A multiple 24H Series title winning driver; a team co-owner that brought the new BMW M4 GT3 to its first global success; a rising star in the world of GT3 racing on both sides of the Atlantic: Samantha Tan is the inspiring new BMW M Motorsport Ambassador.
Over the last few years, Samantha Tan has become one of the leading figures for women in motorsport, with a quick rise up the ranks of sports car racing in both North America and overseas.
The young Canadian has worked tirelessly on her ST Racing program, effectively building a championship winning team from scratch and expanding her efforts across continents, from touring cars up to GT3 racing, as she learnt and progressed herself as a racing driver.
Tan is a undoubtedly an inspiring figure for the many women that are increasingly getting involved in the sport – for whom she is a passionate advocate.
An intelligent and eloquent young woman – who aims one day of becoming the first Asian woman to win at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans – the 25-year-old has been able to enter some of the world's top GT competitions as a BMW customer team – her ST Racing that is now tackling multiple elite series on the SRO platform.
Having shown the peculiar values of the German brand, Samantha Tan has been announced as the new BMW M Motorsport Ambassador, which she will represent on-and-off the track with her sparkling character, positive attitude and fighting spirit.
“I simply do not have the words to describe how excited I am and how much this means to me.” – Samantha said. “As a lifelong fan of BMW, becoming an official brand ambassador for BMW M Motorsport is an absolute dream come true."
"To now have the opportunity to represent BMW, share my passion, and connect with BMW enthusiasts all over the world is incredible", she continued. "I cannot wait to see where this extraordinary journey takes me.”
Tan has launched her 2023 GT World Challenge America's season last weekend in Sonoma, California, claiming a fifth place in the ProAm class alongside BMW works driver John Edwards.
Samantha made her international debut in 2021, having previously raced in North America, achieving success on the SRO platform since 2017, when she entered Pirelli World Challenge in the TC class. From 2018 to 2020, the Canadian driver and her team competed in the GT4 America West and SprintX – also finishing runner up in 2019, and entered selected races in TC America. From the MINI Cooper S JCW in the Canadian Touring Car Championship, Tan progressed to the BMW M235iR and then the BMW M4 GT4, which proved to be a perfect fit for Samantha's driving style.
In her first international season, Tan claimed six titles in the CREVENTIC 24H Series, securing among the others GT4 class and overall championships and becoming the first Asian woman to win a major endurance championship. One year later, she debuted in GT3 and brought the brand new BMW M4 GT3 to a first worldwide victory at the 12H of Mugello, at only her second race in GT3.
While bad luck and logistical challenges hampered her rookie season in GT World Challenge America in 2022, she made her first start at the world's top GT3 race: the 24 Hours of Spa, claimimng a top ten in the Silver class.
But alongside her racing activities, BMW was always part of Samantha's daily life, having driven her BMW 1 M since her first driving lesson.
In addition to her busy racing schedules, Tan will now make appearances at BMW events in North America and Europe.
“BMW is delighted to welcome Samantha Tan as a BMW M Motorsport Brand Ambassador", said Dan Lubin, BMW North America Motorsport Manager. "ST Racing has been an important BMW team in both North America and globally, and I am sure she will increase her influence as a BMW M Motorsport Ambassador.”
