A lap of Sepang with Yuey Tan - PCCA Rounds 7 & 8

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhOLlEbM4_k&feature=channel_video_title

Returning to the home of the Malaysian GP was something that I had looked forward to all season. The circuit is somewhere that we are more comfortable than some other China circuits, so it was good to be back at Sepang. The 15 turn circuit is wide, forgiving and can make for some great racing as well.

The first two practice sessions of the race weekend didn't go quite as expected. Due to the PCCA race weekend only being able to mark 3 sets, practice saw us use tyros from Ordos that were in less than good condition. This made it difficult to achieve our maximum on the day and finished the sessions 15th and 16th respectively. The second practice also saw a small problem on the car, allowing the steering wheel and alignment a little more movement than I was used to. We continued throughout the session with the problem as there was not much time, not being able to achieve the maximum of the day once more.

Saturday qualifying was scheduled at lunch time, and it was time to bolt on the new rubber after a pretty decent morning practice. After talking to Lethal Leigh Geyer, there were several places that I could still improve on so we focused on these few things. 

Qualifying was held on Saturday lunchtime, and there was all to play for. I knew what was the target and went out and gave it my best shot. I managed to set my fastest lap on the second flying lap, and put the car 12th on the grid, just behind fellow Singaporean driver, Ringo Chong.

Race 1 saw a start that didn't quite set the world alight, losing some spots off into turn 1. I was in between cars coming into turn 1, losing out due to the car positioning and there was little that could be done at the time. I pushed on to recover some places and ended up finishing just where I started, at 12th overall.

Race 2 was a different story as things turned for the worse as I had to make a big fight back. Unfortunately the car got out of shape on two occasions and to recover onto the circuit, I had to wait for the cars to come past and work my way up the grid again. Running as high as 13th overall at one point, another costly error cost more positions as the pack behind was also very close. A race to forget, finishing 19th overall. Still managed to get a few points out of it which could be invaluable come end of season.

Currently after a less than good season, things are still not completely gone in the championship standings. I currently sit 8th in class for the championship, and 13th overall. WIth John Shen and Jeffrey Lee above me, these two guys will be my target to catch up with before the end of the 2011 season.