Aston Martin Racing customer teams Craft-Bamboo Racing, Motionsport and Aston Martin St. Gallen head down under to take on Australia’s biggest endurance racing event this weekend, the Bathurst 12 Hours.
Craft-Bamboo Racing and Motionsport make history as they enter the first V12 Vantage GT3s to contest the 12-hour race, something that Team Principal John Gaw says is an exciting step in the British brand’s success.
“We’ve had great success with our V12 Vantage GT3 around the world,” he said. “We had five entries in Spa 24 Hours, finished fifth in Nürburgring 24 Hours and had five consecutive pole positions in the United Sports Car Championship including Daytona 24 Hours. Bathurst 12 Hours is one of the big GT races and to have cars battling it out for the overall win is very exciting.”
Craft-Bamboo Racing will race for overall honours with the #97 Vantage GT3 driven by Aston Martin Racing works drivers Stefan Mücke, Alex MacDowall and two-time race-winner Darryl O’Young.
“Bathurst 12 Hours is one of the big iconic endurance races,” said MacDowall. “It will be great to see the Vantage GT3 battling out for the win…to be driving it myself is really exciting.”
The Asia-based team will also enter an identical V12 Vantage GT3 in the Pro-Am class with drivers Jean-Marc Merlin, Frank Yu and Jonathan Venter who, despite being just 18 years old, has competed in Bathurst 12 Hours twice and hopes to lead the team to class victory.
“I’m really excited to race with Craft-Bamboo Racing in Bathurst 12 Hours,” said Venter. “It’s a great opportunity to gain experience and continue the learning from my GT Asia races with the team last season. The Aston Martin is very strong and, being on Michelin tyres, it is the perfect package for us here in Bathurst.”
New Aston Martin Racing team, Motionsport, will also be looking for the Pro-Am class win in its Vantage GT3 and all-British line-up of Pete Storey, Ben Gower and Gordon Shedden.
“We certainly have unfinished business at Bathurst after last year,” said Shedden. “The Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 will be a fantastic car to have round the Mountain and it will be great to be at the sharp end of the race.”
In the GT4 class, Aston Martin St. Gallen will return to the Mountain looking for class victory with its V8 Vantage GT4. The team, which includes Swiss drivers Dr. Andreas Baenziger and Dr. Florian Kamelger, will be hoping to repeat its podium result of 2013 and completes the Aston contingent.
