Samantha Tan made a successful start to her maiden VP Racing SportsCar Challenge campaign, with back-to-back class podiums on the series’ opening weekend at Daytona. On her first run as part of an official IMSA program and her first visit to the esteemed Daytona International Speedway, the team co-owner took ST Racing’s BMW M4 GT3 to a pair of 2nd-place finishes in the GTDX ‘Bronze’ class across both 45-minute races.
Two podiums and front-running pace marked an encouraging start to Samantha’s first full-season solo campaign since contesting the Pirelli World Challenge in 2017.
“I’ve completed my IMSA debut weekend with two P2 finishes in the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge,” said team co-owner/driver Samantha Tan. “It was my first time racing at the iconic Daytona International Speedway in the M4 GT3 — definitely a pinch-me moment. Despite not having any winter testing, we maximized the two short practice sessions on Friday and showed strong pace right from the first session. Qualifying was challenging due to rain beforehand, which led to tricky track conditions, but I managed to secure pole position for both races and P3 overall in GTDx.
“Race 1 was action-packed, with plenty of close battles, and although I narrowly missed out on the win, it was super fun,” she continued. “In Race 2, a torrential downpour just before the start left the track fully wet. Having never driven Daytona in the rain, it was a challenging learning experience, but I still managed to bring the car home in second-place. I believe with one more lap, I could have fought for the win.
“Overall, it was a very successful and promising weekend in VPRC. I’m looking forward to the next event at COTA — one of my favourite tracks on the calendar!”
Head engineer Eike Romer discussed the crew side of the weekend.
“With plenty of new challenges, ST Racing started the 2025 IMSA VP Racing Challenge,” said Romer. “The team started spot-on out of the box, tackling a new competition format, new tire compound and a new track for us. The mechanics worked flawlessly all week long to provide us a fast car in all conditions.
“After limited time in practice, Sam quickly adapted to the challenge of a new, unheated tire and was able to put the car on Pole Position in her class for both races,” continued Romer. “She showed great pace and racecraft on Saturday, achieving a second-place finish.
“After a storm on Sunday morning, we made the right decisions to prepare once more a car in which Sam was able to fight for the win on wet track conditions, gaining valuable data and learning for the upcoming events. Next up is COTA, where we have good memories from last year.”
Race One
After an impressive qualifying session earlier, during which she posted the third-fastest lap time in the GTDX field, Samantha lined up on pole for race one on Saturday morning. Despite having briefly dropped to fourth, the newly-re-liveried BMW M4 GT3 was soon back up to third and harrying the GTDX leaders.
A little under 25 minutes in, the GTDX field was already into GSX-class traffic (nothing new to the experienced multi-class racer and overall endurance racing drivers’ champion, Samantha), and the ST Racing BMW had soon closed to within 0.3 seconds of her nearest rival, AF Corse. While a combative move for second did not quite pan out, Samantha remained glued to the rear of the Ferrari 296 GT3 for the remainder of the event.
In a notable moment, and after positioning the car perfectly for a slingshot move out of turn six, BMW M Motorsport ambassador Samantha went side-by-side with the AF Corse Ferrari along Daytona’s famous oval at upwards of 250kph, eventually sliding through at the bus stop chicane to move up a spot. Giving her rival room on the approach to turn one, the subsequent loss of momentum into the turn three horseshoe meant Samantha was sadly jostled back behind her rivals.
Nevertheless, in an impressive opening run, the Canadian driver gave chase all the way to the checkered flag, eventually securing fifth in GTDX and falling just two-tenths shy of Bronze class victory in the first time out of the IMSA blocks.
Race Two
Heavy rain threatened the second 45-minute race of the weekend at Daytona, but after a short delay, the 32-car grid eventually lined up for a very wet start on Sunday morning.
Fittingly, Samantha’s endurance racing experience in Europe quickly paid off, with the No. 38 BMW picking its way through a sodden turn one to hold fourth in GTDX across the opening lap. Gaining confidence in the changeable conditions, Samantha resumed her battle from the previous day with the AF Corse Ferrari, the pair continuing to swap third-place until a full-course caution was called just 15 minutes in. When the race resumed six minutes later, Samantha leapfrogged the Ferrari once again to retake third in GTDX.
Regrettably, a full-wet setup meant the BMW was unable to keep pace with the Ferraris as the track continued drying over the remaining 20 minutes. A fighting drive however meant that Samantha nevertheless brought the M4 GT3 home unscathed in P2 for a second consecutive ‘Bronze’ class podium to sign off a strong opening weekend at Daytona.
ST Racing’s VP SportsCar Challenge season continues in just over a month, with round two at Circuit of the Americas (traditionally a successful hunting ground for ST Racing) on February 28 – March 1. After a short break, round three takes the Canadian team to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on June 6-8.
- By ST Racing/Service de Presse
