SINGAPORE — Singaporean race driver Andrew Tang got his debut in the Porsche GT3 Cup Trophy China off to a great start last week when he and his co-driver Pan Chao won the first two races of the series.

Competing under the Team JRM flag, and racing in a Porsche 911 GT3 (Type 991), the duo took pole in both qualifying races, and maintained their advantage in the final rounds at Goldenport Park Circuit in Beijing.

Tang, 22, told TODAY that it was a “dream” debut and credited his chemistry with amateur Chinese driver Pan, whom he met only last month, as the main factor in doing well.

“Going into the weekend, the target was definitely to win both races as we had great pace all throughout pre-season testing,” he said.

“Even so, the competition was very close and I’m grateful to my co-driver Pan Chao for his awesome performance throughout the weekend, as well as JRM for giving us a really great car.

“I think the key to winning the races was that we had a very strong driver partnership.

“Pan performed really well and to win this championship, you really need both drivers to be performing well, so huge credit to him.”

The inaugural GT3 Cup Trophy China is a series within the China GT Championship. It is contested only between teams racing in the Porsche 911 GT3.

Tang and Pan are also entered in the GTC class of the China GT Championship. They are leading both the GT3 Cup and the GTC class after their two wins over the weekend.

There are five more legs left in this year’s China GT Championship, which sees drivers competing in hour-long endurance races for a total prize purse of seven million yuan (S$1.4 million).

Like the Beijing leg, each will consist of two races.

The next leg will be at the Ordos International Circuit in Inner Mongolia, from July 8-9.

It is the first time Tang is racing in the China GT Championship and he relished the opportunity.

“It was a really good experience,” he said. “This is really my first time racing with a co-driver and pit stops, so it’s definitely different as there are more variables when it comes to overall performance.

“However, I am really enjoying the challenge and this gives me a chance to foster some really strong bonds with my co-driver as well as the team.”

Tang’s next race, however, will be in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (PCCA), the other competition he is racing in this year.

Having finished fourth in his debut last season, where he picked up two wins, Tang will be competing again for the Porsche China Junior team on a one million yuan sponsorship.

Tang will draw confidence from his victories in Beijing as he prepares for his third and fourth PCCA races of the season, scheduled for June 2-4 at Fuji International Speedway in Japan.

He is currently third in the overall standings, six points off leader Martin Ragginger.

“I think these results are definitely very encouraging … (and will) help with my preparation for the upcoming races,” he said.

“I’m already looking forward to getting back in the car again!”