Denis Lian

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.

Denis started karting at the age of 9 and continued to do so while he was studying in Australia. When he got back to Singapore he was fortunate enough to be sponsored by the premier kart racing team: Kartmaster. It was a golden opportunity to prove himself and he did not disaapoint, placing on the podium at every single race entered. By the age of 21, he was runner-up in the Singapore National Karting Championship and had finished third overall in the 1993 International Kart Prix.

Denis made his transition to car racing in 1994 while competing in the Australian Club Racing series. He quickly worked his way up the club ranks by winning every race he entered. Then in 1999 he was invited by the series organizer to join the Asian Formula 2000 Championship. In his first race at Johor Circuit, Denis 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, he 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, Denis established himself as the first Singaporean to win an international motorsports title.

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