Craft-Bamboo Racing is ready to face a brand new field of competitors for the first ever TCR Asia Series race. The inaugural round of the touring car series will be held at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia where Craft-Bamboo will be focused on taking home a top result to start the season on a high.
Hong Kong driver, Eric Kwong, will be joining Craft-Bamboo Racing for the first round and will be piloting, Frank Yu’s, #99 SEAT Leon, which was driven in the International Series opener earlier this year. An experienced driver, Kwong, will be facing a strong field of competitors in the first of a four race season.
Kwong has raced in a variety of series, including the Hong Kong Touring Car Championship and Ferrari Challenge Asia Pacific, but he is best known for his appearance in the World Touring Car Championship in 2012. While the team is confident ahead of the weekend, given their experience with the International Series where they now lead the drivers’ championship, they are also well aware of the challenges that the start of any new series brings.
The season will see a total of four races contested around Asia, with Singapore, Thailand and Macau on the roster. Frank, will take over from, Kwong, when the series hits the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore on the 20th of September.
The TCR Asia Series format will see two 30 minute practice sessions conducted on the Friday the 4th, with qualifying to be held from 10:30-11:05 (GMT +8) on Saturday the 5th. The first race will begin later that day from 14:00-14:30 (10 laps) while Sunday’s race will run from 14:30-15:00 (10 Laps).
Quotes
Richard Coleman, CEO of Craft-Bamboo Racing
“It is fantastic to see the TCR program expand into its very own Asian series. It is a true endorsement of how successful the International Series has been and we are proud supporters of both these championships. Eric Kwong is an accomplished driver and I hope we can start the season with a strong result but it will be a competitive field out there so I’m sure we will see some great racing.”
Eric Kwong, Driver #99 SEAT Leon
“I’m very delighted to join the top team currently in the TCR International series. I haven’t raced touring cars in two years, but I will do my best to learn the TCR car and do a good job for the team. TCR seems to be growing around the world, and I’m glad to have the chance to try the car and be a part of the new TCR Asia series.”
