the collective effort of the team and partners who supported the campaign from preparation to race day.
Leading the charge was Motul Luzon through Infiniteserv International Corporation, whose high-performance racing lubricants helped ensure the GR Supra performed reliably under the punishing heat of the weekend. The car’s striking presentation came courtesy of HG Autoworks, while the technical backbone of the program was strengthened by HG Motorsports, whose telemetry analysis and race coaching support from Allen Escoto, Jamil Lacuna, Elljay Mutuc, Gav Quintos, and Russel Reyes played a critical role in maximizing the driver’s performance.
The Supra also benefited from the protection of Atom Tech, whose paint protection film shielded the vehicle from debris and stone chips throughout the event. SATA Philippines supplied the tools and equipment used during race preparation and race weekend operations, ensuring the team remained fully equipped in the paddock.
On the performance side, GT Radial Philippines delivered the grip needed to compete in the demanding conditions, while Bendix Philippines provided the stopping power necessary for wheel-to-wheel competition. Supporting Medina’s professional race program were Imprint Customs for his racing suit, Race Wraps for the GR Supra’s eye-catching livery, Sim Racing PH for additional virtual training and seat time, After Six for race preparation support, and SEAOIL for keeping the team fueled throughout the campaign.
As the CIFOS 4-Wheel Festival concluded, Medina’s charge from last in class during qualifying to a podium finish in one of the weekend’s most competitive BGRC categories served as one of the event’s most compelling stories. In a race defined by intense heat, fierce competition, and relentless pressure, the GR Supra driver proved that determination, preparation, and unwavering belief can turn adversity into a trophy-winning performance.