Denis Lian
Encyclopedia
Denis Lian (born 8 March 1972) is a Singapore
an race car driver.
Denis Lian is Singapore's most successful professional racing driver. In 2002, he was crowned Asian Formula 2000 Champion, becoming the first Singaporean to win an international motorsports title. In 2003 & 2004, he drove for TVR Malaysia and Lotus Cars Asia Pacific respectively, in various endurance races. In 2005, he became the first Singaporean to compete in Europe when he raced in the Formula Palmer Audi Euro Series. In 2006, he established his own Formula V6 Asia race team to compete in the region's premier series, finishing 5th overall as driver and owner. Later that year, he was given the honor to represent Singapore in A1GP, the World Cup of Motorsports, racing for A1 Team Singapore in the first two rounds of the series. Denis was also the brand manager for Lotus Cars Singapore from 2004 to 2005 and currently races a Lotus in various international endurance events, like the 24h Dubai and 12h Sepang. In early 2010, Denis joined Wearnes Automotive as their Motorsports Manager.
. When he got back to Singapore he was fortunate enough to be sponsored by the top kart racing team: Kartmaster. The owner, Roland Chong gave him an opportunity to prove himself with a sponsored drive and he did not disaapoint. At the age of 21, he was runner-up in the Singapore National Karting Championship and finished third overall in the 1993 International Kart Prix.
, Lian qualified 5th on the grid and finished 5th in the race. Two years later, he became a full-time Formula 2000 racer and clinched 3rd overall in the series. In 2002, Lian became the overall champion of the 14 round series by winning three races and qualifying in pole position
twice, going on to break two lap records along the way. By doing this, he became the first ever Singaporean to win an international motorsports title. In 2003, Lian made his debut in endurance racing, driving for the factory TVR Asia Team, competing in the 12hr Merdeka Millennium Endurance Race and finishing 8th overall. A year after, he switched to the R3 Motorspots team and came in fourth overall at the same 12hr Merdeka Millennium Endurance Race
when he entered the Formula Palmer Audi
Euroseries halfway through the season. With no testing done in the series, Lian stunned the press by finishing in the top five at all the classic race venues. A year after, A1 Team Singapore
asked him to join them in their first-ever season in the A1 Grand Prix. In 2006 Lian also competed in the Formula V6 Asia by Renault as the only team owner and driver. He finished 5th overall in that series.
• Mid season participation in the 2005 Formula Palmer Audi Championship. 8th overall at Spa, 6th overall Monza and 5th overall Brands Hatch (1st Singaporean to compete in Europe).
• Works driver for Proton R3 Motorsports, 4th overall, 2004 Merdeka Millennium Endurance race.
• Works driver for TVR Malaysia, 8th overall, 2003 Merdeka Millennium Endurance race.
• 4th overall, 2002 Macau Grand Prix, Asian Formula 2000 Challenge.
• 2002 Asian Formula 2000 Champion. 3 wins, 2 pole-positions and 2 lap records (1st Singaporean to win an International Motorsports championship). Works driver for Lotus Cars Asia Pacific, 2002 Merdeka 12hr Endurance race.
• 3rd overall, 2001 Asian Formula 2000 Championship. Works driver for Lotus Cars Asia Pacific, 2002 Merdeka Millennium Endurance race (1st Singaporean to compete in the Merdeka Millennium Endurance race).
• 4th overall, 2000 Asian Formula 2000 Championship (round 2 spot entry). 2nd overall, 2000 Caltex Subaru Rally Challenge (2WD Class). 3rd overall, 2000 Singapore Tour de Rally (2WD Class)
• 5th overall, 1999 Asian Formula 2000 Championship (round 11 spot entry. Debut formula car race). 11th overall, 1999 Sepang F1 Grand Prix support race, Proton GTi Challenge.
• 1st overall, 1997 Melbourne Asian Car Race (Australia), driving a Group N Subaru WRX. 2 overall wins in the 1997 Australian Club Car Series, driving a Group N Subaru WRX.
• 2nd overall, 1993 Singapore National Karting Championship, scoring the most FTD’s. 3rd overall, 1993 CIK International Kart Prix (ICA).
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
an race car driver.
Denis Lian is Singapore's most successful professional racing driver. In 2002, he was crowned Asian Formula 2000 Champion, becoming the first Singaporean to win an international motorsports title. In 2003 & 2004, he drove for TVR Malaysia and Lotus Cars Asia Pacific respectively, in various endurance races. In 2005, he became the first Singaporean to compete in Europe when he raced in the Formula Palmer Audi Euro Series. In 2006, he established his own Formula V6 Asia race team to compete in the region's premier series, finishing 5th overall as driver and owner. Later that year, he was given the honor to represent Singapore in A1GP, the World Cup of Motorsports, racing for A1 Team Singapore in the first two rounds of the series. Denis was also the brand manager for Lotus Cars Singapore from 2004 to 2005 and currently races a Lotus in various international endurance events, like the 24h Dubai and 12h Sepang. In early 2010, Denis joined Wearnes Automotive as their Motorsports Manager.
Karting
Lian started karting at the age of 9 and continued to do so while he was studying in AustraliaAustralia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. When he got back to Singapore he was fortunate enough to be sponsored by the top kart racing team: Kartmaster. The owner, Roland Chong gave him an opportunity to prove himself with a sponsored drive and he did not disaapoint. At the age of 21, he was runner-up in the Singapore National Karting Championship and finished third overall in the 1993 International Kart Prix.
Karting to Formula 2000
Lian made his transition to racing cars in 1994 while competing in the Australian Club Racing series. Lian worked his way up the club ranks by winning every race he entered. Then in 1999 he was invited to join the Asian Formula 2000 Racing series. In his first race at Johor CircuitJohor Circuit
Johor Circuit is the only racing circuit in the state of Johor, Malaysia. Located in Pasir Gudang. The circuit was officially opened on 1986 by Sultan Iskandar of Johor ....
, Lian qualified 5th on the grid and finished 5th in the race. Two years later, he became a full-time Formula 2000 racer and clinched 3rd overall in the series. In 2002, Lian became the overall champion of the 14 round series by winning three races and qualifying in pole position
Pole position
The term "pole position", as used in motorsports, comes from the horse racing term where the number one starter starts on the inside next to the inside pole. The term made its way, along with several other customs, to auto racing. In circuit motorsports, a driver has pole position when he or she...
twice, going on to break two lap records along the way. By doing this, he became the first ever Singaporean to win an international motorsports title. In 2003, Lian made his debut in endurance racing, driving for the factory TVR Asia Team, competing in the 12hr Merdeka Millennium Endurance Race and finishing 8th overall. A year after, he switched to the R3 Motorspots team and came in fourth overall at the same 12hr Merdeka Millennium Endurance Race
From Asia to the world
In 2005, Lian became the first Singaporean to compete in EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
when he entered the Formula Palmer Audi
Formula Palmer Audi
Formula Palmer Audi, officially abbreviated to FPA, and sometimes informally abbreviated to Palmer Audi, was a one-make class of open wheel Formula racing founded in 1998 by former Formula One driver, Jonathan Palmer. It was based in the United Kingdom , and was organised and operated by MotorSport...
Euroseries halfway through the season. With no testing done in the series, Lian stunned the press by finishing in the top five at all the classic race venues. A year after, A1 Team Singapore
A1 Team Singapore
A1 Team Singapore is the A1 Grand Prix national team representing Singapore. Singapore took part in this competition for the first time in its history in October 2006. Christian Murchison, Denis Lian and Hafiz Koh were the original drivers for the team...
asked him to join them in their first-ever season in the A1 Grand Prix. In 2006 Lian also competed in the Formula V6 Asia by Renault as the only team owner and driver. He finished 5th overall in that series.
GT Racing
In 2008, Lian shifts his racing interest towards GT racing, driving for Empire Motorsports, competing in a Lotus 2 Eleven GT4 in various international endurance events like the 24hr Dubai and 12hr Merdeka Millennium EndurancePersonal life
Lian SCUBA dives and sails for pleasure. He also has a Private Pilots Licence (PPL) and does indulge in aerobatic flying occasionally.Achievements
• 5th overall, 2006 Formula V6 Asia Championship. Drove for A1GP Team Singapore at the 2006 Czech Republic Grand Prix, 17th overall (1st Singaporean Grand Prix driver).• Mid season participation in the 2005 Formula Palmer Audi Championship. 8th overall at Spa, 6th overall Monza and 5th overall Brands Hatch (1st Singaporean to compete in Europe).
• Works driver for Proton R3 Motorsports, 4th overall, 2004 Merdeka Millennium Endurance race.
• Works driver for TVR Malaysia, 8th overall, 2003 Merdeka Millennium Endurance race.
• 4th overall, 2002 Macau Grand Prix, Asian Formula 2000 Challenge.
• 2002 Asian Formula 2000 Champion. 3 wins, 2 pole-positions and 2 lap records (1st Singaporean to win an International Motorsports championship). Works driver for Lotus Cars Asia Pacific, 2002 Merdeka 12hr Endurance race.
• 3rd overall, 2001 Asian Formula 2000 Championship. Works driver for Lotus Cars Asia Pacific, 2002 Merdeka Millennium Endurance race (1st Singaporean to compete in the Merdeka Millennium Endurance race).
• 4th overall, 2000 Asian Formula 2000 Championship (round 2 spot entry). 2nd overall, 2000 Caltex Subaru Rally Challenge (2WD Class). 3rd overall, 2000 Singapore Tour de Rally (2WD Class)
• 5th overall, 1999 Asian Formula 2000 Championship (round 11 spot entry. Debut formula car race). 11th overall, 1999 Sepang F1 Grand Prix support race, Proton GTi Challenge.
• 1st overall, 1997 Melbourne Asian Car Race (Australia), driving a Group N Subaru WRX. 2 overall wins in the 1997 Australian Club Car Series, driving a Group N Subaru WRX.
• 2nd overall, 1993 Singapore National Karting Championship, scoring the most FTD’s. 3rd overall, 1993 CIK International Kart Prix (ICA).
Complete A1 Grand Prix results
(Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)| Year | Entrant | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–07 | Singapore A1 Team Singapore A1 Team Singapore is the A1 Grand Prix national team representing Singapore. Singapore took part in this competition for the first time in its history in October 2006. Christian Murchison, Denis Lian and Hafiz Koh were the original drivers for the team... |
NED SPR 2006-07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Netherlands The 2006–07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Netherlands was a A1 Grand Prix race, held on October 1, 2006 at the Circuit Park Zandvoort circuit in Zandvoort, Netherlands... PO |
NED FEA 2006-07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Netherlands The 2006–07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Netherlands was a A1 Grand Prix race, held on October 1, 2006 at the Circuit Park Zandvoort circuit in Zandvoort, Netherlands... PO |
CZE SPR 2006-07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Czech Republic The 2006–07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Czech Republic was an A1 Grand Prix race, held on October 8, 2006 at Masaryk Circuit near Brno, Czech Republic... 18 |
CZE FEA 2006-07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Czech Republic The 2006–07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Czech Republic was an A1 Grand Prix race, held on October 8, 2006 at Masaryk Circuit near Brno, Czech Republic... 19 |
CHN SPR 2006-07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Beijing, China The 2006-07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, China was an A1 Grand Prix race, held on November 12, 2006 at Beijing International Streetcircuit, Beijing, China. It was the third race in the 2006-07 A1 Grand Prix season and the first ever meeting held at the circuit.... |
CHN FEA 2006-07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Beijing, China The 2006-07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, China was an A1 Grand Prix race, held on November 12, 2006 at Beijing International Streetcircuit, Beijing, China. It was the third race in the 2006-07 A1 Grand Prix season and the first ever meeting held at the circuit.... |
MYS SPR 2006-07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Malaysia The 2006–07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Malaysia is an A1 Grand Prix race, to be held on November 26, 2006 at Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia... |
MYS FEA 2006-07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Malaysia The 2006–07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Malaysia is an A1 Grand Prix race, to be held on November 26, 2006 at Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia... |
IDN SPR 2006-07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Indonesia The 2006–07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Indonesia is an A1 Grand Prix race, to be held on December 10, 2006 at Sentul International Circuit, Indonesia... |
IDN FEA 2006-07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Indonesia The 2006–07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Indonesia is an A1 Grand Prix race, to be held on December 10, 2006 at Sentul International Circuit, Indonesia... |
NZL SPR 2006-07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, New Zealand The 2006–07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, New Zealand is an A1 Grand Prix race, held on January 21, 2007 at Taupo Motorsport Park, New Zealand. The sixth race in the 2006-07 A1 Grand Prix season and the first meeting held at the circuit.__FORCETOC__... |
NZL FEA 2006-07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, New Zealand The 2006–07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, New Zealand is an A1 Grand Prix race, held on January 21, 2007 at Taupo Motorsport Park, New Zealand. The sixth race in the 2006-07 A1 Grand Prix season and the first meeting held at the circuit.__FORCETOC__... |
AUS SPR 2006-07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Australia The 2006–07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Australia is an A1 Grand Prix race, to be held on 4 February 2007 at Eastern Creek Raceway, Australia. This was the seventh race in the 2006-07 A1 Grand Prix season and the second meeting held at the circuit.__FORCETOC__... |
AUS FEA 2006-07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Australia The 2006–07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Australia is an A1 Grand Prix race, to be held on 4 February 2007 at Eastern Creek Raceway, Australia. This was the seventh race in the 2006-07 A1 Grand Prix season and the second meeting held at the circuit.__FORCETOC__... |
RSA SPR 2006-07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, South Africa The 2006–07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, South Africa is an A1 Grand Prix race, held on 25 February 2007 at Durban street circuit, South Africa... |
RSA FEA 2006-07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, South Africa The 2006–07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, South Africa is an A1 Grand Prix race, held on 25 February 2007 at Durban street circuit, South Africa... |
MEX SPR 2006-07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Mexico The 2006–07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Mexico is an A1 Grand Prix race, held on March 25, 2007 at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Mexico. This was the ninth race in the 2006-07 A1 Grand Prix season and the first meeting held at the circuit.__FORCETOC__... |
MEX FEA 2006-07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Mexico The 2006–07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Mexico is an A1 Grand Prix race, held on March 25, 2007 at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Mexico. This was the ninth race in the 2006-07 A1 Grand Prix season and the first meeting held at the circuit.__FORCETOC__... |
CHN SPR 2006-07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Shanghai, China The 2006–07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Shanghai, China is an A1 Grand Prix race, held on April 15, 2007 at the Shanghai International Circuit, China... |
CHN FEA 2006-07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Shanghai, China The 2006–07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Shanghai, China is an A1 Grand Prix race, held on April 15, 2007 at the Shanghai International Circuit, China... |
GBR SPR 2006-07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Great Britain The 2006–07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Great Britain was an A1 Grand Prix race, held on 29 April 2007 at Brands Hatch, Great Britain. This was the eleventh and final race in the 2006-07 A1 Grand Prix season and the second meeting held at the circuit.... |
GBR SPR 2006-07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Great Britain The 2006–07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Great Britain was an A1 Grand Prix race, held on 29 April 2007 at Brands Hatch, Great Britain. This was the eleventh and final race in the 2006-07 A1 Grand Prix season and the second meeting held at the circuit.... |
20th | 3 |