Race Review – Porsche Carrera Cup Asia – Singapore GP

Rounds 7 & 8 of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia took place at the unbelievably awesome Singapore F1 GP Weekend.

Taking place downtown at the Marina Bay Circuit, the track goes past some of the most iconic Singapore structures and buildings, built in the modern day world. Significant locations include the old Supreme Courts, Anderson Bridge, Sg Flyer, Fullerton Hotel, The Helix Bridge, Marina Bay Sands and Suntec City.

The weekend unfolded fantastically at first. Coming into 1st practice, I was confident that I had done my homework on the circuit and was thinking clearly about what needed to be done. The heavens opened up, and the team mounted the car with wet weather tyres. We went out and pushed with the grip we had out there. I spent the whole session in a nice rhythm with Mok Weng Sun in front of me, and Philip Ma behind. They were great to drive with as they had a good temp and experience in the wet. As the session progressed, we managed to finish a respectable 11th on the grid. In only our second season of racing at the Premireship of Asian Motorsport, this was a result that we were happy with.

Saturday came and now, this is where it really counted. Qualifying was set in the mid afternoon, and once again, it rained on the streets of Singapore. The wets were bolted onto the car and I was confident from Friday practice, that the rain was the better weather for us. Things seem more even, and some of the great drivers in the dry, seemed a little more fragile in the wet. I went out for the session and on the first flying lap, posted a 2:46:163 and was 2nd fastest on the first lap. Over the first ten minutes of the session, we were 5th fastest, only behind Menzel, Baird, O’Young and Lee. Though on our second flying lap, I braked a little too late and lost control of the car into the concrete barriers. The car was a little banged up, and there was not enough time to repair the car for the race. By the end of the session, the one lap of qualifying that was registered put us 11th on the grid.

Typically, there are several hours between sessions, though we only had an hour at the Singapore GP. As a result, we did not start race 1 and registered a DNS (Did Not Start) This blunder has cost me dearly in the championship though we will try our best to fight back in Shanghai and Zhuhai. This was a disappointing moment not to start. Race 2 was on Sunday afternoon. After signing a document with the FIA to get my car back on the grid after repairs, we lined up 23rd and dead last on the grid. Michael Choi, the exciting Hong Kong driver also lined up beside me in the 22nd grid slot after a mishap with Philip Braindet. The plan was simple. Overtake as many cars as I can.

The lights went green and it was GO. The only avenue past the cars were on the outside of the circuit, along the paint. I managed to get past a few cars into the first corner, and saw a car spin in turn 4. It was Mak Hing Tak. As things settled down, we were in 15th place, 8 positions up from where we started at. This was a positive thing for the team. We finished the race in 14th place, after a great run from John Shen and Marcel Tjia. Tjia drove extremely well and it was a good race for us. From the points tally, the Singapore GP was the lowest finish we have achieved in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia this year. And to the home crowd, it is a pity that we could not show what we are truly capable of. Though there are positives from the weekend, and there are still 4 races to go in the PCCA 2010.