The second round of the JK Racing Asia Series took place at the Paul Ricard HTTT in France this weekend and Tan Wei Ron (Weiron) made his mark on the championship by scoring his maiden podium, finishing third in the first of Sunday’s two races. 

Driving for the Eurointernational team, Weiron began his weekend in a positive manner, qualifying in fourth position for both of Sunday’s races in a competitive qualifying session for the Series’ first European encounter.

Sunday’s first race, round 5 of the 2012 championship, took place in the morning and Weiron had a brilliant start, moving up from fourth to second on the first lap, followed by Nabil Jeffri. Jeffri followed close behind and found a way past to claim second, pushing Weiron back to third. Leader Afiq Yazid was then handed a drive through penalty which promoted Weiron back to second, but he was then overtaken by Ernie Van Der Walt and returned to third position. The 17-year-old Malaysian maintained his place until the chequered flag to claim his first podium of the season.

In the second race Weiron once again began from the second row in fourth. Unfortunately, as he was shifting down gears going into a fast sweeping corner, he aggravated a hand injury that had threatened to stop him racing this weekend and, trying to control the car with one hand, he lost the rear and spun. He kept going and managed to finish in eighth position, adding to his points tally.

“In the first race I had a pretty good start and was in second by turn two. I tried to hold position but Nabil overtook me fair and square so I just tried to stay with him as long as I could. After a few laps Afiq had a penalty and I was in second again. I was pretty happy but when I tried to catch Nabil the pace just wasn’t there. Ernie came pretty quick and overtook so I just maintained third” said Tan after the weekend.

“In the second race I had the problem with my injury but I managed to go from ninth and finish in eighth. Considering my injury, I was quite satisfied this weekend to get the podium and points in the second race and the next race I aim to improve even further. I’m really happy to get that first podium of the season, the champagne definitely tasted good.”

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