Connect with us

Michelin Pilot Challenge

Tan, Tanoto to Make Series Debut in Automatic Aston Martin GT4

Asian pairing to drive No. 99 Automatic Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT4 at Laguna Seca…

Photo: Automatic Racing

Former FIA World Endurance Championship LMP2 driver Weiron Tan and Indonesian racer Anderson Tanoto will make their IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge series debuts in an Automatic Racing-entered Aston Martin Vantage GT4 in next weekend’s race at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

The Asian pairing, who have sat out the last year-and-a-half of racing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, have joined forces with the David Russell-led operation.

“We made a miracle happen in a short amount of time,” said Tan. “We are so lucky to be working with David Russell as we get ready to join the Michelin Pilot Challenge.

“It’s wonderful to be back in a seat and to race alongside Anderson.

“I’m still involved in motorsports with the Aston Martin distributorship, but it’s good to get back in the car.”

Tan is a co-founder of Motorsport Services AMR Asia Ltd., the official Aston Martin distributor in Asia.

The 26-year-old Malaysian has previous experience of Laguna Seca from his season in Indy Pro 2000 in 2015 when driving for Andretti Autosport.

“WeatherTech Raceway is one of my all-time favorites,” said Tan. “Having driven there back in 2015, I know the circuit very well.

“Anderson has done some open track days, but we’ll get him some laps next weekend, and I can help get him up to speed quickly.

“And it’s fantastic to be racing under the Stoner Car Care colors – the Invisible Glass livery is instantly recognizable and I’m so glad to have them onboard.

“I know we’ll have a great weekend and I hope we’ll be competing for a podium finish.”

It’s believed that the Laguna event is currently a one-off for the pairing, although could potentially turn into more Pilot Challenge races.

“It’s fun running guys who are part of the Aston Martin community,” said Russell.

“They’ve been shut down in Asia for a while and they’d been looking for somewhere to run with Aston Martin – and what better place than WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca?

“We’ve had some really good conversations with both of them, they’re really tuned in, and I know they’ll be good.

“There won’t be any pressure, it will take them both a while to figure it out, even though Weiron has been there before.

“It’s a learning curve with the track and the car but they’re diligent guys, they’re smart guys, I have no doubt they’ll both be up to speed quickly.”

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John

Click to comment
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

More in Michelin Pilot Challenge