MIXED RESULTS FOR SAMANTHA TAN’S FIRST RACE WEEKEND IN PWC
Press release - For immediate distribution
MIXED RESULTS FOR SAMANTHA TAN'S FIRST RACE WEEKEND IN PWC
AUSTIN (TX), March 7, 2016 – Physically and mentally prepared for her new racing season, Samantha Tan competed in the Pirelli World Challenge Rounds 1 and 2 of 12 in her new #38 Team OST Racing/GPI/Honda Civic Si at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, posting a 7th and a 10th place finish in the races, which include cars from the TC, TCA and TCB classes. Races from this first weekend will be aired on CBS Sports Network on Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at 8 p.m. ET.
Practice and qualifying sessions on Friday were cut short by red flags and an overheating engine due to a broken water pump belt. Fortunately, Tan's pit crew were quick to replace the defective belt and resolve the issue and she was back out on track with just enough time to secure a 12 position on the grid for race 1. Patrick Séguin, her team mate started 11th.
When the green flag dropped for a rolling race start to Round 1 of the season, Samantha started well and moved up a position to 11th. She continued to charge towards the front of the field, passing several cars along the way but had to battle against a TC class Miata that was blocking her for several laps. Her concentration and consistency allowed her to finish in 7th position in the TCA class.
Round 2 on Saturday saw another perfect weather for racing. This time, the race was launched from a standing start, the grid positions determined by the fastest lap times of the previous race. Tan started from the 11th position and actually made up some positions during the first lap, only to have a TC car spin out right in front of her in the last turn and crash into her car. The damage was minimal, but this incident put a lot of distance between her and the rest of her racing class. She kept her pace throughout the race but found the car understeering more than usual and could not advance further. She finished 10th in her class, three positions behind her team mate.
Overall, Tan was somewhat satisfied with her performance for the first 2 rounds of the PWC at COTA. "I am not totally happy with the results for the weekend. I think I could have finished a few positions better but at the same time, I am still getting used to the new car and its dynamics. Overall and compared to how I did last year here at COTA, I have to say I am quite happy as it is a much better result. I look forward to the next two rounds on my home track at Mosport."
Samantha Tan's team will have plenty of time to update the car and make sure it is ready for the next race. Rounds 3 and 4 will take place on May 19-22 at the Canadian Tire Motorsports Park (CTMP), in Bowmanville, Ontario. This single visit to Canada for PWC will be special for Samantha as she will be racing on her home track.
Samantha's race fans can follow her on samanthatanracing.com, Instagram (@samanthatan_racing), Facebook (STRSamantha) and on Twitter (@STR_Samantha).
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT JASON LOW AT Jason.low@gpiglobal.com.
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