Craft-Bamboo Racing qualifies in fifth for Spa

Craft-Bamboo Racing has qualified in fifth place for the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) Six Hours of Spa-Francorchamps in the #99 Aston Martin Racing Vantage GTE.

Aston Martin Racing works drivers Fernando Rees (BR) and Alex MacDowall (GB) took part in the 30-minute qualifying on the 7km-long circuit. The mixed weather conditions and drying track made tyre choice difficult but the #99’s engineers chose to stay out on wets for the duration of the session.

“Although the track was drying, we made the decision to stay out on wets at the driver change because there wasn’t a full clear dry line,” explains Fernando. “We actually started the session in similar conditions to free practice one but the car felt much better, showing we have made good progress with the set up.”

Rees handed over to his British team-mate who used tyre strategy to get the most out of the wet rubber on the partially dry track. “We cooled the tyres down with a slower lap because the wet tyres are better on a dry track when they are cool,” he explains. “Once cooler, I put in my first qualifying lap and then repeated the process. It worked and I was pleased with my laps.”

The pair will race tomorrow alongside team-mate Darryl O'Young (CN).

The success of qualifying was however, overshadowed by the passing of Craft-Bamboo Racing co-owner Nigel Vaulkhard following a mountain biking accident on Thursday.

“We made the difficult decision to carry on racing this weekend because we know that is what Nigel would have wanted,” comment Richard Coleman, CEO of Craft-Bamboo Racing and close friend of Vaulkhard. “The team has shown great courage in continuing and I am extremely proud of them; I know Nigel would have been too.”

The Six Hours of Spa-Francorchamps starts at 14.30 CET on Saturday 3 May.

Craft-Bamboo Racing