Craft-Bamboo Racing head to Thailand this weekend for the penultimate round of the TCR International Series, with drivers Pepe Oriola and Jordi Gené needing a strong score to remain in championship contention.
Oriola has only won one race so far in 2015, but remains second overall in the championship classification thanks to a consistent run of podium finishes, with the Spaniard standing on the podium in six of the past seven races.
With no success ballast as a result of not being in the top three highest points-scorers in Singapore, Oriola is fully aware that he has a good opportunity to reduce the 11-point deficit to series leader Stefano Comini.
“This is a really important race for me and without any ballast I have to get back in the lead of the drivers’ championship before I arrive in Macau,” said Oriola. “The quality of the driving is growing in the series so this round’s qualifying will be really important. I am looking to take my second pole of the year.”
Meanwhile Jordi Gené has won three races so far in 2015, but a lack of consistency has left the Spaniard third in the championship, 30 points adrift of Comini. The experienced touring car racer knows that this weekend could be his last real opportunity to remain in the title fight.
“Thailand is one of my last chances to reduce the gap to the leader so I will have to play all my cards right to try and get to Macau with a chance of taking the championship,” said Gené. “It will be a new circuit for all of us, and I will do my best to prepare with extra simulator time.
“Also, the amount of new drivers and cars will make this race a very interesting one so let´s hope for a good track for our SEAT León and keep pushing for more wins.”
Craft-Bamboo Racing CEO Richard Coleman is hoping that his team can remain in contention for both the drivers’ and team’s titles ahead of the season finale Macau in November.
“This is another crucial round for Team Craft-Bamboo Lukoil and the team will be focused on delivering a flawless performance,” added Coleman. “We are currently leading the teams’ championship and within very close reach of taking the drivers’ championship.
“This weekend will be about scoring the maximum amount of points possible to place us in the lead for both titles when we reach Macau for the final round of the season.”