How overseas team made it to Australia for 12 Hour
Darryl O’Young has detailed his team’s Bathurst motivation after a "punishing" trip to Australia.
O’Young runs Craft-Bamboo Racing, which is the only overseas team at this year’s LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour.
Two-time 12 Hour winner O’Young’s team is based out of Hong Kong.
The team has faced an uphill challenge to make it to Bathurst.
Notably, much of the team has been re-staffed due to Visa issues.
Freight costs also proved a barrier; the team’s car arrived just in time for the weekend.
All the while, Craft-Bamboo Racing maintained its commitment to the race.
That commitment remained true despite the race’s postponement from February to May.
Despite the barriers, O’Young was adamant his team had to race at one of his favourite events.
"This event means so much to us; the last couple of years have been tough," O’Young told Supercars.com.
"When the race was postponed to May, we still kept our commitment to come here.
"For sure, there have been a lot of challenges. Australia has only just opened up.
'It has been tough, but we feel prepared'
"There have been Visa issues with staffing; the logistics were tight, the car made it just in time.
"The biggest challenge has been getting staff here, because some are from different countries.
"Sometimes it has felt we were more like a travel agency than a race team.
"It’s been punishing to get here here, and there’s punish to come with quarantine on the way back.
"It has been tough, but we feel prepared."
Local personnel have filled several crew member positions at the team.
Critically, the team has brought with it a strong driver line-up, headlined by Maro Engel.
O'Young (R)
Engel, a former Supercar driver, will be joined by DTM ace Daniel Juncadella and talented amateur Kevin Tse.
The team also has backing from Mercedes-AMG, which last won the 12 Hour in 2013.
"A reason we wanted to come here is because we feel we have a competitive line-up," O'Young said.
"We feel we can aim to win, but Bathurst is Bathurst; it’s really difficult to win.
"So many things can go wrong, there are so many unknowns; then there’s the rain, and the Pro-Am element.
"Being a works-supported car for Mercedes-AMG, the race is important to everyone."
This year’s grid features 15 GT3 cars; 12 of the 20 cars feature a Supercars driver.
Craft-Bamboo is part of Mercedes' field
O’Young knows that despite a smaller grid, the fight for victory will be intense all the same.
"It’s such a competitive field," said O’Young, who won the race for Audi in 2011 and 2012.
"There are a lot of factory drivers, and a lot of Supercar drivers.
"I don’t expect it to be any easier to win; I think there will be more green flag running with fewer cars.
"It’s important that we’re here… it’s true motorsport. Everyone has banded together to keep it alive.
"I expect a really strong field for 2023, but it’s a great race and we’re happy to be here."
Tickets for the LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour are on sale now.
