Craft-Bamboo Racing has confirmed their entry in the second round of the 2024 Super Taikyu Series for Fuji SUPER TEC 24 Hours from 24-26 May with Dean Chen (CAN), Jeffrey Lee (TPE), Jiatong Liang (CHN), Kakunoshin Ohta (JPN) and Jayden Ojeda (AUS) for the #33 Mercedes-AMG GT3 in the ST-X class. The upcoming race will mark the team’s debut in the Super Taikyu series and their return to endurance racing in Japan after their previous race at the 2019 Suzuka 10 Hours. With a formidable lineup of drivers and a competitive car, the team will look to secure a podium finish in the team’s first race of the series.
Featured in the #33 Mercedes-AMG GT3 will be Honda Factory Driver Kakunoshin Ohta, who will be racing with Craft-Bamboo Racing for the first time. The Japanese driver contains a wealth of experience racing in Japan and his knowledge of the Fuji International Speedway will be vital in the team’s search for their first podium finish at Super Taikyu. Canadian driver Chen has an impressive motorsport record and will be racing in GT3 for the first time after showing strong pace throughout testing sessions, while GT veteran Lee will be returning again after his P3 finish in the 2018 Fuji 24 Hours race. His experience in endurance racing with the Mercedes-AMG GT3 will prove vital throughout the 24 hour race. Liang will also be returning with Craft-Bamboo Racing after a strong P5 finish at Sepang 12 Hours in 2023. Rounding off the lineup will be Australian young gun Ojeda, who will be returning to the team after demonstrating strong pace at 2024 Bathurst 12 Hour.
Set in the foothills of Mount Fuji, the Fuji International Speedway is a technical, high speed circuit that will challenge the driver’s mental and physical endurance throughout the 24 hour race. With a series of slow, technical corners and a long 1.5km straight, the 4.5km circuit will put the car’s durability to the ultimate test. To add to the excitement, the race is set to take place under mixed conditions with rain forecasted for the start of the race, increasing the importance of tyre management and pitstop strategy.
The team is delighted to welcome J-Fly Racing, Axon Simulators, HK Asia Medical Holdings, Rowe Motor oil, Exgel Seating Lab, and Aspec as partners for the event, that will help maximize Craft-Bamboo Racing’s effort in their Super Taikyu debut. All races will be streamed live on the official Super Taikyu Youtube page, as well as their official website.
Shuichi Hatakeyama
General Manager Japan | Craft-Bamboo Racing
"We are very excited to be joining the Super Taikyu Series. I am thankful for the support of STMO to making it possible for us to join. I also want to thank all the people in the Japanese motorsport community who helped us get here. For the race, we have a good lineup, so we want to have a good consistent race to achieve the best possible result."
Jeffrey Lee | Driver
#33 Craft-Bamboo Racing
“I’m very excited to be racing in Fuji once again. It’s a track that I love racing at and to take part in the 24 hour race again feels amazing. We have a strong team with some fantastic drivers so as long as we can keep the car out of the wall, I’m hopeful that we can secure a strong finish.”
Jayden Ojeda | Driver
#33 Craft-Bamboo Racing
“I’m really looking forward to joining Craft-Bamboo Racing for the Fuji 24 Hour. Fuji is such an iconic circuit with years of history so the opportunity to drive with a great team and great teammates is something I’m going to really enjoy.”
Dean Chen | Driver
#33 Craft-Bamboo Racing
“Since a long time ago, I’ve been watching Super Taikyu. Fuji 24 is a famous event because there are many tuners or manufacturers who use the event as a testing ground. For people who love Japanese car culture, it is one of the highlight events. It will be my honour to participate in it. The team has been doing a great job on the prep work for the event and we have a good driver lineup with great drivers like Kakunoshin and Jayden. It's a long race. We will try our best and hopefully we will be fighting at the front.”
Jiatong Liang | Driver
#33 Craft-Bamboo Racing
“I’m very happy to drive for Craft-Bamboo Racing this year in Super Taikyu and compete in the Japanese motorsport world for the second consecutive year after last year’s Super GT participation. Thanks again to all the people who helped make this possible, I will treasure this chance and work hard, trying to achieve the best possible result together with all the team.”
Kakunoshin Ohta | Driver
#33 Craft-Bamboo Racing
"I am Kakunoshin Ohta, a Honda contracted driver in SUPER FORMULA and SUPER GT. I am looking forward to participating in the Fuji 24-Hour Race with the prestigious Craft-Bamboo Racing. As a local Japanese driver, I will do my best to lead the team."
