The newly merged Craft-Bamboo Racing will make its first appearance in the GT Asia Series this weekend (16-18 May) in the 2014 season-opener at the Korean International Circuit and it has confirmed the participation of two Aston Martin Vantage GT3s for the first two rounds of the season.

The team recently formed as the result of a merger between two renowned race teams – GT and endurance series participants Craft Racing AMR and touring car series participants Bamboo Engineering – to make Craft-Bamboo Racing. The partnership was announced early last month prior to its first outing at the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in Europe.

Founder of Bamboo Engineering, Richard Coleman, was appointed the CEO of Craft-Bamboo Racing and he is excited at the prospect of his first GT Asia Series experience. “It is an exciting time for the team as it looks set to be the best season yet of GT Asia. We are really looking forward to getting on track in what looks to be a great season-opener in Korea”.

Craft-Bamboo Racing has confirmed the participation of GT Asia Series regulars, Frank Yu and Stefan Mücke for the 2014 season. After narrowly missing the out on the championship title in 2013, Yu is looking forward to getting started on his quest for the championship this year.

“I'm very excited to start my season this year with our newly merged team. Everyone on board has already been working diligently the past few months to prepare for the start of the season and I'm very impressed with the passion, quality and dedication from the team thus far, truly a world class effort” said Yu.

He will be joined in Korea by V8 Supercar driver, Warren Luff as Mücke will be away in his capacity as an Aston Martin Racing’s factory driver in the VLN series at the Nürburgring.

“I'm excited to start the season with Warren, who I've heard a lot about in the past, and we hope to get a good start of the season in Korea. The competition is getting more and more fierce in the GT Asia Series and this year is perhaps the best we've seen,” ended Yu.

“Partnering with Frank Yu in an Aston Martin Vantage GT3 car will be a great honour for me, as I have always wanted to drive in the GT Asia Series, and with a professional outfit like Craft-Bamboo Racing it is a dream come true” said Luff.

“GT Racing is a lot different to the V8 Supercar Endurance racing we are used to here in Australia, the aero grip of a GT car really suits my driving style and the prestige of the field has great appeal” he ended. 

The team will also feature a second car at the Korean circuit, driven by a pair of GT Asia newcomers, Korea’s hometown hero, Tacksung Kim and Malaysia’s fastest female GT driver, Natasha Seatter. 

A young and upcoming GT driver, Kim has only been involved in GT cars for two years and has quickly become a well-known figure in the motorsport scene. In 2011, Kim first participated in the Ferrari Challenge and quickly became a race winner, while competing with seasoned GT drivers.

His participation in the GT Asia Series with Craft-Bamboo Racing is a great opportunity to further his career and his home track knowledge will be very beneficial to the team. “I’m happy to be a part of such a high calibre team in such an exciting race series. GT Asia is something that I have had my sights on and being able to drive in my home country with one of the strongest teams in the field, feels quite amazing!”

For Natasha Seatter, it hasn’t been the easiest of journeys moving up the motorsport ladder, being one of the few female race drivers from Malaysia.  However, her speed, experience and determination has shone through in each and every one of her races.

She started her career in karting and quickly graduated in the top of her class in the junior single seaters, before becoming the first woman to win a race in the Middle East. Seen now as the fastest female GT driver in Malaysia, she is ready to show the boys in GT Asia what she is made of.

“I’m extremely excited about racing in the opening round of the GT Asia Series in Korea for Craft-Bamboo Racing. They are an amazing team to be with and it’s an honour to be among drivers of this calibre and be considered an equal, but it doesn’t mean I won’t try to beat their time!” said a grinning Seatter.

Craft-Bamboo Racing’s campaign in the 2014 GT Asia Series can only be made possible with the continued support of the team sponsors; Gravity Partnership, POAD, Motul, Racerlink and Tunewear.

Qualifying for the GT Asia Series will be held at 10am KST on Saturday May 17th followed by Round 1 at 14:20 KST on the same day.  Round 2 will be held on Sunday May 18th at 14:25 KST.

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