Craft-Bamboo Racing is proud to announce that Mathias Beche and James Winslow will complete the team’s FRD LMP3 Series lineup, with the pair set to pilot the #95 Ligier JS P3 in pursuit of the inaugural drivers’ championship title. Swiss driver, Beche, has an extensive background in LMP1, LMP2 and CN categories in both Europe and Asia. His teammate, Winslow, is also a strong international driver, racing in the UK, Australia and Asia, competing in everything from open-wheel, GT, and prototype disciplines. Together, the duo is one of the most qualified LMP pairings on the grid and will join Craft-Bamboo’s previously announced sister car, the #20 Ligier of Alex Tagliani and Greg Taylor, in the hunt for both championship titles.
Mathias Beche is a seasoned racer who rose through the ranks of Asia Formula Renault before moving to prototypes in 2009 where he would take 3rd overall in his debut Formula Le Mans season. After several prototype tests in LMP1 and LMP2 in 2010, Beche went on to score 2nd in the LMP2 class and eighth overall at the famous 24-hour race in 2012, before also claiming the European Le Mans Series drivers’ title. In 2014, Beche helped Craft-Bamboo Racing to win the Asian Le Mans Series title in the CN category before becoming an LMP1 test driver for the Toyota factory team in 2015. After finishing 2nd overall in the ELMS LMP2 class in 2016, Beche is ready to put his extensive prototype experience to the test in the FRD LMP3 Series. Beche now returns to Craft-Bamboo, and thanks to his record of success behind the wheel, the #95 Ligier is in with a strong chance of victory.
James Winslow got his start in British open-wheel racing before finding success in both Asia and Australia. Stints in several single seater series would further prove Winslow’s speed and ability, before he moved on to competing in GT3 class machinery. With experience in open-wheel and GT disciplines, Winslow progressed to prototype racing in 2013 with the Asian Le Mans Series. Winslow is no stranger to endurance racing either, competing in the Gulf 12 Hours, Bathurst 12 Hour and 12 Hours of Sepang, as well as the infamous 24 Hours of Le Mans. Over the past few years Winslow has contested a multitude of prototype events and championships, and thanks to his accomplishments in the ELMS and ALMS in both LMP2 and LMP3 classes, he is the perfect fit for the #95 Ligier JS P3.
FRD LMP3 Calendar
June 30th – July 2nd – Zhejiang International Circuit
July 28th – 30th – Shanghai International Circuit
August 25th – 27th – Shanghai International Circuit
September 15th – 17th – Zhuhai International Circuit
Quotes
Richard Coleman, CEO of Craft-Bamboo Racing
“It is great to have Mathias Beche and James Winslow join Craft-Bamboo Racing for the 2017 FRD LMP3 Series season. The pair are hugely experienced throughout numerous forms of racing and bring good experience in the prototype category. I am confident that the #95 Liger JS P3 will not only be a podium contender but will be fighting for the win from the first race of the season.”
Mathias Beche, #95 Driver
“I’m really pleased to race a full season with Craft-Bamboo Racing after our successful collaboration in the Asian Le Mans Series a few years ago. Coming back to Asia is also something special for me as I started my single seater career there. The team is working very hard to give us the best package to fight for the championship and being paired with James gives us a good line-up. I’m really looking forward to the beginning of the season and this new challenge!”
James Winslow, #95 Driver
“I’m extremely happy to be joining Craft-Bamboo Racing for the 2017 season in this new and very exciting prototype series. Craft-Bamboo Racing has put together a formidable team and driver line up, which I’m pleased to have been included in. I’ve had close links to the Craft-Bamboo team for many years and alongside some great teammates in Mathias Beche, Greg Taylor and Alex Tagliani, I’m looking forward to working with the whole team for a serious challenge on the 2017 title.”
