Pepe Oriola will race a SEAT León in the 2015 TCR International Series after signing for Team Craft-Bamboo Lukoil.
The 20 year-old Spaniard, whose younger brother Jordi has already been confirmed for two wildcard events at Valencia and Monza, will partner Russian Sergey Afanasyev and an a further un-named driver in the three-car team.
“I am so pleased to welcome Pepe Oriola to Team Craft-Bamboo Lukoil; he is a proven race winner and despite his young age will not be a number two driver,” said team CEO Richard Coleman. “He brings with him tremendous speed and experience in Touring Cars and I expect him tol be a championship contender. I think Craft-Bamboo Lukoil will give him the environment to take the step from a race winner to a champion.”
After spending last year on the sidelines, Oriola becomes the third driver after Franz Engstler and Gianni Morbidelli with previous WTCC experience to switch to Marcello Lotti’s rival championship and is eager to get underway.
“It has been a hard road filled with sacrifices, but it’s worth it,” said Oriola. “I now have the reward of becoming a professional driver and I will be participating in a new competition that will become a milestone in international touring car racing.
“This would not have been possible without the support of my family and my sponsors who have trusted me over the years. I would especially like to thank Lukoil, Cali Group Macao, Craft-Bamboo Racing and RACC for their support.
“The feeling is very positive with Craft-Bamboo Racing and we have already begun working to prepare for the TCR International Series that will surely become a championship of reference. It has a very attractive calendar and several races will be shared with Formula 1, which is another attraction for this championship.”
The season will commence in Malaysia on March 29th.