Singapore, 16 September 2024 – Singaporean sim racing enthusiast, Chua Xing Han, has clinched the top spot locally in the highly competitive Bridgestone Rivals racing simulator competition. The "Race to the Top" event, jointly presented by Bridgestone and Forza Motorsport, attracted over 34,000 participants around the globe.
Held exclusively as a time attack event, the competition challenged drivers to navigate a Lamborghini Huracán STO around the fictional Hakone Grand Prix—a track inspired by Japan’s iconic Lake Ashi.
Figure 1: (From Left) Dennis Lee, Head of Sales, Bridgestone Tyre Sales Singapore Pte Ltd; Chua Xing Han, Winner of Bridgestone Rivals: Race to the Top; Lennard Kwek, Head of Brand Marketing & Communications, Bridgestone Asia Pacific Pte Ltd.
Chua Xing Han’s exceptional performance earned him the fastest lap time of 1:18:46, securing his victory among all Singaporean participants and placing him #27 globally. As recognition for his achievement, Chua was awarded a Lamborghini Edition SecretLab chair and exclusive Bridgestone merchandise.
At a special prize-giving ceremony held at the Lamborghini Singapore showroom, Chua was given the opportunity to enjoy a thrilling experiential ride in the brand’s latest flagship model, the Lamborghini Revuelto. This cutting-edge V12 hybrid supercar, equipped with Bridgestone POTENZA Sport tyres, allowed Chua to experience first-hand the remarkable performance and agility of a real Lamborghini—an unforgettable reward that contrasted his virtual race triumph.
Reflecting on the competition, Xing Han shared, "This competition was exceptionally interesting as drivers had access to each other's timings and data, which allowed me to keep pushing myself to do better. It was a unique challenge that required constant adaptation and a deep understanding of both the car's dynamics and the track's intricacies."
An avid sim racer with over seven years of experience, Xing Han is no stranger to the competitive world of virtual motorsports. "Having a chance to hear an actual Lamborghini was certainly different from hearing it via headphones during my race attempts," he said, smiling. "This prize-giving ceremony was unlike any I've ever experienced. The thrill of sitting in a Lamborghini, hearing its engine roar in real life—it was an incredible reward that added another dimension to my journey as a sim racer."
"Bridgestone is proud to be collaborating with Microsoft's Forza Motorsports in this competition, and we are even more proud that one of the fastest timings have come from Singapore. Xing Han raced, and made it to the top! His impressive lap time was among some of the fastest in Asia Pacific." Said Lennard Kwek, Head of Marketing & Communications at Bridgestone China, India & Asia Pacific.
As virtual racing continues to gain recognition worldwide, Chua Xing Han’s achievement marks a significant moment in the evolution of esports and motorsports in Singapore. His victory exemplifies the skill, dedication, and passion that define this rapidly growing sport.
