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Weiron Tan

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Weiron Tan
NationalityMalaysia Malaysian
Born (1994-12-03) 3 December 1994 (age 29)
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
FIA World Endurance Championship - LMP2 career
Debut season2018
Current teamJackie Chan DC Racing
Racing licence FIA Silver
Car number37
Starts5
Wins1
Poles1
Best finish4th in 2018-19

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.

Career

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Karting

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Tan 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

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In 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

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In 2012, Tan competed part-time in the single-seater championship JK Racing Asia Series.[7]

Formula Gulf 1000

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Later 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

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In 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

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2014 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

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Ahead 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

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In 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

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2018 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

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After 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

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Career summary

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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

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(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

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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

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(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

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Year Team Co-Drivers Car Class Laps Pos. Class
Pos.
2018 China Jackie Chan DC Racing Malaysia Jazeman Jaafar
Malaysia Nabil Jeffri
Oreca 07-Gibson LMP2 361 8th 4th

References

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  1. ^ alextang (15 June 2016). "Weiron Tan : One of the best racing drivers in Malaysian history". The Coverage Automotive. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  2. ^ "Malaysian motor racer Weiron Tan has a need for speed | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  3. ^ ""Kosmic Kart Racing Department 2011"". Archived from the original on 13 July 2011. Retrieved 18 April 2011.
  4. ^ "Team Lotus expands Young Driver Program", The F1 Times, 2 April 2011
  5. ^ Arnaz M. Khairul, "Team Lotus expand junior driver scheme", New Sunday Times — Motorsports, 3 April 2011
  6. ^ "Driver Development Program Launched in Putrajaya" Archived 4 April 2011 at the Wayback Machine, 2 April 2011
  7. ^ "Other Sport: Ron to drive in JK Racing Asia Series | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  8. ^ "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)
  9. ^ "Formula Gulf Academy". Formula Gulf Academy. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  10. ^ "Other Sport: Weiron shows class in Abu Dhabi | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  11. ^ "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]
  12. ^ "Motorsport: Weiron continues winning streak at Rockingham | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  13. ^ "Protyre Formula Renault Championship - Page 4 of 6 - The Checkered Flag". www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk. Retrieved 1 April 2020.[permanent dead link]
  14. ^ David, Gruz (2 November 2013). "2013 Protyre Formula Renault season review". Formula Scout. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  15. ^ "Weiron Tan to drive for Andretti Autosport in Pro Mazda". www.motorsport.com. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  16. ^ Sinclair, Adam. "Weiron Tan Moves into Title Contention with Runaway Iowa Victory". www.speedwaydigest.com. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  17. ^ O'Connell, R. J. (25 April 2015). "Weiron Tan sprints uncontested to first Pro Mazda race win". Formula Scout. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  18. ^ "Tan Controls Rescheduled Pro Mazda Race". www.indypro2000.com. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  19. ^ "Motorsport: Malaysian racer Weiron ends Pro Mazda season fourth overall | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  20. ^ "Weiron Tan Set to Challenge for Title with Team Pelfrey". www.indypro2000.com. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  21. ^ "Sportscar convert Weiron Tan to contest China GT Championship with Absolute Racing - automobilsport.com". www.automobilsport.com.
  22. ^ Racecar. "Racecar". www.racecar.com. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  23. ^ Ishak, Fadhli (10 January 2018). "Weiron wants to show Team Jackie Chan's power at Asian Le Mans". NST Online. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  24. ^ "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.
  25. ^ "Malaysian trio to make maiden appearance at 24 Hours of Le Mans | MOTORSPORTS News | Stadium Astro". www.stadiumastro.com. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  26. ^ "Meet the new names in LMP2". www.fiawec.com. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  27. ^ "Motorsport: Malaysian trio finish 10th overall in Le Mans | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  28. ^ "Motorsport: Jazeman, Nabil and Weiron make WEC history | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  29. ^ "Malaysian trio take first ever win in World Endurance Championship race". Front Desk. 15 October 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2020.[permanent dead link]
  30. ^ "Motorsport: Malaysian trio set sights on championship title after Japan win | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  31. ^ "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.
  32. ^ "Motorsport: Weiron going big time with Audi | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  33. ^ "Weiron Tan diumum pemandu Audi Sport 2019". BH Online (in Malay). 28 March 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  34. ^ 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)
  35. ^ "Audi Sport R8 LMS Cup Fuji summit conquered: Victory for Weiron Tan and Martin Rump". www.audi-motorsport-asia.com. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  36. ^ "Martin Rump and Weiron Tan Take Second Win of the Season |". www.dsf.my. 29 September 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  37. ^ Ishak, Fadhli (12 May 2019). "Mixed fortunes for Weiron in Buriram". NST Online. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  38. ^ "Audi Sport R8 LMS Cup News Feed". www.audi-motorsport-asia.com. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  39. ^ "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.
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