Craft-Bamboo Racing will return to the FIA World Touring Car Championship for the 2015 season, campaigning a new RML-built TC1 Chevrolet Cruze with Frenchman Gregoire Demoustier behind the wheel.
The Silverstone-based squad, previously known as bamboo engineering, raced in the WTCC between 2010 and 2013, campaigning Chevrolet cars in its first four seasons. The team was forced to take a sabbatical in 2014, however, as the new TC1 regulations saw a shortage of reasonably-priced cars.
The team, who are two-time winners in the series, will return with Demoustier and sponsor EURODATACAR with the new car, which is expected to be completed by mid-February. The team have yet to confirm if they will run a second car at the start of the season.
“I’m delighted to announce our return to the WTCC and to be working with Gregoire,” said CEO Richard Coleman. “We are limited in our preparation time but I hope to be in good shape for Argentina.”
The former Independent Teams’ title winners will aim to ship the car to Argentina just a few days after it is completed, in time for the season opener at Termas de Río Hondo on the 8th March.
“I am very happy to renew our relationship with RML,” added Coleman. “We are only down the road from each other and have had five years working together in touring cars in the past. We are still working hard on a second car and hope to expand the line-up.”
Demoustier is best known for racing in GT categories, which RML spent much of 2014 competing in. The 23-year-old will become the fourth confirmed Frenchman on the grid, after Yvan Muller, Sébastien Loeb and Hugo Valente.
“I am very happy to be joining the WTCC,” said Demoustier. “Craft-Bamboo Racing have been an excellent team in the past and I am really looking forward to working with them and learning the car. The first season will be a steep learning curve but I am sure we will achieve some good results.”
Championship Promoter Eurosport Events are glad to welcome the team back to the WTCC, with COO François Ribeiro commenting: “Eurosport Events is delighted to see Craft-Bamboo Racing coming back to WTCC. Their track-record in the championship speaks for itself and we never strayed too far away from Richard since the end of 2013.
“Given Gregoire’s GT background at ART, we are certain he will feel comfortable at Craft-Bamboo Racing. We look forward to see him on the grid and welcome him into WTCC.”