Power couple 'married' full-time to S'pore Grand Prix

Power couple 'married' full-time to S'pore Grand Prix

SINGAPORE - He worked in corporate communications for a decade while she is an engineer by training.

But, together, Gabriel and Janette Tan make for the power couple of operations at the Formula One SingTel Singapore Grand Prix.

"We're like a tag team," said Gabriel who, later this week, will take his place as clerk of the course for a fifth straight year.

As the most senior local race official, the 45-year-old will work closely with Charlie Whiting of the International Automobile Federation to keep the sport's only full night race running smoothly.

As race director, Whiting has overriding authority on the start and suspension of the race, as well as the deployment of the safety car.

All other responsibilities, such as the coordinating of marshals to clear the track of debris and ensuring that the race adheres to the two-hour time limit, fall under Gabriel's purview.

Janette is one of the four assistant clerks of the course and deals with trackside matters such as the ordering of equipment as well as the training, allocation and welfare of marshals.

"It may sound simple but there are 1,100 of them," the 34-year-old said.

The couple, who tied the knot in June 2011, were speaking to The Sunday Times in a quiet and peaceful Singapore Grand Prix race control room.

A week to race day, the air-conditioned space represented a stark contrast to the rest of the Marina Bay Street Circuit, with its 47 television screens showing construction work at various sectors.

All of that will change by the time the first car takes to the track on Friday.

"It's a high-pressure environment," Gabriel said. "Even in my fifth year as clerk of the course, it still gets to me."

Most of the work has, however, become second nature to him. Like Janette, he has been involved in the Singapore race since its inaugural edition in 2008.

Being surrounded by cars zooming by at 300kmh was not what brought the Tans together, though.

Instead, it was the somewhat more humble Mazda2 which lit the spark back in 2005.

"A lot of people think that we met at the grand prix but we actually met online, on the Mazda Club forum," recalled Gabriel who has two daughters from a previous marriage - Alexis, 18, and Alethea, 15.

"As motor sports nuts, we would volunteer at carpark rallies, and when the opportunity to work with the F1 race presented itself, it was a no-brainer."

The five years since have done little to quell that passion.

"We live, eat and breathe motor sports," Gabriel stressed. "At times, we even talk about work while we're having breakfast."

Said Janette: "Sometimes, I wake up before him, check my e-mail and start telling him about something that happened.

"On days like these, he will turn to me and say, 'At least let me brush my teeth first'."

There is a sense of affection with which this tale is shared, between a pair whose similarities extend beyond a love for motor sports to their taste in music and food.

In fact, it is only a discussion on film choices that they disagree on.

"She likes movies like Twilight," Gabriel said with a laugh.

"No!" Janette, a self-professed tomboy, protested.

One thing they do agree on, however, is that both have made sacrifices to become the only two full-time race officials on the books of race organiser Singapore GP.

It began with quitting their previous jobs - Gabriel handled media relations and corporate marketing for the Land Transport Authority while Janette was a sales engineer in the semiconductor industry.

Not even their relationship has been spared - the weekend following their nuptials, the newlyweds were in Darwin on a training trip.

"We essentially spent our honeymoon with 30 other senior officials," quipped Janette who, together with Gabriel, travels for work about eight times each year, including five overseas races.

Indeed, they have found out how hard it is to keep their work and personal lives separate.

And it has become even tougher this year, with Alexis helping out with the communications team from Singapore GP.

"The younger one is a bit jealous because she cannot help out," revealed Janette.

That said, Alethea will not be stuck at home alone for much longer.

In about six months, she will have a new baby brother or sister to keep her company.

This means that Janette will not be spending as much time trackside as she has done in previous years.

However, Gabriel has come up with a plan for his wife, who gets anxious every time a marshal is sent on to the track.

"We're going to lock her up in one of the rooms," he said.

"And switch the television to Channel U or something."

fabiusc@sph.com.sg


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