Yuey Tan: I’ve been waiting a long time for Macau!
Singaporean racing driver, Yuey Tan will be competing in his first ever Macau GP this coming weekend on the legendary Guia Street Circuit with the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia.
“Ever since I began driving back in 2008, this was always one event that I have seen as a spectator, first visiting the Macau Grand Prix in 2007. From that time, it has always been a wish to drive a GP in Macau, but only when I had gained more experience on the circuit. It is a treacherous circuit and knowing what you are doing counts for a lot.”
The Macau Grand Prix was originally conceived as a treasure hunt in 1954, quickly becoming a motor race soon after. It was only in 1966 where the circuit saw its first International flavour, with Mario Bianchi. His victory pumped fame into the event, beginning an era of top racing drivers from around the world trying their luck in what is arguably one of the most challenging circuits in the world.
“It is a great privilege to be racing this weekend at the famous Guia Circuit,” continued Tan. “As we know, the Macau GP is rich in history with some of the greats having driven here before in Formula including Schumacher, Hakkinen and Vettel.”
The Porsche Carrera Cup Asia last ran at the Macau GP in 2007 and after a six year break, is back on one of the worlds most famous circuit this coming weekend. Many drivers from the Carrera Cup series have raced the Macau GP on multiple occasions, citing experience as the best way to go quickly through the narrow roads on the mountain of the Guia circuit. “I’ve spoken to some of the guys that have driven here before and the consensus is that you have to be careful around the streets of Macau and experience counts! Some of the guys have been here heaps of times. I think this is Samson’s 17th Macau GP! That’s a load of experience right there.”
The 6.120km will prove a challenging circuit for the drivers, with many different types of tarmac throughout the circuit, a feature created by the circuit normally functioning as normal roads for the people of Macau.
The plan is simple for us this weekend. Just be careful and bring the car home safe. This is my first time here and the objective is to learn the circuit and spend as many laps out there as possible. Let’s hope there aren’t too many incidents to bring out the red flags but in Macau, this is highly possible.”
In addition to the big event ahead, nine-time WRC Champion, Sebastian Loeb will also be competing in the number 3 car of Team Porsche Carrera Cup, another sign that Asian Motorsport is on the up and up. He joins other big names racing in Asia during the 2013 season including two-time Formula One Champion, Mika Hakkinen.
“2013 has been great as the PCCA has attracted some of the big names in worldwide motorsport. This has been very good for Asian motorsport as without the best in the world being around the region, Asian drivers will not be able to improve.” Weather will also a major factor at the Macau GP, rain being a variable that the drivers could do without. Though news of the Super typhoon Haiyan over the Phillippines will almost certainly bring rain, forecasted for Sunday morning during the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia feature race.
The Macau GP will also feature GT Racing, Formula 3, WTCC, Audi R8 LMS Cup, Lamborghini Super Trofeo, Hong Kong touring cars and Superbikes. Watch Yuey Tan at the Macau GP as he takes to the Guia Street circuit on Nov 9 & 10. Follow his progress on www.facebook.com/yuey.tan.racing/
