Mercedes-AMG drivers Maro Engel, Luca Stolz, and Jules Gounon confirmed
Craft-Bamboo Racing collaborating with Tarmac Works for special Mooneyes livery at the American round of the 2021 Intercontinental GT Challenge
First international race event for Craft-Bamboo Racing since February 2020
Mercedes-AMG Team Craft-Bamboo Racing will return to racing with an all-star Mercedes-AMG Driver line-up for the 2021 Intercontinental GT Challenge powered by Pirelli Indianapolis 8 Hours set to take place from 15th to 17th October. The team will feature Maro Engel (GER), Luca Stolz (GER) and Jules Gounon (FRA), all sharing the #99 Mercedes-AMG Team Craft-Bamboo Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3. This race will also be the first time Craft-Bamboo Racing competes in America, and a debut at an iconic circuit such as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will add to the excitement for the team.
Specially designed for the Indianapolis 8 Hour entry, the team’s Mercedes-AMG GT3 will feature a special Mooneyes livery in its iconic yellow and black design. The eye-catching Mooneyes brand has been around since the 1950s, and its striking logo was made famous during the brand’s stint in American drag racing history. Since then, the unique brand has grown globally with fans across the world, and this race marks Mooneyes’ debut into endurance racing.
The team’s partnership also extends to Hong Kong-based Tarmac Works, a premium-quality replica model car producer most well known for their speciality in the 1:64 scale. To celebrate this partnership, Tarmac Works will produce a limited edition run of the Mooneyes designed Mercedes-AMG Team Craft-Bamboo Racing entry in both 1:64 and 1:43 scale, available online to all racing fans around the world.
After challenging 2020 and 2021 seasons for many Asian teams forced to be away from racing, Craft-Bamboo Racing is looking to make a strong impact straight away at the event. The Intercontinental GT Challenge is proven to be a highly competitive competition, involving many of the top teams and manufacturers from around the world.
Due to the arrival of the pandemic, the last Intercontinental GT Challenge event the team entered was the Bathurst 12 Hour in February 2020 where a late puncture in the final hour dropped the team off the podium to finish P5 at the flag. With Mercedes-AMG sitting P4 on the Manufacturers Standings after the first round at the Spa 24 hours in the 2021 season, the team is looking to score top points for the German marque at Indianapolis.
The 3.9km circuit designed on the infield of the iconic Indianapolis Motors Speedway, is the perfect setting for an exciting GT endurance race with a combination of technical corners and long straights producing plenty of overtaking opportunities.
QUOTES
Darryl O’Young | Director of Craft-Bamboo Racing
“To say we are excited to be back into the International GT competition is an understatement. We knew going into this event the logistical complexities of racing in America during the pandemic, however, we also recognised the great importance for the team to get back on track. We are very focused on preparing well for this event, in order to give our drivers, engineers, and crew the best opportunity to win the Indy 8hrs. With the support of Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing, we have a very strong driver line-up and technical support, so our target is to deliver and go for the win. We are also grateful to have Tarmac Works as our event title partner to create this stunning Mooneyes livery, which brings a piece of American motorsport history into our entry. We have all the ingredients to fight for the win, now we just need to execute.”
Stefan Wendl l Head of Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing
“The last time we saw Craft-Bamboo Racing was a strong race at Bathurst 12hr in 2020, over 1 year ago. I'm so pleased to see the team return to the track in IGTC at the 8 Hours of Indianapolis, and I truly believe with Maro, Jules, and Luca we have the right drivers and team to compete for the overall victory. I wish the team all the best in October.”
Luca Stolz | Driver #99 Mercedes-AMG GT3
“I am really happy to join Craft-Bamboo Racing again. We have had some great success together in the past - had a good race in Suzuka 2 years ago and also showed some good speed at Bathurst. The team always does a great job. This time we are also joined by Jules Gounon, who is a good friend of mine. I am really looking forward to the race. It’s cool to be back in America and I hope we can make it to the podium.”
Jules Gounon | Driver #99 Mercedes-AMG GT3
“I am very happy and very pleased to be driving for Craft-Bamboo Racing at the Indianapolis 8 Hour. Especially driving alongside Maro and Luca will be a first for me and I am really looking forward to driving with them. I think we have a strong line-up and we will work very hard in the preparation - during free practice to set up a good car and fight with the best. Really looking forward [to it] and I cannot wait to see all the Craft-Bamboo Racing team in the US.”
Maro Engel | Driver #99 Mercedes-AMG GT3
“I am really looking forward to racing with Craft-Bamboo Racing again. Obviously, it’s been a really tough period for racing in Asia, so I know Darryl and the whole team have worked really hard and it’s great to be back on track with them now for the Indianapolis 8 Hour. We have a great driver line-up with Luca and Jules so [I am] really looking forward to that. We have all the ingredients to do well. Luca and I don’t know the track, but Jules does, so that will be great to feed off Jules’ experience there. We’re just excited for the race and hopefully, we can get everything together and come back with a really strong result.”
