Craft-Bamboo Racing has confirmed that it will field a trio of SEAT León racers for Pepe Oriola, James Nash and Sergey Afansyev in the 2016 TCR International Series.
Nash replaces Jordi Gené in the Anglo-Hong Kong team, reuniting the Brit with the outfit who he previously raced for in the World Touring Car Championship, where he claimed a brace of victories.
After a couple of seasons in GT racing, Nash will return to touring car competition full-time for the first time since 2013. The 30-year-old had previously told TouringCars.Net of his desire to get back into tin-top racing.
“I am really excited to be returning to touring cars with a team I had much success with in 2013,” said Nash. “It’s going to be a big change, as well as a challenge, but one I am glad to be heading into with, SEAT, Craft-Bamboo and Lukoil.
“Pre-season testing has been limited but stepping into a championship winning car is always a good place to start. I can’t wait to start work in Bahrain.”
Both Oriola and Afanasyev will continue with the team in 2016. Oriola was narrowly beaten to the inaugural title in the Macau series finale in 2015, with the Spaniard keen to make amends and clinch the title this season.
“I am so happy to stay with Team Craft-Bamboo Lukoil and SEAT where last year we all worked so well together and fought for the championship right up until the last lap,” said Oriola. “I want to say thank you to Lukoil and SEAT for making this all possible and I hope together with Team Craft-Bamboo Lukoil, I can take the drivers’ championship this year.”
Russian driver Afanasyev comes with backing from Lukoil, who will continue as the team’s primary sponsor in 2016. After clinching three podiums in 2015, the 27-year-old is target wins in the coming year.
“2015 was a hard year for everyone – both Lukoil and Craft-Bamboo took on a new touring car series and I stepped into a front wheel drive car for the first time,” said Afanasyev. “Thanks for all the support that I received from my teammates, engineers, mechanics, and sponsors and to everyone who supported me!
“We had a lot of great moments and my target is to get even more of them this year! There is always only one target – to be first. But it is always a matter of experience, and the championship will be much stronger this year. I’m aiming to be in the top three drivers and will make sure the team is first in the teams‘ championship.”
Team CEO Richard Coleman is hopeful of continuity playing to their advantage for the coming season, whilst he also praised Gené for his contribution to the team’s success in 2015.
“I am delighted that our partnership with Lukoil and SEAT Sport is continuing for the 2016 season,” said Coleman. “We had a lot of success last year with our SEAT León and I am sure we will be in an even better position to challenge for both championship titles this season.
“Sergey Afanasyev and Pepe Oriola are back on board with us after a great first year in the series and it is fantastic to welcome back James Nash to the team. Over the winter Team Craft-Bamboo Lukoil worked hard to retain its partners and carry this consistency into the second TCR season; we feel very confident that we have the full package to deliver a championship winning effort.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jordi Gene as he was a big part of the family, and he has also done great work during the off-season to develop the new SEAT Leon for 2016.“