Bamboo Team Ready For Valencia Challenge

Bamboo Engineering head to Valencia this weekend for Round Two of the 2012 FIA World Touring Car Championship.

Alex MacDowall, Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T, bamboo-engineering

Photo by: xpb.cc

The team arrives at the Spanish circuit with driver Alex MacDowall tied at the top of the Yokohama Independents Trophy standings after an impressive debut at Monza earlier this month.

However Team Principal Richard Coleman believes the squad may not have it all its own way this weekend, with the track not necessarily suited to the Chevrolet Cruze.

Valencia’s Circuit Ricardo Tormo is a track which should play more into the hands of the rear wheel drive machines, and with eight BMWs on the grid; this could make hard work for bamboo and its pair of Chevrolets driven by MacDowall and team-mate Pasquale Di Sabatino.

“Valencia is the circuit where bamboo has its worst record,” explained Coleman. “It’s a rear wheel drive track and there are so many BMWs out there, we know it isn’t going to be easy.

“To add to this, it’s also SEAT’s home track. Not only is this a circuit where they have done a lot of running, they are also 50kilos lighter than us.”

However he added that the weather could play into the team’s favour. “Everyone is quite relaxed even though this will perhaps be our most challenging weekend, and that’s because we hope it may be a bit cooler.

“If it is, this will help the front wheel drive cars. We’re also aware that this track didn’t suit Darryl O’Young’s driving style, whereas Alex’s is completely different.

“Pasquale is still learning his way around the car and getting used to the new challenge but we expect he will make another big step forward this weekend.

“It’s hard to say whether Alex will still be tied in the lead at the end of the weekend, but as this could be our hardest weekend, we’re pleased we can get it out of the way early in the season.”