Hi there,I have been following sgforums for quite some time but registered only recently...this is my 1st post..

Just out of curiousity,does anyone know of any professional racers in sg? Is Dennis Lian considered a pro racer? i read abt him in the papers some time ago but cant recall what racing league is he in..if im not wrong hes the only full time pro racer in sg

i was wondering... how does one take the first step towards becoming a professional racing driver in sg? Are the prospects good? Is the SMSA or AAS in charge of groomming drivers who have a passion for motor racing?

i heard from friends that go-karting is a good start for a pro racing career.
most of the f1 drivers started off from go karting... but does this apply in sg context?

Originally posted by forumer84:

Hi there,I have been following sgforums for quite some time but registered only recently...this is my 1st post..

Just out of curiousity,does anyone know of any professional racers in sg? Is Dennis Lian considered a pro racer? i read abt him in the papers some time ago but cant recall what racing league is he in..if im not wrong hes the only full time pro racer in sg

i was wondering... how does one take the first step towards becoming a professional racing driver in sg? Are the prospects good? Is the SMSA or AAS in charge of groomming drivers who have a passion for motor racing?

i heard from friends that go-karting is a good start for a pro racing career.
most of the f1 drivers started off from go karting... but does this apply in sg context?

I believe Denis is racing in the V8 Supercars in Australia this season.

Originally posted by forumer84:

Hi there,I have been following sgforums for quite some time but registered only recently...this is my 1st post..

Just out of curiousity,does anyone know of any professional racers in sg? Is Dennis Lian considered a pro racer? i read abt him in the papers some time ago but cant recall what racing league is he in..if im not wrong hes the only full time pro racer in sg

i was wondering... how does one take the first step towards becoming a professional racing driver in sg? Are the prospects good? Is the SMSA or AAS in charge of groomming drivers who have a passion for motor racing?

i heard from friends that go-karting is a good start for a pro racing career.
most of the f1 drivers started off from go karting... but does this apply in sg context?

to put it bluntly? Go karts offer u the best chance of stepping into full time pro-racing, but its still a tough uphill challenge. I raced 3 seasons semi-pro in karts and other stuff, but in the end had to give it up due to financial constrains.

Dennis is possibly the closest Singapore has to a professional racer. Although when I last left for UK and he gave me a little pep talk, he was also some manager for Eurocars, think he was in charge of the Lotus cars or something.

Maybe in terms of number of events participated in, Ringo Chong can count as another, but to date apart from Dennis, I don't think Singapore has any racers who races for a living. No thanks to the infernal lack of support from this blasted country's administration of course.

Originally posted by forumer84:

Hi there,I have been following sgforums for quite some time but registered only recently...this is my 1st post..

Just out of curiousity,does anyone know of any professional racers in sg? Is Dennis Lian considered a pro racer? i read abt him in the papers some time ago but cant recall what racing league is he in..if im not wrong hes the only full time pro racer in sg

i was wondering... how does one take the first step towards becoming a professional racing driver in sg? Are the prospects good? Is the SMSA or AAS in charge of groomming drivers who have a passion for motor racing?

i heard from friends that go-karting is a good start for a pro racing career.
most of the f1 drivers started off from go karting... but does this apply in sg context?

well yup u are right...but in SG cos of the govt the prospects are almost a big fat zero man...thats the grim reality

to add on, SMSA does not groom anyone for anything. They dun have the financial power to, nor the backing from the govt to.

The racing scene in Singapore is barely developed and the govt has to pump in lots more money to spark public's interest as well as to develop all the infrastructure and peripherals.

Racing is a whole industry by itself and cost a lot of money.

Originally posted by sgheartland:

The racing scene in Singapore is barely developed and the govt has to pump in lots more money to spark public's interest as well as to develop all the infrastructure and peripherals.

Racing is a whole industry by itself and cost a lot of money.

Well said. u understand the industry well.

There are also humble drivers like George Ong and Bill Ng.

Originally posted by HENG@:

to put it bluntly? Go karts offer u the best chance of stepping into full time pro-racing, but its still a tough uphill challenge. I raced 3 seasons semi-pro in karts and other stuff, but in the end had to give it up due to financial constrains.

Dennis is possibly the closest Singapore has to a professional racer. Although when I last left for UK and he gave me a little pep talk, he was also some manager for Eurocars, think he was in charge of the Lotus cars or something.

Maybe in terms of number of events participated in, Ringo Chong can count as another, but to date apart from Dennis, I don't think Singapore has any racers who races for a living. No thanks to the infernal lack of support from this blasted country's administration of course.

ringo chong...LOL I think after he got shot in the ass...haven seen much from him until last week when he sent his car in for repairs....

Originally posted by AE86tofu:

ringo chong...LOL I think after he got shot in the ass...haven seen much from him until last week when he sent his car in for repairs....

which car? the white 911?

nothing to do except hope for a tuas track...

OT, but...

Originally posted by HENG@:

Maybe in terms of number of events participated in, Ringo Chong can count as another, but to date apart from Dennis, I don't think Singapore has any racers who races for a living. No thanks to the infernal lack of support from this blasted country's administration of course.

me guess london's really ur place, ya?

Originally posted by tomsss:

which car? the white 911?

X5 la....but cannot reveal the palte.....

to put it bluntly? Go karts offer u the best chance of stepping into full time pro-racing, but its still a tough uphill challenge. I raced 3 seasons semi-pro in karts and other stuff, but in the end had to give it up due to financial constrains.

Dennis is possibly the closest Singapore has to a professional racer. Although when I last left for UK and he gave me a little pep talk, he was also some manager for Eurocars, think he was in charge of the Lotus cars or something.

Maybe in terms of number of events participated in, Ringo Chong can count as another, but to date apart from Dennis, I don't think Singapore has any racers who races for a living. No thanks to the infernal lack of support from this blasted country's administration of course.

so how much does one need to prepare to fork out initially for a racing career?
sry..it sounds silly but im really curious..
and i wud like to ask Heng how u started the ball rolling...u started ur karting career in sg or uk? are u still racing full time now btw?

and how does one apply for a racing license? u need to be part of a club or individually can apply..im really interested in motor racing but prob is i absolutely don noe where and how to start?..

i guess s'poreans generally are skeptical of motor racing cos of the dangers plus with reports of bikes and car accidents in the papers..esp bikes, naturally most parents wont allow their children to take part in racing..however i feel that speeding is not dangerous if one can CONTROL the machine and if it is on a proper race track..i believe speed is nothing without control.perhaps the building of Tuas Speedway is a small step by the govt to bring motor racing to sg in the near future...hopefully .

If the majority of the public is not interested then the Govt will consider a waste of money to promote the sport as the money would only benefit a small core of enthusiast.

Currently, we all know how disinterested the general public is in racing. How many even bother to go down to Sepang to catch F1 or watch it on cable. Even kopitiam dun bother to show sometimes. Especially if F1 and EPL clash.

Soccer is so well received by the public thats why so much cash and support is given to the soccer scene... I must say trying to be a Pro racer in Sg is probably worse than trying to be a singer or actor in Sg...

Maybe if F1 is held in Sg, then things may turn for the better. But then, to think that Sg did refuse F1 to be held here before does tell you the bleak state of affairs.

would the bottomline be, “trying to turn pro in the motor racing industry in Sg is nearly impossible” ?

Originally posted by yeehaw:

would the bottomline be, "trying to turn pro in the motor racing industry in Sg is nearly impossible" ?

well yes....and FYI the tuas speedway is on hold....AGAIN....

on hold ? argh ... any article on that? wat bout the site? nothing up yet?

Originally posted by AE86tofu:

well yes....and FYI the tuas speedway is on hold....AGAIN....

OH WELL

Originally posted by AE86tofu:

well yes....and FYI the tuas speedway is on hold....AGAIN....

not suprising.

Originally posted by HENG@:

to put it bluntly? Go karts offer u the best chance of stepping into full time pro-racing, but its still a tough uphill challenge. I raced 3 seasons semi-pro in karts and other stuff, but in the end had to give it up due to financial constrains.

Dennis is possibly the closest Singapore has to a professional racer. Although when I last left for UK and he gave me a little pep talk, he was also some manager for Eurocars, think he was in charge of the Lotus cars or something.

Maybe in terms of number of events participated in, Ringo Chong can count as another, but to date apart from Dennis, I don't think Singapore has any racers who races for a living. No thanks to the infernal lack of support from this blasted country's administration of course.

wah u r a tomboy

Originally posted by Chelzea:

wah u r a tomboy

hey... she can compare with all the guys here u noe... dun play play arh...

Originally posted by Anti_AhSiah:

There are also humble drivers like George Ong and Bill Ng.

the fact that they are not at least as "household name" as some other sportspersons in sg like the table tennis or football people, shows how woeful the support from the govt and the SSC is. It's tragic.

Originally posted by bunny2002sg:

nothing to do except hope for a tuas track...

OT, but...

me guess london's really ur place, ya?

no sh|t

Originally posted by forumer84:

so how much does one need to prepare to fork out initially for a racing career?
sry..it sounds silly but im really curious..
and i wud like to ask Heng how u started the ball rolling...u started ur karting career in sg or uk? are u still racing full time now btw?

and how does one apply for a racing license? u need to be part of a club or individually can apply..im really interested in motor racing but prob is i absolutely don noe where and how to start?..

i guess s'poreans generally are skeptical of motor racing cos of the dangers plus with reports of bikes and car accidents in the papers..esp bikes, naturally most parents wont allow their children to take part in racing..however i feel that speeding is not dangerous if one can CONTROL the machine and if it is on a proper race track..i believe speed is nothing without control.perhaps the building of Tuas Speedway is a small step by the govt to bring motor racing to sg in the near future...hopefully .

1st question: where do u intend to start? saloon cars? go karts? different costs for different paths.

I started karting in sg. Did it for 3 years in sg, mostly club races, with some international events both in Sg and overseas. Right now I'm not racing at all. I'm doing my degree in motorsport engineering in UK.

To apply for a racing licence, one has to be part of a club or a recognised team. The easiest way of course, is to apply for a SMSA club membership as well, which then allows u to apply for a licence as a privateer.

As for what u believe, I'd say u'r generally on the right track. Just remember to temper your enthusiasm with reality.

Originally posted by AE86tofu:

well yes....and FYI the tuas speedway is on hold....AGAIN....

AHAHAHAHHAHAHA

go and look at what i said when the news 1st came out. What did i say?

I am prophetic

and...

I TOLD YOU ALL SO! *gloats*