Craft-Bamboo Racing confident for championship turn around at the Hungaroring

Lukoil Craft-Bamboo Racing is confident that they can begin to turn their championship challenge around at the Hungaroring this weekend. With the 4.381km Hungarian track utilizing a more conventional layout, Lukoil Craft-Bamboo expects their three drivers to be able to take the fight to the series’ leaders. With straight-line speed less important thanks to a twisty composition of varying corners and elevation changes, the Hungaroring is one of the most demanding circuits drivers will face this season, and one that the TCR International Series visits for the first time this weekend.

Pepe Oriola is looking to bounce back in Budapest after a race two puncture in Austria prevented him from scoring valuable championship points and his second good result of the weekend. He has managed to hold onto his P6 position in the standings though and is now determined to claw his way back to the top in Hungary. Oriola has consistently been pushing his SEAT Leon towards the front of the field and with the pace he showed in qualifying last weekend, the Spaniard could take his first pole-position of the season on Saturday.

James Nash climbed two spots last weekend to reach P7 and close the gap on his teammate, Oriola. The British driver will be aiming to make the jump with a push for the podium and high points finishes in both races to ensure that he is leading the trio of Lukoil Craft-Bamboo drivers at the end of the weekend. Nash is excited for his return to the Hungaroring and is hoping his prior experience will give him the edge over his rivals, but the #54 driver will be facing an even more competitive field than usual, thanks to an increased entry list filled with local drivers.

Daniel Lloyd made his TCR International Series debut last weekend in Austria and impressed early on with his pace before taking a solid points finish in race two. It will be his first time at the Hungarian circuit and with only two 30 minute practice sessions, he will need to adapt to the 14 corners quickly if he is to master a flying lap in qualifying late Saturday afternoon. Lloyd is an experienced touring car driver and if his first TCR International Series performance is anything to go by, he should be standing on top of the podium very shortly.

Hungaroring Schedule (GMT +2)

Friday 16 June

15:15 - 15:45 30 min. TCR International Series Free Practice 1

Saturday 17 June

12:15 - 12:45 30 min. TCR International Series Free Practice 2
16:50 - 17:25 35 min. TCR International Series Qualifying

Sunday 18 June

09:10 - 09:35 25 min. TCR International Series Race 1 (14 laps)
13:00 - 13:25 25 min. TCR International Series Race 2 (14 laps)

Quotes

Richard Coleman, CEO of Craft-Bamboo Racing: “I am pleased to finally be moving to a circuit that we won’t be penalized on by the BoP. We should be competitive here, and we need to be. Our target is to be back in the championship hunt over the next six races. Daniel Lloyd getting up to speed and taking points from our rivals will be key to that, James and Pepe are driving better than ever before so I am confident going into this phase of the season."

Daniel Lloyd, #17: “I am looking forward to the race weekend, it was a good first weekend with the team and it is great to be working with Craft-Bamboo again. I showed how quick I could be last weekend and I am hoping that this circuit will suit the car a bit more. Our strengths were in the corners in the last round and that is what this circuit has, so I hope that we will be even further up the grid in Hungary. It is another new circuit for me, so I need to get to grips with it as soon as possible, which will be another challenge.”

James Nash, #54: “I haven’t raced at the Hungaroring since 2013 and I’m looking forward to going back. The atmosphere is sure to be electric with Hungarian hot-shots Firenc Ficza and Norbert Michelisz both racing. Mind you, I’ll be working hard to try and send both them and the local fans home a little disappointed.”

Pepe Oriola, #74: “I hope to score some good points here at the Hungaroring. It is a track where our car should be strong and I hope to get some podiums for the team and my championship this weekend.”