Porsche takes great pride in being a marque that constantly hones and refines its breed of road-going sports cars with lessons learnt directly from the international races it participates in. From the track to the road and from the road to the track is a motto that has always been part of Porsche's DNA.
During the recent 24 hour race at the Nurburgring, a registered stock standard 911 GT3 RS made its way from the factory in Weissach to Nurburg for the race under its own power. The Porsche backed racing team included renowned journalists Chris Harris and Horst von Saturma teamed with factory drivers Roland Asch and Patrick Simon. After the 24 hour race and cliching 13th overall, the team replaced the slicks with normal road tires and drove the car 306 kilometres back to the factory on public roads. Few sports cars and manufacturers in the world can claim such durability in their racing machines. What more a road-going sports car?
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The PCCA is unique in that unlike the rest of the Carrera Cup championships, drivers 'arrive and drive' with professional support provided at each location by a group of mechanics assigned by the organizers. For the 2010 season however, drivers were allowed to bring in their own teams to make the races just that little bit more exciting.
Also unique to the PCCA are the two different categories competing in the same race for two separate titles. Class A is reserved for professional drivers while Class B is made up of non-professional drivers.This year saw the debut of the new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Car that is closely based on the latest road-going 911 GT3 RS MK II. As the brochure says, the latest Cup Car is stronger, wider and faster. The new car has had its weight reduced significantly from the road car's 1445 kilogrammes to a more lithe fighting weight of 1200 kilogrammes.
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At the business end, the same melodic mechanical clatter and induction roar of the flat six remains but gains 0.2 litres in capacity. This allows a 30 bhp increase in its power over the older 3.6-litre power plant. The new 3.8-litre flat six is based closely on the one used in the road-going 911 GT3 RS. This means the power output of 450 bhp and maximum engine speed of 8,500 rpm are similar to the road-going brethren. Unlike the road car however, the 450 ponies here are tamed using a sequential six-speed manual that allows quicker shifts in race conditions compared to the standard six speed manual in the road car.
Externally, the car receives a redesigned front end that gives it instant relation to the current 911 series. The most notable difference comes from the day time driving lights that is also a new addition on the production line. While the Cup Car shares most of the front body panels with the GT3 RS, the front spoiler lip is 15 millimetres lower to provide significantly increased downforce to the front axle. In the rear, downforce has been increased as well through the widening of the rear wing's width from 1.46 to 1.70 metres. The rear air dam with its striking air vent openings together with the LED rear lights are lifted directly from the road car.
The 911 GT3 Cup Car is culmination of a progressive evolution from road-going sports car to an all out track attack machine. And it takes a special individual with a great love for all things Porsche to pilot such a machine.
Yuey Tan is that pilot. He is one of our youngest racers and represents the next generation of Singaporean bred drivers competing on the international scene. The self-professed Porsche enthusiast was bitten by the racing bug at a very young age. His love for speed transcends beyond the four wheeled machines and over time, he has raced with anything on wheels.
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In 2008, Yuey made his debut in the PCCA during the last few rounds showing promising results despite only having participated in three races. He was back again in 2009 for his full season as a rookie and turned in an admirable result finishing the season 11th out of 20. In his second year racing a full season, the young driver once again proved his mettle by climbing further up the leader board by finishing 7th out of 20. On top of participating in the PCCA, Yuey also races concurrently in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia. Proving that this young driver is committed to putting a Singapore name on the international scene by challenging himself in as many races possible in the calendar year.
During the Singapore leg of PCCA in September, Yuey was kind enough to offer me a chance to view his Cup Car up close. During my time spent with the personable and jovial young driver, we touched on topics ranging from the development of the local motorsports scene to our common love for all things Porsche. Oh yes, I managed to throw him some questions during our light hearted discussions as well™read on!
Me: Hi Yuey, thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule for this interview. You must have lots to tend to so let's get to it!
Me: After last year's strong finish, once again you're in good form to finish the race in the top three this year. What are you doing different this year compared to last year when you were a rookie?
Yuey: The 2010 season has been a real eye opener for sure. Between 2009 and 2010, a whopping ten new cars joined the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, making it the most competitive regional series in Asia. Being amongst some of these fast guys has seasoned me and given me some valuable experience under the belt. What I'm doing different this year? I'd say reacting to the car better, and having better feeling to keep the car going quick! We want to improve pace overall.
Me: Having raced the new GT3 Cup car for more than half the season, what are your thoughts on the new car versus the old?
Yuey: It's a fantastic racing car. It is a heck of a lot of car for the price that you pay from Porsche, and the series is strong and well built up, so things have been good in PCCA for 2010. The new car is a little more sensitive and the rear Michelin's wear out rear tyres quickly. It's also a quicker race car than the old one with increased horsepower, and a widebody to improve overall grip. The old car is also a great car though over time, Porsche has evolved into a modernized direction that will keep the Cup cars a favourite for GT3 drivers.
Me: You've been crowned King of the Tarmac since winning the race against the 747 last year. Do you have plans to take on a new titan in the near future? Like an air force fighter jet perhaps?
Yuey: Well, this would be my dream! I've written to the air force quite a few times buy unfortunately, it's hard to gain support to pull off stunts like these. These entertainment ideas are great for the country I think, as it shows a certain creativity where the intellectual property belongs in the country. This is cool. There is also interest from other countries to pull off stunts like this so we are speaking with them too. We have track record now.
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Yuey: That's easy. Grew up in Adelaide, the capital of South Australia. They had the Formula 1 street circuit there between 1985 and 1995. It was an absolutely fantastic event and as a young guy, was able to watch Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill, Mika Hakkinen, Jean Alesi, Gerhard Berger, and a young Michael Schumacher, Rubens Barichello and Heinz Herald Fretzen. It was little old Adelaide and we had a Formula 1. For that weekend, motorsport ruled. Schools would close down, the mall would be out of bounds, and things would be chaotic. It was a crazy place and I caught the bug right here.
Me: Driving a Porsche both on and off the track, is there a particular reason why you're so fond of the German marque?
Yuey: The Porsche in my opinion has the same philosophies as I would have if I had a car company. High performance, fuel efficient, reliable and robust, and with a certain degree of motorsport heritage. It definitely helps if a car company does get into motorsport technology with what the company learns. Whether the manufacturer applies it in the road car is up to them, but I believe that Porsche does this. The Porsche GT3, from all models takes its motorsport DNA from the Carrera Cup Car for the era and this is a marvellous achievement. You know they are from the same heritage when you drive each of them. This is why I like them.
Me: Do you have plans to continue into a third year with PCCA or move on to other racing series next year?
Yuey: I think that for the 2011 season, there is a good chance that we will be staying in the Porsche Carrera Cup race series. Of course like any series, there are things that can be improved but it is the one make series, the heritage, and the quality of drivers that makes me enjoy racing in the PCCA. I believe that some of the best do still drive here and to improve as a driver, I rather get beaten in a quality series so that one day, I can win! Hopefully.
In 2011, we will also be taking part in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia. We do this series as the motorsport industry over there is somewhat more mature than our own. Borrowing knowledge to improve ourselves in Asia is the key, so working and operating the team over there gives us insight into what is going on. This is cool for us.
Me: What's your favourite PCCA track and why?
Yuey: I'd have to say that the Marina Bay Circuit at our home GP has to be my favourite. This would be true of many of the drivers at the Singapore GP I think. It is an epic event of epic proportions, and running at a race with this serious infrastructure investments, is a great privilege and a pleasure of mine. To have the opportunity to race it for a second time this year far exceeds all expectations. Now perhaps, 2011 is locked down too for a 3rd time. So we'll see.
Me: Lastly, do you have any tips or advice for our aspiring local racers?
Yuey: Keep on pushing hard. But make sure that you drive smart as well. Stay humble as there will be always someone faster than you!
Me: Thanks Yuey for coming out today. It was great fun hanging out!
Yuey: Thanks for your time Ben. Was a pleasure!
