Craft-Bamboo Racing has announced a new title partnership with Lukoil, ahead of its forthcoming assault on the new TCR International series. The new for 2015 championship targets C-segment cars with a maximum displacement of 2.0-litres.
Entering the championship under the name “Team Craft-Bamboo Lukoil”, the team will field a trio of Seat Leon Cup Racers, which will be piloted by Sergey Afanasyev and two, as yet, unnamed further drivers. Craft-Bamboo states that this partnership is ‘a demonstration of the team’s clear intention to challenge for both the team and driver’s championship title in 2015’.
“I am thrilled to announce our three car entry into the TCR International series,” explained Richard Coleman, CEO of Craft-Bamboo Racing. “We are very excited to be working with Lukoil because not only are they an excellent partner, but they also have a reputation for backing winners. The title is our aim but we know how difficult that will be with so many top teams and drivers in TCR International.”
The season will see a total of 12 races contested across South America, Europe and Asia. The maiden race will be held in Malaysia, at the Sepang International Circuit on March 29 as a support race to the FIA Formula 1 Grand Prix. The series will then stay stays in Asia, travelling to Shanghai International Circuit where the series will once again run alongside the Formula 1 circus on April 12.
“We are delighted that a team as experienced and professional as Craft-Bamboo Racing is putting its trust in the performance of our Leon Cup Racer,” added Jaime Puig, head of Seat Sport. “It marks our entry into a new series that will offer fans some great motorsport with strong competitors and thrilling races. We have been relentless in the further development of the Leon Cup Racer and are extremely confident that Craft-Bamboo Racing and the Leon Cup Racer will have a major role to play in the battle for the podium.”
Craft-Bamboo Racing has a successful Touring Car history dating back to 2009. In 2013 they claimed the independent title with a third place overall in the FIA World Championship, the only independent team ever to do so in the World Touring Car Championship.
