THREE-FOR-THREE IN MUGELLO? ST RACING GEARING UP FOR LATEST ROUND OF THE 24H SERIES

Thus far, 2021 has been kind to ST Racing in the 24H SERIES. Back in January, the Canadian team began its season with GT4-class pole position at the Hankook 24H DUBAI and dutifully carried that momentum into the race. By the four-hour mark, the #438 BMW M4 GT4 was already a full lap ahead, and was never led thereafter en-route to a commanding class win.

The result marked ST Racing’s maiden series victory in only its third 24H SERIES outing, besting the 3rd in-class the Canadian team picked up at the Circuit of the Americas in 2019. The win also closed the book on a luckless run at the rain-shortened run in Dubai in 2020, at which ST Racing was classified only 7th in-class despite being in podium contention early on.  

One week later in Abu Dhabi, ST Racing was again in fighting form, ending qualifying for the 2021 Hankook 6H ABU DHABI fastest of the TG division runners. Unanticipated delays during re-fueling meant Samantha Tan and Jon Miller had it all to do around the 5.554km Yas Marina Circuit in the closing stages, but steadily improved laptimes for both the Ontario-native and her American teammate, plus the metronomic reliability of the BMW M4 GT4 and some well-placed good fortune, meant ST Racing ultimately added victory in Abu Dhabi to its Dubai triumph.

Driver, Samantha Tan: “It is no easy feat to win a 24-hour race. Coming back to Dubai with the leftover determination to win from the previous canceled event, we gave it our all. Everyone on the team worked so hard. Jon, Chandler [Hull], Nick [Wittmer], and I ran strong, consistent laps, and with our incredible pit stop strategy, we won the GT4-class with a three-lap lead. To represent Canada and become the first Asian woman to score a win at the Hankook 24H DUBAI was surreal, but it proved that all the time, dedication, and training I’ve done has paid off. I’m also very proud to have accomplished this with my team. They’ve been with me since the beginning and it makes me very happy to give them this win. I have absolute faith in ST Racing and our ability to perform well in the 24H SERIES.”

Driver, Chandler Hull: “Winning a major 24-hour race does wonders for the confidence of the whole team. As drivers, we are often given sole credit for a win, but it really is the team behind the scenes that allows us to deliver these results, and ST Racing is a very professional operation that understands the true potential of the BMW M4 GT4 platform exceptionally well. This makes our jobs as drivers much easier knowing that the car will perform at its peak for the entire race duration. From a more personal standpoint, winning in Dubai was a great confidence boost and also jumpstarted that burning desire for results that will last the entirety of the season.”

Driver, Jon Miller: “To come back one year on from the rain-soaked 2020 Dubai race and finish the job was hugely rewarding. To follow that up with another win in Abu Dhabi was an incredible achievement for ST Racing ,and is a testament to the process and growth of the whole squad. Samantha had her feet to the flames during the final stint, and she handled it like the pro she is. We tend to think of ourselves as the underdogs and I think that's a healthy mentality from a competitive standpoint. But with two wins already under our belt, I don't think any of the other teams consider us underdogs anymore!”

After its successful Middle East sojourn, ST Racing is now two-for-two in the 24 SERIES in 2021 heading into its first-ever endurance event in Europe. Even more impressively, the Canadian-based outfit has finished on the class podium at three of the four 24H SERIES events it has started. A daunting record to uphold heading into this weekend’s Hankook 12H MUGELLO, but a challenge that Samantha, Chandler and Jon are relishing all the same.

Driver, Samantha Tan: “It is very exciting for us to be competing in our first ever European race. There will certainly be more European teams and drivers at this event in comparison to the UAE races, and that will potentially make things more difficult for us as so many of them will be very familiar with Mugello. This will be my first time at the track but I’m ecstatic to learn all of its fast, sweeping corners and hopefully we can carry the momentum to another win.”

Driver, Chandler Hull: “After missing the Abu Dhabi round, I’m super excited to get back on-track with ST Racing at the Hankook 12H MUGELLO. The circuit looks awesome and I can’t wait to get strapped in and start turning some laps. The 24H SERIES has done a great job making sure all precautions are taken so we’re able to be at the track and race this year. With such a great team we’re hoping to carry the successes we’ve had so far into Mugello as well!”

Driver, Jon Miller: “Mugello is a fantastic track, my favorite in Italy and one of my favorites in Europe. It’s fast, there’s a great rhythm and there are no track limit questions to worry about. It's very old school. I was coaching there two years ago for the Ferrari Challenge Finali Mondiali races, and I'm looking forward to getting back there in our BMW to race for another win. Having two victories already this season doesn't change our approach to Mugello though. The pressure and desire to win are always the same for me and so is the process for an endurance race: be patient, take care of the car, and be within striking distance as the clock winds down.”

A tourist trap of the Scarperia e San Piero municipality in Tuscany, the Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello is a rolling 5.245km river of asphalt that undulates through the valley in which was built. In an additional bonus for ST Racing, the Hankook 12H MUGELLO has proven a successful hunting ground for BMW, the Bavarian brand’s M-performance division having picked up at least one class win at every edition held since 2014. The M4 GT4 is also unbeaten in the series’ GT4 class at Mugello, a hallmark of the BMW’s phenomenal balance and intuitive handling through the technical infield, and raw power of the 3-litre TwinPower turbo six-cylinder down Mugello’s kilometer-long main straight.

Live coverage of the Hankook 12H MUGELLO, complete with commentary from radiolemans.com, will be available on the official 24H SERIES YouTube channel from 9am to 1pm EST on Friday 26th March, and again from 5am to 1pm on Saturday 27th March.