Craft-Bamboo Scales Back to Single Mercedes-AMG

Craft-Bamboo Racing has announced it has scaled back to a single Mercedes-AMG entry for the new GT World Challenge Asia powered by AWS season owing to Ralf Aron’s huge crash in last month’s Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour.

The Hong Kong-flagged team will initially focus solely on the No. 77 car to be driven by Chinese racer Liang ‘Alex’ Jiatong and another as-yet unnamed driver.

It follows Aron’s crash at Bathurst, where the Estonian driver collided with a stationary car that was blocking the track while he was leading the opening round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge, that left him with two fractures to his back.

However, Craft-Bamboo stated it “remains fully committed to returning to a dual-entry program as soon as possible” once it sources a replacement chassis.

“We are delighted to welcome Alex back for another GT World Challenge Asia powered by AWS season with Craft‑Bamboo Racing,” said team principal Darryl O’Young.

“Last year’s results give us plenty of momentum, and we are committed to taking another step forward in performance for 2026 while helping Alex to achieve his targets as a driver.

“It has been a devastating blow to not begin our GT World Challenge Asia season with the two-car program we had planned after the crash in Bathurst.

“Despite the disappointment, the team has rallied together, and we are looking forward to putting our best foot forward with the No. 77 while we work to get a second car back on track as soon as possible.”

Liang finished second in last year’s Silver Cup standings, sharing a car with Danial Frost for most of the season with O’Young standing in on two occasions.

He scored three class wins, including a clean sweep of the Beijing finale.

“I am very happy and grateful to start my fourth consecutive year with Craft-Bamboo Racing, and our second together in GT World Challenge Asia,” said Liang. “This year we again represent the brand of ROWE Motor Oil as brand ambassador.

“Last year we finished strong in GT World Challenge Asia with second in the Silver championship, so hopefully this year we can have a step forward and fight for the best result in season 2026.

“I would like to say thank you again to Mercedes-AMG, Craft-Bamboo Racing, ROWE Motor Oil, and Exgel Motorsport for all of the support and trust.”