Jeffrey Lee, Sandy Stuvik and Jiatong Liang confirmed line-up for #88 Mercedes-AMG GT3
Hong Kong team aims for victory at iconic Malaysian endurance race
International endurance racing returns to Sepang International Circuit after 6-year hiatus
Hong Kong’s Craft-Bamboo Racing has confirmed a single car entry to the endurance race with Jeffrey Lee (TPE), Sandy Stuvik (THA) and Jiatong Liang (CHN) as the drivers for the #88 Mercedes-AMG GT3. The event will also mark Craft-Bamboo Racing’s return to the famed Malaysian circuit for the first race since the pandemic, with their last race at SIC back in 2019. The team will be aiming for the top step of the podium with a competitive car and a formidable line-up.
The 2023 Sepang 12 Hours is set to be run as an 8-hour race as opposed to the traditional 12-hour format, making it more financially viable as many Asian teams are still recovering from the setbacks of 3 years of extremely limited racing in Asia due to the pandemic. However, the event is set to be an exciting one nonetheless due to the gruelling nature of the track. The 5.5km FIA Grade 1 circuit presents a unique layout with a mix of long straights and a technical middle section, making it an ideal circuit for overtaking opportunities and making it an excellent location for the upcoming endurance. Add in the scorching heat and humidity and the track is a true challenge for any driver or team.
Craft-Bamboo Racing’s sole entry will feature a striking red and blue J-Fly Racing livery on the Mercedes-AMG GT3. Along with the support of a highly experienced team, Jeffrey Lee will be spearheading the team efforts. He will bring a wealth of experience with multiple races at the track - having taken numerous victories in Sepang, including in 2019 during his GT World Challenge Asia and China GT Championship campaigns. He will be complemented well by 3-time Thailand Super Series champion Stuvik. The highly regarded GT3 driver has also raced with Craft-Bamboo Racing in the past, most recently in 2018 at the GT World Challenge Asia season. The line-up will be rounded out with China’s Liang, who recently celebrated a sensational Greater Bay Area GT Cup victory at the 2022 Macau Grand Prix. Liang, who has raced in Europe for the majority of his career, will be entering his first endurance event in South East Asia. Overall, all 3 drivers create an extremely strong package built around experience, for the team to go for the top step of the podium.
The team is delighted to welcome back Motul as a partner at the event, providing reliability and performance from its 300V flagship lubricant along with other essential oils for the gearbox and brakes of the Mercedes-AMG GT3. Other event partners include J-Fly Racing, The Pizza Company and Jet 8 who will assist to propel the team's efforts on track, along with the continued support of regular team partners Hong Kong Asia Medical Group, Gravity, Evisu and FreeM.
Weekend Schedule (all times in GMT+8)
Friday 17th March
0900 - 1030: Paid Practice
1500 - 1630: Free Practice 1
2000 - 2130: Free Practice 2
Saturday 18th March
0945 - 1000: Qualifying 1
1010 - 1025: Qualifying 2
1035 - 1050: Qualifying 3
1430 - 2030: Main Race
Quotes
Jeffrey Lee | Driver, #88 Craft-Bamboo Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3
“I am looking forward to getting back on track in Sepang with Craft-Bamboo Racing and the Mercedes-AMG GT3. We have a competitive car and some really strong co-drivers in Sandy and Jiatong. The track is really good and we have tasted great success here in the past with CBR. I felt good testing here in 2022 so I hope we can have a great weekend and come back with a victory.”
Sandy Stuvik | Driver, #88 Craft-Bamboo Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3
“I’m excited to be back with Craft-Bamboo Racing for my first endurance event at Sepang. I look forward to the challenge and hope to learn as much as possible in my first outing in the Mercedes-AMG GT3.”
Jiatong Liang | Driver, #88 Craft-Bamboo Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3
“I am really happy that after 3 difficult years finally, we are back to international racing. I really appreciate Craft-Bamboo Racing for this great opportunity. Definitely, the Sepang 12 Hours is one of the most challenging endurance racing in Asia, but I hope we can have a clean race and try to finish the race with a good result”
Darryl O’Young | Director, Craft-Bamboo Racing
“It has been a long awaited return for the team to return and compete at the Sepang International Circuit. Although our workshop is based here, it has been a really long time since we last raced here. We came off a very winning season with Jeffrey in 2019, so we hope to kick off 2023 with a victory, especially with the help of two very quick drivers, Sandy and Jiatong. It is great to have Sandy back with us and finally have Jiatong in our car since discussions going back to the start of the 2020 season. Our team is very ready and hope to execute a perfect race weekend operationally for the drivers.”
