GT Series

Craft-Bamboo Racing Sign Darryl O’Young, Jonathan Venter

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Craft-Bamboo Racing have recruited Hong Kong’s Darryl O’Young and Australian Jonathan Venter to drive the #99 Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 in this year’s GT Asia Series.

Previously announced by the team was their #88 car lineup, of Richard Lyons and Frank Yu, and with two strong driver pairings, the Hong Kong-based team will have a good chance of winning both drivers’ and teams’ championships in 2015.

Darryl O’Young has many accolades to his name, including three Macau Grand Prix wins, two Bathurst 12 Hour victories and two Porsche Carrera Cup Asia championships. He has a lot of experience with the Aston Martin, having raced them many times, including in last year’s FIA World Endurance Championship.

Jonathan Venter is a rising star from Australia who won numerous karting championships before the age of 15. In 2012, he won the Victorian Formula Ford Championship. Venter joined Craft-Bamboo last year, and has already competed for them in a few GT events, including three GT Asia races. Furthermore, he was recently awarded one of just ten places in the Aston Martin Racing Evolution Academy.

“I am still so honoured to be chosen to represent Aston Martin as a part of the Evolution Academy,” said Venter. “The academy is still in its early stages but I have already been to AML HQ in Gaydon with the rest of the Academy drivers and it was a fantastic experience. With each visit there we learn new ways and methods that are required to become a successful GT driver. Whether it’s driving itself or how to approach the media or fitness, the Academy gives us all a detailed insight into what it takes. It is a long road ahead and I have a lot to learn but I am dedicated to giving it my all and doing the best I can throughout the whole year.”

 “Jonathan Venter has raced with Craft-Bamboo Racing on several occasions and on each outing, he has gone quicker and really impressed the team,” says O’Young, who speaks very highly of his new teammate. “He has become more mature as a driver in a very short time and he especially impressed me with his speed in Bathurst.  He’s a young driver with a lot of talent and I’m hoping to pass off my experience this season to unlock his full potential.  I’m really happy to be paired with Jono and I think we’ll have a fun season ahead.”

Venter continues: “To be partnered with Darryl is such an honour for me considering his very successful background in motorsport. Darryl has raced some of the toughest categories in the world and has gained lots of valuable experience so I wish this year that I can develop off that experience. He’s a very quick driver and I definitely believe that our pairing will be very competitive against the strong GT Asia field this year.”

“I have had nothing but great experiences with Craft-Bamboo Racing. Having so far done five race weekends with them, after every race I feel much more confident and learn so much from their amazing engineers and mechanics. Craft-Bamboo Racing is one of the most professional teams in the world, competing in many disciplines. I feel very comfortable racing with them this year and I believe they are a winning team.”

The 2015 GT Asia Series starts on May 16/17 at the Yeongam International Circuit in South Korea.

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Jake covers sportscars for The Checkered Flag, mainly Tudor United SportsCar Championship and World Endurance Championship, along with a variety of other series including World Rally Championship.
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