Engel, Juncadella Join Craft-Bamboo at Bathurst

Mercedes-AMG factory drivers Maro Engel and Daniel Juncadella have been added to Craft-Bamboo Racing’s lineup for this weekend’s Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour.

Juncadella and Engel will drive the No. 91 Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo in the Australian classic.

The duo will team with Macanese Bronze-rated driver Kevin Tse.

Tse first stepped up to GT3 racing in 2019 and raced with Craft-Bamboo in the Hankook 24H Series.

Last year, the 43-year-old competed in both the Intelligent Money British GT Championship and Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Sprint Cup with Ram Racing.

“I’m really pleased to be back at the Bathurst 12 Hour as a Mercedes-AMG Performance team,” said team director Darryl O’Young.

“Our drivers are strong, we have worked many times over the years with Maro and Kevin, and we are very happy to welcome Daniel to the team this year.

“Bathurst is a very unique circuit, and although it is Kevin and Daniel’s first time on the mountain, they boast years of experience at circuits such as Macau Grand Prix as well as Daniel’s experience at Nurburgring.

“This is quite important as driving at high speed close to walls is something not so easy to adapt to.

“I’m also glad to have a great list of partners this year to ensure our team is able to perform at the highest level. Really excited to get the week started.”

Craft-Bamboo scored a podium finish at Bathurst by finishing third in 2015 but missed out on a second podium due to a late-race puncture.

While Engel was part of the team’s lineup in 2020, Juncadella will make his Bathurst debut.

The Hong-Kong based squad will receive “extensive factory support” from Mercedes-AMG and is one of six entries representing the German manufacturer at Bathurst.

Other Pro-Am entries include SunEnergy1 Racing, Triple Eight Racing Engineering and Nineteen Corporation Pty.

The Pro-Am contingent are joined by two Am-class entries from RAM Motorsport and Valmont Racing.

 “We are delighted to be returning to Mount Panorama Circuit,” said Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing boss Stefan Wendl.

“This extraordinary circuit and the unique backdrop is a highlight on our motorsport calendar every single year and a great start of the challenging IGTC.

“Our teams come with a good mix of experience and ability so that we expect to have good chances of top results in this unique race.

I wish our customer sport teams good luck for the race and a good start of the IGTC season.”