Chinese ace handed ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ sportscar opportunity
22-year-old strengthens relationship with front-running WEC outfit
CEFC Manor President ‘impressed’ by GT racer’s potential

Weiron Tan has been appointed as an official test and reserve driver for front-running FIA World Endurance Championship outfit CEFC Manor TRS Racing, in what the Chinese racer has hailed a ‘once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’.

Following a formative stint in single-seaters, Tan is currently competing for Absolute Racing in the China GT Championship – tallying a top five finish on his debut at Beijing Goldenport Park earlier this month. The 22-year-old’s palpable potential has clearly been recognised by CEFC Manor TRS Racing, whose LMP2 car he sampled during the FIA WEC rookie test in Bahrain towards the end of 2016.

Tan joins countryman Yuan Bo as one of two new recruits to CEFC Manor’s official test and reserve driver programme, and the former Caterham F1 Academy member can scarcely contain his enthusiasm at what he acknowledges is a golden chance to progress his burgeoning career.

“I am extremely excited to be part of the CEFC Manor TRS Racing family,” he remarked. “A big thank you to TRS and Graeme Lowdon for extending this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to me! I am familiar with the team from Bahrain last year and we get along very well. This is an exciting step forward in my racing career.”

“We are very happy that both Weiron and Yuan are joining the team,” added CEFC Manor President and Sporting Director Lowdon. “We know Weiron from our LMP2 test in Bahrain last year, where he impressed us with his speed and professional approach. These additions to our driver programme strengthen our presence in the Chinese region, which is important for us.”