Fellow Motorist: Roy Tang, Porsche Carrera Cup race winner and member of the Shane Ang Racing team
For Roy, motorsport started with a love for go-karts and a competitive streak that eventually took him from grassroots racing to some of Asia’s biggest racing series. We speak to Roy about his first car, what it feels like to race in Singapore, and what it takes to compete in GT racing.
This Fellow Motorist story is part of a series featuring the racing drivers from the Motorist-supported Shane Ang Racing team, a group of Singapore's best drivers who battle it out on track in some of Asia's toughest motorsport competitions.
How long have you been a motorist? When did you start driving?
Since I was 19 years old, so about 17 years.
Roy's first car, the rotary-powered Mazda RX-8.
Do you remember your first car?
A Mazda RX-8.
What do you like and dislike about being a motorist in Singapore?
The slower traffic at times, especially when Singaporeans hog the right lane instead of overtaking.
Out of all the cars you've owned, which is your favourite?
The Mazda RX-7 FD3S.
What would be your number one dream car?
My Mazda RX-7 FD3S, haha! But maybe also the Xiaomi YU7 GT for convenience and comfort.
Roy, pictured here racing at the now-defunct KF1 Circuit.
How long have you been racing, and how did you get started?
I started when I was 18 years old at the Zhuhai Circuit in China. Professionally, I would say I started at 26 at the KF1 Karting Circuit. I started out by driving go-karts with my friends. I was competitive and wanted to pursue it further, eventually becoming a national and Asian karting champion.
What has been the most rewarding part of racing for you?
Purple sectors (purple means an overall best for the session) and lap times. Wins, of course, and celebrating all the hard work with the team.
And what's been the most challenging moment for you in your racing career?
Finances are one challenge. Fitness and finding the time to train are another.
What do you do to relax in between races?
I work, haha, to finance more racing time.
For 2026, Roy is racing in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia in a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.
You've recently moved up to high-flying GT categories like China GT and Porsche Carrera Cup Asia. How does the experience in those series compare to what you were racing previously?
No offence to production car racing, because grassroots racing is a more affordable form of racing and teaches you a lot about racecraft. However, the main difference between modified production cars and GT cars is reliability and cost.
GT cars are built for the racetrack by the factory. They last, they rarely break down, and they are consistent. They have high G-forces and high braking power, which require strong legs and strong physical fitness to drive them. And, of course, they are costly.
Roy getting ready to race at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in 2025 in Porsche Carrera Cup Asia.
You're one of the very few lucky Singaporeans to have raced on the Marina Bay Street Circuit. Can you tell us more about what that feels like?
Of course, it is my dream to race in Singapore as a Singaporean. The feeling of being on that track with so many Singaporean fans out there is indescribable. It feels like I have already won before the race even ends.
What's your favourite race track that you've driven on?
Spa-Francorchamps. The elevation change throughout the lap is crazy.
What's your favourite race car you've driven?
The Porsche 911 GT3 R.
What do you think is the most important quality for a racing driver to have?
The ability to feel the limits of the car.
Roy celebrating his victory in Sepang at Round 9 of the 2026 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia season.
What's next for you in your racing journey?
For now, GT3 in China GT and probably GT World Challenge if the budget allows.
Do you have someone you look up to in the racing world?
Lewis Hamilton. At his age, he can still perform. It makes me think that I can still race until my mid-40s.
What would you say to people who want to race like you?
Take it one step at a time. Start with go-karting to train your physical abilities, and use a simulator to train your fundamentals. Get the budget together and start with production cars before moving up to GT. If you are young and have a big budget, maybe go from Formula 4 to Formula 3, Formula 2, and Formula 1!
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