Craft-Bamboo Confirms Vanthoor, O’Young for Macau

Photos: Craft-Bamboo Racing

Laurens Vanthoor and Darryl O’Young will race for Craft-Bamboo Racing in the FIA GT World Cup at Macau, the team announced on Tuesday.

Both drivers are previous winners of the race, with O’Young claiming victory in 2008, when it was a GT Cup, and Vanthoor returning as the reigning champion.

They will drive Craft-Bamboo’s pair of Porsche 911 GT3 Rs in the race on Nov. 19.

“Macau is always one of the highlights of my season,” said Vanthoor. “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!”

O’Young’s victory was at the first running of the GT3 race while he also scored to wins in Macau in Porsche Carrera Cup competition. This year’s race will be his 14th consecutive attempt at the event.

“Macau is my home race and I’m extremely motivated for the event,” he said. “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.”

Dumas Set for Macau GT3 Debut

Romain Dumas, meanwhile, is set to make his FIA GT World Cup debut, in a HubAuto Racing-entered Porsche.

The 2016 FIA World Endurance Champion and 24 Hours of Le Mans winner will join Hiroki Yoshimoto in the two-car Porsche effort, alongside the Craft-Bamboo entries, which will also receive factory support.

It will mark the Frenchman’s return to the wheel of a Porsche 911 GT3 R for the first time since the Nürburgring 24 in May.

Jake Kilshaw

Jake Kilshaw is a UK-based journalist. He is a graduate of Politics and International Relations.