The Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia launched an endurance race stint to the race weekend format during the 2011 season. Here, one of the three races during the race weekend is added to the format with a race taking between 45-60 minutes.
The introduction of the endurance stint is something that Singaporean race driver, Yuey Tan has been happy about. Never driving stints quite as long as these races during Tan's short sprint race career, this has allowed him to get more conditioned to the car over a longer period of time, making sprint racing that little bit easier.
"For sure it's helped me stay more focused in 20-30 minute races. Although they call the longer race an endurance stint, the drivers are pretty much pushing 100% until fitness starts to play a part in performance. This is why the longer races have been good for us. So that the shorter races feel that little bit shorter, as a result making it easier for me to keep my mind on the job."
The endurance stint was added to the Aussie Porsche GT3 Cup Series, after a vote was held amongst the drivers during the 2010 season. It was a surprisingly popular choice for the drivers.
"Staying in the cup car and driving for close to an hour solid was a tall order at first," reflects Tan. "Although it's great that we have this opportunity in 2011. I'm certain that it will help me stay more focused for the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia rounds as well which is where we'd like to do well. The fact that we scored two DNF's in Shanghai further underlines our desire to do well."
Yuey Tan's next race will be at the Zhuhai International Circuit on May 27-29 for round 2 of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia.