Race Report - PCCA - Rounds 11 & 12 - Shanghai GP

Asia's Premire racing series, the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia headed to the Shanghai International Circuit for the season finale of the 2011 season. With four incidents during the year causing DNF's, Tan was focused on getting some points back on the board and staying ahead of some of his rivals in the championship.

The GP weekend saw a sizeable crowd attend the PCCA round, creating a great atmosphere for drivers and fans alike.

The Singaporean steerer began Friday morning with first practice in good rhythm. From the get go, Tan put in some sizzling lap times as he came right out of the box to stake his claim on a top 10 position, recording a 10th overall fastest time carrying his Singapore pace over to the Chinese circuit.

"It was fantastic to be back in Shanghai," said a jubilant Tan as he looked back at the weekend. "The Shanghai Circuit was the first circuit that I drove the GT3 Cup Car in 2008 so we have been here to compete quite a few times. Doesn't hurt us that we have some good data on the circuit."

The second practice session on Friday afternoon saw more of the same thing as Tan recorded a 12th fastest overall time and cemented that the pace he had found in Singapore and Shanghai was no fluke.

"I think I've found a new level in driving the GT3 Cup Car," continued Tan. "We are still getting more competitive in my 3rd season in the PCCA Championship and being 29, I know the best days are still ahead of me which makes me feel enthusiastic about further improving myself."

Qualifying was up next on Saturday morning, with a target in mind.

"We knew qualifying was going to be really tough," said Tan. "The Chinese circuit is well known for a lot of the drivers that have been there more than us. With the midpack so close to one another, anywhere between 8th and 12th on the grid would have satisfied us."

The qualifying session saw Tan go out with Ringo Chong and Philip Ma as the Singaporean driver wanted some similar paced drivers on the circuit.

On Yuey's first flying lap, the Singaporean race ace had the best first and second sector of his weekend, only to take a spin at the end of the hairpin, unfortunately damaging Philip Ma's flying lap. Though Tan recovered quickly, and tucked himself behind the Hong Kong racer to put in a time of 1.52.9, placing Tan 9th on the grid for race 1 and in front of Singapore's legendary Ringo Chong.

Race 1 on Saturday afternoon saw the Singaporean driver off to arguably his best start of the 2011 season, as he rocketed off the line and entered T1 in 7th place overall. Though through the first lap, he lost one place to in form Jeffrey Lee of Taiwan.

Over the next six laps, Tan was running in 8th overall and 3rd in category, with experienced Singapore driver Ringo Chong giving the less experienced Tan a run for his money and pushing hard to unsettle Tan.

On lap 7 of the 13 lap race, Tan lost control just before the longest straight on the Shanghai Circuit. Places were lost due to the spin putting Tan down into 12th overall and 7th in category.

"Ringo showed today why he is who he is. It is true that we are thrilled to be competing with Singapore's quickest man and to be in front of him is something I never dreamed would happen over a three year period," said Tan. "Although his experienced showed today and he was really piling the pressure on us!"

There were however many positives to take from the situation.

"I'm looking forward to many more battles with Ringo Chong and I can't wait till the 2012 season. My objective will be to be in front of Ringo a little more often next year and perhaps cement my place alongside or in front of Singapore's yardstick."Race 2 took place on Sunday afternoon in front of a massive crowd in the pit straight grandstand with Tan starting 12th on the grid after Saturday's mistake.The lights went out and PCCA compatriot, Paul Tressider took a lightning start to get up the field with both Tan and Tressider going into T1 side by side with Tan eventually getting the better of the Aussie driver on the entry of T2."Paul had the start of a lifetime! Think old mate was a few rows behind on the qualifying grid but there he was right beside me into T1. Great start, and we gave each other enough room to survive the corner. Was a piece of great driving from Paul."Philip Ma was up ahead though as Ma came gunning out of the hairpin, he spun forcing Singapore's Tan to almost come to a full stop to avoid the Hong Kong racer.After passing Ma, Yuey Tan had Wayne Shen in his sights as he started to inch closer and closer to the GT racing veteran. Though on lap 4, Fracis Tjia appeared as he dropped places due to a spin that forced his Porsche race car to pick a large piece of astroturfTan was directly behind Francis Tjia at this stage with the astroturf flapping furiously down Formula 1's fastest straight in the world. It finally came loose, and it was back to business as usual for Tjia and Tan.Lap 10 saw the safety car come out due to an incident that involved Taiwan's Jeffrey Lee hitting a back marker as he was making his way up the field."It was very difficult when the safety car came out as my tyres were great! I knew with the temp dropping I'd have some problems to maintain the heat which was a pity as we started on extremely low pressures."As the safety car came in two laps later, Wayne Shen lost power for a split second to let Francis Tjia pass at the safety car restart. The two continued to battle it out, giving Tan time to stay patient and hope that one of them made a mistake. This did not happen unfortunately as Yuey finished the race 5th in category."Was a really great end to the season," said Tan. "We had a pretty hard season this year so to come out with our second best points haul of any GP weekend in 2011, was good for us. Also want to congratulate my two good mates, Sawa and Rodolfo for battling out a great championship for the title today. Both are worthy championships though only one guy can be crowned and Sawa deserves it!"