Laurens Vanthoor and Darryl O’Young have been confirmed to represent Craft-Bamboo Racing for the FIA GT World Cup in Macau. The pair will pilot the team’s two Porsche 911 GT3 Rs in search of victory against the world’s best GT drivers and manufacturers from the 16th to 19th of November. With Craft-Bamboo Racing entering two former Macau GT Cup winners and Vanthoor being the 2016 reigning champion, the team’s intent is to fiercely challenge for the win come race day.
Vanthoor is a Porsche factory driver with plenty of experience behind the wheel of the 911 GT3 R, running in a variety of sprint and endurance events throughout 2017. Vanthoor also contested the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship in the GTLM category with the Porsche 911 RSR, taking pole position and three podiums during his debut season. Vanthoor is also an expert at the notorious Macau Guia Circuit, having been the youngest driver to have competed in the Macau F3 Grand Prix. He is also known for controversially scoring the win in the FIA GT World Cup in 2016 after a spectacular crash saw him hurtle through the air before finishing the race upside down. With the Belgian driver’s expertise behind the wheel of the Porsche and his record of success at the grueling 6.2km Guia circuit, Vanthoor is the perfect addition to Craft-Bamboo’s FIA GT World Cup lineup and the #911 Porsche 911 GT3 R.
O’Young is no stranger to Macau either, becoming the first driver to take victory in the Macau GT Cup back in 2008. The Hong Kong driver scored a further two additional wins in Macau in the Porsche Carrera Cup in 2005 and 2007, while also competing from 2010 to 2013 in the FIA WTCC. O’Young’s extensive experience at the Macau circuit has cemented him as one of the strongest competitors and he will compete at the famous street circuit for the 14th consecutive year in November. Running in the inaugural Blancpain GT Series Asia season in 2017, O’Young drove the Porsche 911 GT3 R to victory in Shanghai, giving both Porsche and Craft-Bamboo Racing their first win in the famed GT competition. Thanks to the team’s continued development of the Porsche over the past two seasons, O’Young heads into Macau with the experience and confidence to push the #991 Porsche 911 GT3 R to its limits in search of FIA GT World Cup glory.
Quotes
Richard Coleman, CEO of Craft-Bamboo Racing
“I’m delighted to have such a strong line up with Darryl and Laurens, two past winners are very exciting at a circuit that rewards experience. We have a race against time after damaging a chassis in the last round of the Blancpain GT Series Asia, but we look forward to getting to the event and challenging for the win.”
Darryl O’Young, #991 Craft-Bamboo Racing Porsche sponsored by VLT
“Macau is my home race and I’m extremely motivated for the event. The Macau FIA GT World Cup has had fierce competition over the past few years and it’s critical to put together a perfect weekend to have a chance at victory. Craft-Bamboo Racing has come a long way over the past year with the Porsche 911 GT3 R and I feel very comfortable heading into this year’s race. We will give it everything come November.”
Laurens Vanthoor, #911 Craft-Bamboo Racing Porsche
“Macau is always one of the highlights of my season. I love the place, the track, the event, and the city. It will be a challenge this year in a different car and with a new team but I’m looking forward to it. Last year I was in the Audi fighting the Porsches, this year it will be the other way around. It will be very interesting!”
