Racing24-7.net met up with Weiron Tan, who is one of the latest motorsport talents coming out of Malaysia. He is driving for the Jackie Chan DC Racing #37 in the FIA World Endurance Championship in the 2018/19 season.
The interview was recorded on the Friday evening of the 6 Hours of Spa Francorchamps, so he didn’t know yet, that they would finish the race in 4th positions, not far off the final podium position.
But we started out asking him about his previous exploits in European racing.
“I started racing in Europe in 2013, a good five years ago. I started in Formula Renault BARC UK, then I jumped into F3 in 2014. Went on to the US in 2015. In 2016 I went back to Asia – and now I’m here.”
“I think WEC is a big challenge for all of us, for the three of us. We just keep our heads down, keep making progression, and focus on our targets each weekend. So far, so good by starting P4, and I’m proud of the boys. The team did a really good job, and so did Jazeman (Jaafar) and Nabil (Jeffri).”
Photo: JJ Media
The 23 year-old racing driver became a part of the JOTA Sport and Jackie Chan DC Racing family earlier this year, when they teamed up in the Asian Le Mans Series in one of the older LMP2 cars.
“It went really well, especially in Sepang. It was the first time with JOTA and Jackie Chan DC Racing. Out of the box, we got a spectacular result, and just snowballed from there. A big thank you to Sepang International Circuit as well for supporting us. This is a big programme – three Malaysians for the first time ever. We are really looking forward to the full season.”
The team won their first race out at Buriram in Thailand, but sadly had technical issues on their home track. But they had been leading the race early on, until the gremlins sneaked in, and resulted in them losing the win and a podium finish.
Photo: JJ Media
There are some quite well-known Malaysian sponsors like Petronas, who is a big sponsor in other parts of the sport. They do a lot of promotion, right?
“Petronas has always been a name in motor racing, because of their association with Mercedes. They have supported drivers in the past, but I think their angle or direction has changed a little – now they are focusing a little bit more on Formula 1, and not so much on the young upcoming drivers. But we are very happy that Sepang is filling in that role, and helping out the young guys.”
Are you doing a lot of promotion for the team and the sport in Malaysia?
“Because it’s such a new programme, we, together with Sepang, are doing a lot of promotions, back home. And of course getting international exposure would be fantastic for them as well. Everyone in the motor racing world knows Sepang, home of Malaysia. It’s already a name that is out there, so yeah, we are doing a lot of things together.”
The team is currently gearing up for the Le Mans test day this Sunday, before the big 24 Hours of Le Mans race is going to be run on 16-17 June.
