Weiron Tan (Chinese: 陈韦龙; pinyin: Chén Wéilóng; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Tîn Ûi-lêng, born 3 December 1994) is a Malaysian racing driver who last competed in the GT World Challenge Asia for Audi Sport Team Absolute.[1] He previously competed in the FIA World Endurance Championship for Jackie Chan DC Racing, where he, along with Jazeman Jaafar and Nabil Jeffri, became the first and only driver from Malaysia to win an FIA-sanctioned race at the international level.
| Weiron Tan | |
|---|---|
 Tan at the 2018 6 Hours of Silverstone | |
| Nationality |  Malaysian |
| Born | 3 December 1994 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| FIA World Endurance Championship - LMP2 career | |
| Debut season | 2018 |
| Current team | Jackie Chan DC Racing |
| Racing licence |  FIA Silver |
| Car number | 37 |
| Starts | 5 |
| Wins | 1 |
| Poles | 1 |
| Best finish | 4th in 2018-19 |
Career
editKarting
editTan was first introduced to go-karts at the age of 13, and by the age of 15 he was the first Malaysian champion in the PLUS Yamaha SL Cup Championship and the same year saw him emerge as vice champion in the Asian Karting Open Championship.[2] In 2011, Tan made his racing debut in Europe, competing in the WSK Series under the Works Kosmic Racing Kart Team.[3] Tan was also the only Malaysian among 6 other young international drivers chosen in the AirAsia Team Lotus Driver Development Program in 2011, later known as the Caterham F1 Academy.[4][5][6]
Lotus GT4 Supercup Asia
editIn 2011, Tan took part in the Lotus GT4 Supercup Asia Series as the youngest contender. He went on to win the championship, taking the most wins, podium finishes and pole positions.
JK Racing Asia Series
editIn 2012, Tan competed part-time in the single-seater championship JK Racing Asia Series.[7]
Formula Gulf 1000
editLater in 2012, Tan took part in selected rounds of Formula Gulf 1000 as well, the series in which he scored his first Formula race victory in Abu Dhabi. He followed that up with a double race win at the next meet and a fourth win at the season finale in Dubai, taking four victories from a possible six.[8][9][10]
Formula Renault 2.0
editIn April 2013, Tan embarked in the UK-based Protyre Formula Renault 2.0 Championship with Fortec Motorsport. He made a huge impact, scoring five race wins and nine podium finishes to secure runner-up in the championship.[11][12][13][14]
German Formula 3
edit2014 saw Weiron move up to the ATS Formel 3 Cup with Van Amersfoort Racing. The start of the season proved challenging as he acclimatised to the new series and car, but he rounded out the year with a string of strong results, including five podium finishes and two race wins towards the end of the season finishing fifth overall.
Pro Mazda Championship
editAhead of the 2015 season, Tan made the move to the United States to compete in the Pro Mazda Championship with Andretti Autosport, a series which forms a major step in the Road to Indy programme.[15] Ahead of the start of the season, he competed in the five-race Winterfest, a key learning opportunity for him to compete in the cars. He immediately impressed, scoring two dominant race wins and three second places on his way to taking vice-champion honours. In the main series he had a successful rookie year, finishing fourth in the overall standings, scoring four victories and six podium finishes along the way.[16][17][18][19] Weiron became the first ever Malaysian in history to win in the United States and on an oval race. He continues with the series in 2016, joining championship winning outfit Team Pelfrey, but only competed in the first two rounds.[20]
China GT Championship
editIn 2017, Tan made a full-time switch to sportscar racing, debuting in the China GT Championship with Absolute Racing competing in a Bentley GT3.[21][22]
FIA World Endurance Championship
edit2018 saw Tan compete in the final two rounds of the 2017-18 Asian Le Mans Series with Jackie Chan DC Racing. With backing from Sepang International Circuit, Tan competed alongside fellow Malaysians Jazeman Jaafar and Afiq Ikhwan.[23] The trio successfully won on their debut at Round 3 at Buriram in the LMP2 category. The result later sparked interest in the team to enter the drivers in the 2018-19 FIA World Endurance Championship.[24][25][26] Tan and his teammates Jazeman Jaafar and Nabil Jeffri made a very impressive debut season finishing fourth overall having only competed five of the eight rounds in the season due to the unfortunate event of Sepang International Circuit pulling out from the championship. The trio finished fourth in class at their 24 Hours of Le Mans debut,[27] later on a second-place finish at Silverstone before securing their first victory at Fuji making history as the first ever all-Asian lineup to win on the world championship.[28][29][30][31]
Blancpain GT World Challenge Asia
editAfter a successful 2018 season, Weiron was picked up by Audi Sport Asia as an official driver to compete in the GT World Challenge Asia Series with Audi Sport Asia Team Absolute.[32][33][34] Alongside teammate Martin Rump, they racked up four podium finishes and two wins during the season, finishing sixth overall.[35][36][37][38][39]
Racing record
editCareer summary
edit| Season | Series | Team | Races | Wins | Poles | F/Laps | Podiums | Points | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Lotus GT4 Supercup Asia | 8 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 7 | ? | 1st | |
| JK Racing Asia Series | EuroInternational | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NC† | |
| 2012 | JK Racing Asia Series | EuroInternational | 10 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 67 | 7th |
| 2012-13 | Formula Gulf 1000 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | ? | ? | |
| 2013 | Protyre Formula Renault Championship | Fortec Motorsports | 16 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 331 | 2nd |
| 2014 | German Formula 3 Championship | Van Amersfoort Racing | 29 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 182 | 5th |
| 2015 | Pro Mazda Championship | Andretti Autosport | 16 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 282 | 4th |
| Pro Mazda Winterfest | 5 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 166 | 2nd | ||
| 2016 | Asian Le Mans Sprint Cup - LMP3 | Team Aylezo | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 33 | 7th |
| FIA Formula 3 European Championship | Carlin | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25th | |
| Pro Mazda Championship | Team Pelfrey | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 69 | 11th | |
| 2016-17 | Asian Le Mans Series - LMP3 | Aylezo Ecotint Racing | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 10th |
| 2017 | China GT Championship - GT3 | Bentley Team Absolute | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 50 | 9th |
| Blancpain GT Series Asia - GT3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NC† | ||
| 2017-18 | Asian Le Mans Series - LMP2 | Jackie Chan DC Racing X Jota | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 35 | 5th |
| 2018 | 24 Hours of Le Mans - LMP2 | Jackie Chan DC Racing | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | 4th |
| 2018-19 | FIA World Endurance Championship - LMP2 | Jackie Chan DC Racing | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 98 | 4th |
| Asian Le Mans Series - LMP2 | Jackie Chan DC Racing X Jota Sport | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NC | |
| 2019 | Blancpain GT World Challenge Asia | Audi Sport Asia Team Absolute Racing | 12 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 115 | 7th |
| FIA Motorsport Games GT Cup | Team Malaysia | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | 11th | |
| 2021 | Michelin Pilot Challenge - GS | Automatic Racing AMR | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 110 | 63rd |
| 2024 | FIA Motorsport Games GT Cup | Team Malaysia |
† As Tan was a guest driver, he was ineligible to score points.
Complete German Formula Three Championship results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Van Amersfoort Racing | OSC 1 9 |
OSC 2 6 |
OSC 2 5 |
LAU1 1 6 |
LAU1 2 6 |
LAU1 3 7 |
RBR 1 10 |
RBR 2 4 |
RBR 3 4 |
HOC1 1 4 |
HOC1 2 4 |
HOC1 3 8 |
NÜR 1 4 |
NÜR 2 8 |
NÜR 3 6 |
LAU2 1 Ret |
LAU2 2 C |
LAU2 3 Ret |
SAC 1 3 |
SAC 2 2 |
SAC 3 3 |
HOC2 1 1 |
HOC2 2 Ret |
HOC2 3 1 |
5th | 182 |
Pro Mazda Championship
edit| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | Rank | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Andretti Autosport | STP 16 |
STP 15 |
LOU 2 |
LOU C |
BAR 1 |
BAR 14 |
IMS 1 |
IMS 4 |
IMS 21 |
LOR 1 |
TOR 13 |
TOR 2 |
IOW 1 |
MOH 6 |
MOH 7 |
LAG 5 |
LAG 9 |
4th | 282 |
| 2016 | Team Pelfrey | STP 5 |
STP 3 |
ALA 4 |
ALA 10 |
IMS | IMS | LOR | ROA | ROA | TOR | TOR | MOH | MOH | LAG | LAG | LAG | 11th | 69 |
NOTE: The first Indianapolis Motor Speedway race was scored as the second NOLA Motorsports Park race because of weather.
Complete FIA World Endurance Championship results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | Class | Chassis | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Rank | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018–19 | Jackie Chan DC Racing | LMP2 | Oreca 07 | Gibson GK428 4.2 L V8 | SPA 3 |
LMS 2 |
SIL 2 |
FUJ 1 |
SHA 4 |
SEB | SPA | LMS | 4th | 98 |
24 Hours of Le Mans results
edit| Year | Team | Co-Drivers | Car | Class | Laps | Pos. | Class Pos. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 |  Jackie Chan DC Racing
|
Jazeman Jaafar Nabil Jeffri
|
Oreca 07-Gibson | LMP2 | 361 | 8th | 4th |
References
edit- ^ alextang (15 June 2016). "Weiron Tan : One of the best racing drivers in Malaysian history". The Coverage Automotive. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
- ^ "Malaysian motor racer Weiron Tan has a need for speed | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
- ^ ""Kosmic Kart Racing Department 2011"". Archived from the original on 13 July 2011. Retrieved 18 April 2011.
- ^ "Team Lotus expands Young Driver Program", The F1 Times, 2 April 2011
- ^ Arnaz M. Khairul, "Team Lotus expand junior driver scheme", New Sunday Times — Motorsports, 3 April 2011
- ^ "Driver Development Program Launched in Putrajaya" Archived 4 April 2011 at the Wayback Machine, 2 April 2011
- ^ "Other Sport: Ron to drive in JK Racing Asia Series | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
- ^ "First Formula Victory for Weiron Tan on Formula Gulf 1000 Debut - automobilsport.com". www.automobilsport.com. Archived from the original on 7 August 2020. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Formula Gulf Academy". Formula Gulf Academy. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
- ^ "Other Sport: Weiron shows class in Abu Dhabi | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
- ^ "Weiron Tan Joins Fortec Motorsports For Protyre Formula Renault :: PaddockTalk :: F1, Formula 1, NASCAR, IndyCar, MotoGP, ALMS, And More!". paddocktalk.com. Retrieved 1 April 2020.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Motorsport: Weiron continues winning streak at Rockingham | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
- ^ "Protyre Formula Renault Championship - Page 4 of 6 - The Checkered Flag". www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk. Retrieved 1 April 2020.[permanent dead link]
- ^ David, Gruz (2 November 2013). "2013 Protyre Formula Renault season review". Formula Scout. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
- ^ "Weiron Tan to drive for Andretti Autosport in Pro Mazda". www.motorsport.com. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
- ^ Sinclair, Adam. "Weiron Tan Moves into Title Contention with Runaway Iowa Victory". www.speedwaydigest.com. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
- ^ O'Connell, R. J. (25 April 2015). "Weiron Tan sprints uncontested to first Pro Mazda race win". Formula Scout. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
- ^ "Tan Controls Rescheduled Pro Mazda Race". www.indypro2000.com. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
- ^ "Motorsport: Malaysian racer Weiron ends Pro Mazda season fourth overall | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
- ^ "Weiron Tan Set to Challenge for Title with Team Pelfrey". www.indypro2000.com. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
- ^ "Sportscar convert Weiron Tan to contest China GT Championship with Absolute Racing - automobilsport.com". www.automobilsport.com.
- ^ Racecar. "Racecar". www.racecar.com. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
- ^ Ishak, Fadhli (10 January 2018). "Weiron wants to show Team Jackie Chan's power at Asian Le Mans". NST Online. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
- ^ "Three Malaysian Drivers To Debut at This Year's Le Mans 24 Hours Race - Auto News - Carlist.my". Carlist.my - Malaysia's No.1 Car Site. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
- ^ "Malaysian trio to make maiden appearance at 24 Hours of Le Mans | MOTORSPORTS News | Stadium Astro". www.stadiumastro.com. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
- ^ "Meet the new names in LMP2". www.fiawec.com. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
- ^ "Motorsport: Malaysian trio finish 10th overall in Le Mans | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
- ^ "Motorsport: Jazeman, Nabil and Weiron make WEC history | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
- ^ "Malaysian trio take first ever win in World Endurance Championship race". Front Desk. 15 October 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2020.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Motorsport: Malaysian trio set sights on championship title after Japan win | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
- ^ "Malaysian trio claim maiden win in WEC | Daily Express Online - Sabah's Leading News Portal". dailyexpress.com.my. 16 October 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
- ^ "Motorsport: Weiron going big time with Audi | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
- ^ "Weiron Tan diumum pemandu Audi Sport 2019". BH Online (in Malay). 28 March 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
- ^ Sports247 (29 March 2019). "Weiron named as official Audi Sport Asian driver for 2019". Sports247. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Audi Sport R8 LMS Cup Fuji summit conquered: Victory for Weiron Tan and Martin Rump". www.audi-motorsport-asia.com. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
- ^ "Martin Rump and Weiron Tan Take Second Win of the Season |". www.dsf.my. 29 September 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
- ^ Ishak, Fadhli (12 May 2019). "Mixed fortunes for Weiron in Buriram". NST Online. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
- ^ "Audi Sport R8 LMS Cup News Feed". www.audi-motorsport-asia.com. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
- ^ "Audi Sport R8 LMS Cup Weiron Tan and Martin Rump climb to second beneath Mount Fuji". www.audi-motorsport-asia.com. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
External links
edit- Official website
- Weiron Tan career summary at DriverDB.com