Craft-Bamboo Racing heads into the season finale of the TCR International Series in Macau this weekend ‘not under pressure’, despite drivers Pepe Oriola and Jordi Gené being in contention for the drivers’ championship.
Pepe Oriola is the Anglo-Hong Kong team’s leading driver, with the Spaniard just two points adrift of championship leader Stefano Comini heading to the Circuito da Guia.
Whilst Oriola won last time out in Thailand to briefly take the points lead, that advantage was immediately snatched back by Comini who won the second race in Buriram.
“I know we are really close in the championship and Macau is a track I really like,” said Oriola, who finished in second in his last race at the track in 2013, when it was part of the World Touring Car Championship calendar. “I have had good years and bad years in Macau so I am hoping for the best this weekend.
“We will see what happens when free practice begins but I have a good feeling about the race and I want to end the season on a high for both myself and the team.”
The team’s second driver, Jordi Gené, is also in overall title contention in third, although with at least 34 points to make up he knows that he has a tough task ahead of him to keep his outside shot at the championship alive.
“I have a huge battle ahead of me this weekend and a big gap to close as well but I will be pushing as hard as I can to take every last point,” added Gené. “Macau is a tough circuit and with limited overtaking opportunities I need to make the most of my qualifying session.”
CEO Coleman added that the pressure is not on his team this weekend, with Target Competition’s Comini facing a fight to keep his slender points advantage. Moreover, Coleman knows that his drivers and team have the upper hand, with Comini never having previously raced on the street circuit.
“It has been a challenging season and the team has done a marvellous job to continually bring home top results,” said Coleman. “We have two drivers in the running for the championship, with Pepe Oriola having considerable experience at this track before; along with many of our team members.
“Whilst you can never be confident at Macau, and a lot of things on paper are in our favour, we are not the ones under pressure. I am a little worried about Rob Huff in the Honda, but he is a true professional and won’t get involved in anything that would affect the championship, although he will be looking to win for sure.”