Tara Shapowal-Lau
Tara Shapowal-Lau is making a name for herself in the world of Porsche motorsports!
Tara Shapowal-Lau
I started racing in 2015 and worked my way up to become a two-time national champion autocrosser. In 2017, I became the first female to win the GGR autocross PAX championship and I also have many regional event trophies from multiple clubs. Autocross has taught me so much about driving; I love competing and can’t imagine my life without it!
Everyone can benefit from autocross and I’m always trying to think of ways to make the sport more appealing and encouraging. I advocate for more women in racing and joined the boards for PCA Zone 7 and SCCA Women on Track. I also enjoy course design, instructing, and meeting new people at events. If you're thinking about joining, I'd love to see you there!
How did you get into Porsche?
My husband, Steve Lau, introduced me to the world of Porsche. My first ride in a Porsche was on our second date: he picked me up in his Cayman S with a dozen red roses!
As for racing, I’ve always enjoyed cars, mostly Audis and Volkswagens, and was introduced to car culture at a young age by my family, growing up in Pennsylvania with tractors, cars, boats, and helicopters. I was always encouraged to try new things, push limits, go faster, and understand mechanics.
I constantly desire speed and was thrilled when Steve took me to an autocross. My first run as a passenger made me feel like a rag doll! I was tossed about the seat and looked over at Steve, who was in total control of the car. It blew my mind someone could be so out of control, yet in control! From that moment on, I told Steve: “teach me everything you know about racing!” We then become a Porsche racing couple, participating in 20+ events each year.
Why do you drive? What motivates you? Do you have any goals?
Currently, we campaign two Porsches: a 2011 GT3 RS and a custom-built Cayman racecar. The cars are completely different so it’s been interesting switching between them. I feel driving different cars forces you to hone your skills because you can’t rely on default habits or being comfortable.
My motivation comes from a desire to be the best - every racer feels this! Each time I get in the car, I want to win. That’s why I love autocross: because it’s so precise and competitive. When fighting for a time within a couple of thousandths of a second over your competitors, you have to be perfect (and fast!). Plus, at a national level, you only get 3 runs.
If I were to choose a goal for the next few years, I want to win SCCA Nationals in open class. I also want to continue becoming a faster, smoother driver with more consistent times in the first 3 laps.
Are you currently working on a car project?
Yes, Steve and I built a one-of-a-kind racecar using a 2010 Cayman body. He always had the idea to build a one-off racecar and it’s been an engineering challenge to make things perfect. He spent 3 years developing this car by himself, re-engineering every piece, customizing parts, and constantly tuning.
While he orchestrated the project, I played the role of shop manager and we spent many all-nighters working in the garage. She’s a unique car that fits both our racing personalities and driving styles: her name is Stormy!
What is your dream Porsche and why?
My dream Porsche is my racecar Stormy. She's so fun and challenging to drive that I feel I can never master events with her. We built her exactly how we wanted so not only is she fun, but she also means so much to me!
If my own car wasn't an option, then I'd get a 959. My dad was the person on the east coast who got the 959s into the USA. It would be cool to own one of the cars he managed!
What has been your favorite drive so far?
Instead of sharing a favorite drive, I wanted to share my favorite location: Crow’s Landing, a site about 90 miles from the Bay Area. I’ve raced at many locations around the country and Crow’s Landing is the best site! It’s a 6,000-foot runway you can race on and enjoy your whole weekend. If you haven't been here, GGR is hosting several events there in 2023.
Any Porsche stories you want to share?
I have so many funny stories and ah-ha moments, but a proud memory that sticks out to me happened in 2018. I was doing a ProSolo with SCCA in our GT3 RS (on Hoosiers). If you aren't familiar with the ProSolo format, think of an autocross course that begins with a drag race. You line up next to your competitor, wait for the tree to go 'yellow, yellow, yellow, green' and you launch the car. You then enter the autocross course at the end of the straight - it's a huge rush! This is repeated on the left and right sides with both times added together. It's a 3-circuit, 2-day event; the fastest time wins.
I was sitting in 4th place after circuit 2, far behind the lead driver so I was trying not to feel discouraged and just stay focused. We started the last circuit on day 2 and I remember believing in myself but fighting with the reality that I might not go home with a trophy. The circuit starts (you get 2 left and 2 right runs = 4 in each circuit). I start on the right and hit a cone, then the left and drop a marginal amount of time. I did my last right side and dropped two-tenths, but it's nowhere near enough. Finally, on my last left side, I pulled things together and dropped 1.3 seconds! I won, but at this point, I had no idea since I was so far behind. As I'm driving back to the grid, the announcer started going crazy, Steve was jumping around, and everyone was clapping. I had so much adrenaline from launching the car and knowing my previous times hadn't been enough that it took me a minute to figure out what happened: I beat the now-2nd-place driver by .057 seconds! (Fun fact: the average human blink lasts a tenth of a second.)
Do you have any tips for those looking to get into driving or car events?
The two hardest parts of getting into racing or social events: First, actually signing up. You need to take the leap and get yourself on the registration list. I can 100% relate to how intimidating or time-consuming it might feel, but it's worth it! Your first event will be a whirlwind, but you'll learn so much and meet wonderful people. Second, getting up early! Maybe it's just me, but the last thing I want to do on a weekend is get up early, especially if I've never done an event. Once you get yourself going and get to the venue, you'll have a fantastic day, I promise!
With autocross specifically, a helpful tip is to focus on three improvements each race. When starting, you'll get frustrated because you're trying to figure everything out: where to drive, how to sit, what position to put your hands, etc. There's so much going on that you'll feel overwhelmed. Instead, choose three things for each event. For example, your first couple events should focus on learning the course, keeping your hands on the steering wheel, and looking ahead. That's it! Your next event could be playing with tire pressures or getting closer to cones. For me personally, I choose 1-3 things then I slowly chip away at bad habits / improving skills.
What would you like to see the GGR club do?
GGR is an incredible club with smart, kind, and competitive members! It’s been fantastic to be part of the PCA Zone 7 initiatives to encourage more women to participate in autocross events. Small improvements such as providing lunch, novice driving laps, and instructor partners greatly impact the race day's quality. I’m excited about the 2023 season!
How many Porsches do you own?
Steve and I own 5 Porsches: a 2011 GT3 RS, a Cayman racecar, a 2003 GT2, a 2006 Cayman S with a swapped 3.8L, and a 1994 3.6 Turbo. Each Porsche has its own personality and we spend time working on, driving, and enjoying them together!
Member of car clubs other than GGR?
We race with GGR, but also the American Auto-X Series and SCCA. Each year, we also participate in several SCCA National Championship Tours and ProSolos, SCCA San Francisco Region (SFR) local events, and the SCCA Solo Nationals in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Can people reach out to you for driving tips if they're in your area?
Absolutely! If you have questions, reach out to me on Instagram. I’d love to chat!
Any future driving or event plans?
I eat, sleep, and breathe Porsche / racing. Our house is full of photos, trophies, posters, and car parts (tastefully arranged, of course). I plan to race as much as possible this year, but also attend some of the GGR-hosted social drives. Almost every weekend is booked with various events!
When you are done with a long driving event and get to dinner, what do you order?
In general, I like to eat organic, high-protein meals, but I've also been known to dive into some delicious pizza or mac n cheese. Fun fact: After GGR autocross events, there's always a group of us going to a local restaurant. It's such a fun time and I love socializing with everyone!
