Bamboo hoping to challenge for indie title

Bamboo Engineering made a surprise switch to the WTCC this year, and from the start has shown good form and hopes to continue to shine in Morocco.

Richard Coleman spoke to TouringCarTimes about the teams expectations, the decision to leave the BTCC, and the car.

TcT: The first round was a great run for the team, with Darryl O’Young fighting for the lead in class in only his first race. Do you think he should have settled for second? Or was it a better sight to be fighting for a win from the start?

“It was pleasing to be on the pace straight away, we were unlucky with Darryl not to get pole in qualifying. In hindsight Darryl should have settled for second and he will tell you that himself, but you can’t argue with a driver wanting to win, imagine if had one it would have been a true Chevrolet lock out!”

How are the preparations going for the second round of the season in Morocco?

“Well both our cars are still in freight on the return from Brazil, but we sustained quite a lot of damage on both cars so have put plans into place for when they return, as well as building up spares and sub-assemblies. The Lacetti has never run in Morocco so we have no previous information to go on, but we have run some simulations and have an idea of the set-up required”

Harry Vaulkhard hits the barriers hard in practice in Curitiba

You’re taking the Lacetti to race that it has been to before, but the team hasn’t, how much help are you getting from RML on the set-up of the car?

“Well only as a name we haven’t been before, 80% of the staff have been in the WTCC before and three key staff have worked for RML before including myself. We are 100% independent of RML, but we have a close working relationship with RML and for sure it is a help”.

What were your thoughts were when you turned up and then so did a surprise number of diesel SEAT’s ready to run in the independents championship? Do you agree that they all shouldn’t be eligible?

“Well the topic of TDI’s in the Independents was being talked about during the off season, and although it was never formally agreed this was the resolution that had been talked about, surprised No, relieved Yes. I don’t think they should be eligible in the independents and the compromise found suits everybody”

Bamboo Engineering tested the water by entering the European Touring Car Cup in 2009

The team switched from the BTCC last year – it’s been considered that despite the Lacetti showing to be very competitive in the BTCC, the new regulations, WTCC-spec entries and turbo charged cars may have overhauled the Lacetti – how much was that a factor in your decision to leave?

“Absolutely none what so ever, the Lacetti without doubt was the car to beat in the BTCC last year and won 3 out of 3 at the final race at Brands Hatch and that has not changed overnight.

I would speculate that RML’s decision to run Cruze this year will be a marketing decision securing Chevrolet backing rather than a sporting one, you could argue that the Lacetti would be better suited to British circuits.

Without doubt the Lacetti is one of the top petrol S2000 spec cars in any series.

The BTCC is a fantastic championship with world class drivers and teams, our reasons for leaving were commercial; the WTCC offers a wider platform for sponsors and fits in with our long term plans and aspirations, it will be difficult for us to win the Independents (title) in year one but we hope to Challenge”.