Craft-Bamboo Commits to Bathurst 12H with Mercedes

Craft-Bamboo has announced its participation in next month’s Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour with a single Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo.

The Hong Kong-based team is set for its fifth appearance in the event, with its most recent outing coming in 2020 when it finished fifth with AMG factory driver input.

Its commitment to the 2022 Intercontinental GT Challenge powered by Pirelli season-opener follows on from its entry into last season’s race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Craft-Bamboo also had plans to contest the final round of 2021 at Kyalami, but its announced entry was withdrawn after the event’s postponement to February this year.

The Pro-Am driver lineup and the livery for the team’s Bathurst 12 Hour bid will be revealed at a later date.

“It feels a bit surreal to say we are finally returning to the Bathurst 12 Hour this year,” commented Craft-Bamboo Racing director Darryl O’Young.

“The pandemic was just starting last time we came to race in Australia, and it is a great feeling that after over two years of mostly tight lockdowns around the Asia Pacific, we can say that we are returning to Mount Panorama.  

“The 12 Hour has always been a special race for our team, and this year is quite unique as it’s the first Intercontinental GT Challenge race which will feature Pro-Am lineups going for the overall win.

“I’m excited to have Evisu, Motul, Contempo Concept, and Tarmac Works as our team partners for this event and our Mercedes-AMG GT3 livery will be revealed soon.

“Although we aren’t ready to announce our drivers, I can assure we will come with a lineup that is aiming for the win.”

Craft-Bamboo has only confirmed its involvement in the Bathurst IGTC round, which opens a four-round campaign that also includes the TotalEnergies 24 Hours of Spa in July, the Indianapolis 8 Hour in October and the Kyalami 9 Hour in November.

The team’s best result from its four previous Bathurst attempts came on its 2015 debut when it finished third overall with an Aston Martin Vantage GT3 driven by O’Young, Alex MacDowall and Stefan Muecke.

Its entry into the most recent edition two years ago also looked set to yield a podium result until a puncture in the final stint dropped its Mercedes-AMG out of trophy contention.