For the 2018 FIA GT World Cup in Macau, four Porsche entries from Craft Bamboo Racing and Manthey Racing are in action, with Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific providing support on site once again.
This year, 15 cars will head to the 6.2 km Guia Circuit, with both Craft-Bamboo Racing and Manthey Racing fielding two Porsche 911 GT3 R each, making Porsche joint as the most represented manufacturer on the grid.
Heading to the circuit for the first time is Porsche Young Professional Mathieu Jaminet, who will drive the Porsche Design liveried #991 car for Craft-Bamboo Racing. This is the Frenchman’s second appearance with the Hong Kong-based squad, having made his debut at the Suzuka 10 Hours.
His team-mate for this weekend and 2008 Macau GT Cup winner, Darryl O’Young, is entering his 15th consecutive race here and will run the #55 car bearing the Vita VLC colours.
Porsche factory drivers and IMSA team-mates Earl Bamber and Laurens Vanthoor will lead Manthey Racing’s charge, with the Platinum grade racers both having made two previous appearances in the FIA GT World Cup.
2016 Macau winner and GT lap record holder Vanthoor will drive the #911 Porsche 911 GT3 R, with 2016 Qualifying Race runner-up Bamber occupying the #912 car.
The Macau weekend will consist of practice on Thursday, before qualifying around the high-speed street circuit gets underway on Friday. Then comes the 12-lap Qualifying Race on Saturday, with the all-important 18-lap Main Race taking place on Sunday.
Mathieu Jaminet, #991 Craft-Bamboo Racing, said: “I am super excited to be back with the team, it’s going to be a great event with Craft-Bamboo Racing and Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific. It will be my first time on this crazy track, I’ve heard so much about it and watched so many races there. It’s going to be really nice to finally be a part of it.
“It won’t be easy as we also have very limited track time before qualifying and the races. But I’m really looking forward to the challenge and I know the team have a lot of experience there. My team-mate Darryl will give me his guidance and bring me up to speed as quickly as possible, giving me plenty of tips. It’s going to be a really good weekend and I hope for a very strong result.”
Darryl O’Young, #55 Craft-Bamboo Racing, said: “Incredibly excited to return to the FIA GT World Cup this year with the #55 VLT Porsche 911 GT3 R. This is like my home race and it will be my 15th consecutive year participating. The Vita VLT livery has become an iconic part of the event, and my aim is to bring Hong Kong its first FIA World Championship win as a driver, and aim to raise my Macau victory tally to four!”
Alexandre Gibot, Head of Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific, said: “The FIA GT World Cup in Macau is the biggest GT3 event of the year and to have four Porsche cars here is very exciting. Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific is delighted to be supporting Mathieu for his maiden effort here and we are sure his talents will see him score a strong result. We look forward to seeing Darryl, a multiple Macau GT Cup Winner, return to the Guia Circuit a track he knows very well. Manthey Racing have a very strong team and will certainly be in the hunt for victory, with both Laurens and Earl capable of winning this year.”