Bamboo targeting 1.6 turbo Cruzes

Bamboo Engineering plans to stay in the WTCC and run cars powered by the 1.6 turbo engine next season, with RML’s title winning Chevrolet Cruze at the top of their list.

The British team finished in second place in the Yokohama Independent Teams’ trophy in their debut year, and is looking to continue in the WTCC and perhaps expand into other categories as the team grows.

Team Principal Richard Coleman told TouringCarTimes:
“Yes, 100% our target is to stay in the World Touring Car Championship in 2011 and we are having talks to ensure that. Don’t be surprised if bamboo enter another high profile championship.”

“Bamboo is an engineering company with its staff highly experienced in touring cars, rallying and sports cars so if we find good people to work with we will run cars in other series”

With BMW 320s with 1.6 turbo’s expected to flood the independents’ category next season, Richard is not fazed by the new competition that would be faced by an Bamboo run Cruze.
“BMW Motorsport have an exceptional record in WTCC but I think the Cruze will be difficult to beat, knowing how much effort has gone in at RML and they have been working on 1.6 long before anyone else.”

Bamboo Engineering also confirmed that they will definitely run a 1.6 litre turbo unit next season, with the 2.0 litre normally aspirated engine unlikely to be competitive. The team have ex-RML Cruze’s high on the agenda, but they’re not the only car they’re considering.

“I highly doubt anyone will run a full time 2.0 campaign next season,” said Coleman.

“I think the performance difference will be 1.5 seconds on average circuits and even up to 3 seconds in Macau!”

“There will be round by round 2.0 entries, but I don’t think any serious indie team will be there with 2.0, i think everyone by round two or three will be 1.6 turbo.”

The team have put up for sale their Chevrolet Lacetti S2000 cars which they ran this year, and in the BTCC in 2009.