Denis Lian

rdf:langString Denis Lian

rdf:langString Denis Lian (traditional Chinese: 練建勝) (born 8 March 1972) is a Singaporean 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 2005, he went on to become 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 regions then premier series, finishing 5th overall as driver and team owner. Later that year, he was given the honor to represent Singapore in A1GP, the World Cup of Motorsports. He raced for A1 Team Singapore in the 2006/2007 season with a best place finish of 18th overall. Denis also had a successful career in the automotive industry, initially as brand manager for Lotus Cars Singapore from 2004 to 2005 and subsequently as brand manager for McLaren Singapore from 2011 to 2013. In 2015, he was appointed CEO of Johor Motorsports, the company tasked with redeveloping the iconic Johor Circuit in Malaysia. Denis currently competes in various international endurance events, like the 24h Dubai, 12h Gulf and 12h Sepang. In 2014, he competed in the Asian Le Mans Series for the first time and eventually finished runner up in the drivers championship (CN category). In 2015, he went one better and clinched the Asian Le Mans Series Drivers Champion title (CN category) once again becoming the first Singaporean to do so.