Tan makes comeback in Singapore!
Singaporean racing driver, Yuey Tan took to the streets of Singapore on the Marina Bay Circuit over the weekend, for his 12th shot at the challenging twenty-three turn street circuit. Racing in the GT3 category in a Porsche 911 GT3 R with Asia’s largest International race series, THE SUPER SERIES.
Prior to the Grand Prix, Tan focused on a programme to get him back up to speed including fitness work and test sessions at the Sepang International Circuit, in the Porsche 911 GT3 R. Though racing is very different from doing laps on an empty circuit!
Friday Practice saw the Singaporean off to an excellent start, keeping the car on the tarmac and working up to some fast lap times, finishing 7th quickest in the field only being beaten toward the end of the session after spending much of the session in the top 3.
Qualifying saw something completely different, Tan managed to go 4th quickest and start on the second row of the grid! He spent much of the first ten minutes of qualifying lingering down in 8th, though managed to put two good laps together after a red flag, caused by Hong Kong’s Francis Tjia afer a strange incident that saw the experienced driver in the wall. Tan managed a time considerably ahead of his closest rival feeling confident for the first of two races where he qualified.
“We were feeling fantastic in the qualifying session,” commented Tan. “We were not at the full limit so it was nice to know we had good pace and weren’t pushing to the maximum. That gave us confidence for the race!”
Race 1 saw challenging weather conditions, heavy rain coming two hours before the race and lasting till 30 minutes prior to the green lights. A potential strategic opportunity opened up if the circuit was to dry during the race. As a result, the #5 SLK Racing car of Tan opted to go for slick tyres on a wet circuit, with the start finish straight almost totally dry by that time. This proved to be the worst decision that could’ve been made.
The rest of the circuit was wet, little did the team now without screens to see the whole circuit. The other consideration was that race 2 on Sunday, started on the fastest laps of race 1. So going to slicks could possibly give Tan a big advantage of the end at race 1, when the circuit would be fastest. Unfortunately, the circuit never dried up! The SLK Racing car finished 14th.
“That was the wrong call for sure! We were brave. We were the first ones to make the call to go on slicks! It was the wrong one as the rest is history!!” said Tan.
Race 2 was a new day starting in 7th place on the grid. An unsatisfactory position to be in for the team but given the circumstances, possible to recover the weekend. Tan had a fantastic start, keeping position while the cars all bunched up into the first three turns, though the race then settled in. Tan was then stuck behind an Audi R8 GT3 that was clearly slower than him, though not enough to overtake. For several laps, the Porsche of Tan continued to challenge the Audi R8. While the Audi was taking massive curbs and sliding about, Tan kept his Porsche in good trip and on lap 7, made a pass on the Audi in turn 7 onto Nicoll Highway.
From there, Tan continued the charge with Taiwanese Jeffrey Lee next in his sights. Although he got close on several occasions and tried twice, Lee’s Mercedes AMG GT firmly shut the door on Tan’s Porsche and rightfully so if given the chance.
Both Tan and Lee continued their relentless battle right up until the last lap of the race without success. Though Lee was later handed a penalty for making contact with another car, earlier in the race. Tan was upgraded to 5th overall and 3rd in category, with a podium finish and a trophy from the 2022 Singapore Grand Prix.
“It’s been a great day on the circuit. Was cool to get back on circuit and to go racing for the first time in three years at Marina Bay, was something very cool! We got a great result in the end today and want to thank all of the support in the team and with the fans during the weekend! It’s just been amazing!!”
“And to all of the sponsors and partners that made this possible. We have forged some new friends, gone on a new experience with old friends to, and now a solid team forever regardless if we ever work together again. Everyone pushed to the limit and we had a great weekend! So thanks. SLK. K-Supper. Brewlander. Fearnley LNG. Leica. Everybody. Thanks!”
