Partnership Announcement

MERCEDES-AMG TEAM CRAFT-BAMBOO RACING UNVEILS LIVERY AND DRIVER LINE-UP

Tuesday, 10 May 2022

Mercedes-AMG Team Craft-Bamboo Racing releases the livery and driver line-up of the #91 Mercedes-AMG GT3 for the 2022 Bathurst 12 Hour, the opening round for the Intercontinental GT Challenge Powered by Pirelli. The event is scheduled to take place at the Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales from the 13th to the 15th of May. With the revised Pro-Am class structure for 2022, the Mercedes-AMG Performance Team boasts an impressive driver line-up of two Mercedes-AMG drivers in Maro Engel (DEU) and Daniel Juncadella (ESP) alongside amateur driver Kevin Tse (MAC). It will be the first time at Bathurst for both Juncadella and Tse, but with the two drivers boasting extensive race experience, the team is confident it has the right line-up to fight for the win at the endurance classic.

The Hong Kong team unveils a brand new livery for the Bathurst event, in collaboration with event partners Evisu, Motul, Contempo Concept and Tarmac Works. The striking new livery features the famous Evisu seagull on both sides of the car as well as the brand Kamon emblem on the roof. The car will also sport the iconic red and white Motul logos, as the Mercedes-AMG GT3 will be powered by the legendary Motul 300V lubricant and keep main components such as the engine and gearbox reliable and performing at maximum capacity for the entirety of the 12 hours.

Contempo Concept will feature on the bonnet to complete the design, of what will be the team's 5th appearance at the 12 Hour. Finally, to celebrate this entry, Tarmac Works will exclusively create a 1/64 model car version of the car, which will be gunning for victory at Bathurst.

This year the Bathurst event will be contested primarily as a Pro-Am event with one FIA bronze graded driver required in each car. Being the first race of the Intercontinental GT Challenge season, the team will put up their best effort to score maximum points for the German manufacturer as an official Mercedes-AMG Performance Team at Mount Panorama. The 6.2km Mount Panorama Circuit is a historic and indelible part of Australian motorsport history. As the name suggests, the track winds up and down a hillside and remains one of the most challenging GT circuits in the world. The circuit presents plenty of overtaking opportunities, set to make it an exciting season opener.

Darryl O'Young | Team Director, Mercedes-AMG Team Craft-Bamboo Racing: “I’m really pleased to be back at the Bathurst 12 Hour as a Mercedes-AMG Performance team. Our drivers are strong, we have worked many times over the years with Maro and Kevin, and we are very happy to welcome Daniel to the team this year. Bathurst is a very unique circuit, and although it is Kevin and Daniel’s first time on the mountain, they boast years of experience at circuits such as Macau Grand Prix as well as Daniel’s experience at Nurburgring. This is quite important as driving at high speed close to walls is something not so easy to adapt to. I’m also glad to have a great list of partners this year to ensure our team is able to perform at the highest level. Really excited to get the week started.”

Maro Engel | Driver, #91 Craft-Bamboo Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3: “It’s amazing to finally race at Bathurst again, it’s such an amazing track. Obviously, nearly the last 2 years have gone by without a race there and it has been a long wait. So it is fantastic to get back to Bathurst and to do it with Craft-Bamboo Racing, it's great. I know the team very well, we had a very strong race together there in 2020, narrowly missing a podium due to a late puncture. We will be looking to make amends and we’ll be as best prepared as possible. So I am looking forward to a strong run and hopefully a strong challenge to try and win the race. It's a race I haven't won so far, so it's definitely one that’s very high up on my bucket list. Let's see how we go but I am very excited for this challenging race and I know we’ll be strong once the race comes.”

Daniel Juncadella | Driver, #91 Craft-Bamboo Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3: “This is an amazing event and for me, it's a proper debut at Bathurst, I have never been there. Although I have done so many laps online, I know the track very well virtually, but I have never physically raced in Bathurst. It is amazing to be a part of this team and this line-up for such an important event for GT3. This will also be my first exp with Craft-Bamboo Racing. We were supposed to race in Kyalami at end of last year, but it couldn't happen due to the pandemic circumstances. So I am finally getting my proper debut for the team, it should be very fun and I think I am very well prepared for this one as well. Time to enjoy the process and see what comes out of it.”

Kevin Tse | Driver, #91 Craft-Bamboo Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3: “I am very excited to join Craft-Bamboo Racing for this race in Bathurst. It’s my first time in Bathurst, so to be honest, there is a lot of pressure, especially since I am in a very competitive car with Maro and Dani. They are the superstar AMG Pro drivers, so I am really looking forward to driving with them and learning from them. I haven't been to Bathurst, but I hope that since I am a Macau driver, been racing in Macau for the last 13-14 years in the Guia Street Circuit, that experience will hopefully would me in Bathurst. Right now I am doing a few rounds in the British GT also in the AMG, so hopefully, I will be warmed up for Mount Panorama. This year is a little different since there is no Pro Class, all the cars are Pro-Am. So we have a good chance to maybe win the race but I am not going to jinx it. It will be interesting and I'm looking forward to it.”

ABOUT CRAFT-BAMBOO RACING

Craft-Bamboo Racing is an official performance team of Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing, competing on motorsport’s world stage in sprint and endurance events around the year. Enjoying a multitude of successes through numerous race programs, Craft-Bamboo Racing’s achievements are a testament to the team’s ability to push its boundaries.

The team has years of world championship experience and is truly a unique company in the global motorsports industry, bridging motorsport between Europe and Asia. With its headquarters in Hong Kong and workshops in Sepang and Silverstone, the company is uniquely positioned to deliver global race programs and marketing activations.

ABOUT INTERCONTINENTAL GT CHALLENGE

Intercontinental GT Challenge Powered by Pirelli represents the highest echelon of long-distance GT racing. Since 2016 the series - overseen by SRO Motorsports Group - has brought together some of the world’s great standalone endurance events, which now also carry a collective significance.

A World Championship in all but name, Intercontinental GT Challenge titles are awarded to the best performing manufacturer and driver(s) over the course of a globe-trotting campaign featuring races on as many continents. The world’s biggest luxury automotive manufacturers also consider the Intercontinental GT Challenge as a key component of their customer racing programmes.

SP TOOLS | EARL BAMBER PORSCHE LIVERY RELEASE 2022

Tuesday, 5 April 2022

SP Tools is pleased to release the new design and livery of the Earl Bamber 2022 Porsche #5 Entry.

The 2021 Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia season with Earl Bamber motorsports driven by Matthew Payne was a very exciting and promising partnership with several podium finishes over the season. Payne has proven that karts to cars is a promising first step.

This is where the SP Tools Karts to Cars Pathway program had stemmed from and now has #5 Ryan Schule lined up for the 2022 season ready to make his mark.

Tom Tucker – CEO SP Tools: “I’m thrilled with how the 2022 design has come to life. We have seen it on track at the recent test day in QLD and it stands out with our SP Racing blue accompanied with a orange and black finish. We’re looking forward to Ryan showcasing what the SP Tools Karts to Cars pathway program can do. He will be one to watch and proud to be able to give him the opportunity to step up from karts to cars alongside Earl Bamber Motorsports”.

Barry Hay, Porsche Cars Australia’s Motorsport Manager: “It’s fantastic to see the new SP Tools livery for Ryan Suhle unveiled. Porsche Cars Australia’s partnership with SP Tools, continues to go from strength to strength and as the ‘Official Tool Partner’ of both Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia and Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Series, we couldn’t ask for a better partner both on and off the track. The collaboration between SP Tools, Karting Australia, Patrizicorse and the Earl Bamber Motorsport Team for the Karts to Cars Pathway Program, also reinforces the opportunity for the best young talent within Australasia to reach the highest levels of the sport via the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid.”

Ben Jenkins, Earl Bamber Motorsports Race Engineer: ‘After some great results together in ‘21, it’s awesome to extend our partnership with SP into the future and be a part of the Karts to Cars ladder. It’s great to have the guys at SP Tools increase their involvement to a full car this season and how awesome does it look. With the combination of EBM, SP and a driver of Ryan’s calibre we’re sure we’ll at the front, hunting for trophies from Round 1 this weekend at the Australia GP.’

Suhle #5 SP Tools livery will roll out on the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit in Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia’s first practice at 11:45am on Thursday 07 April.

RYAN SUHLE JOINS EARL BAMBER MOTORSPORT FOR DEBUT PORSCHE PAYNTER DIXON CARRERA CUP AUSTRALIA SEASON

Friday, 28 January 2022

Ryan Suhle will join Earl Bamber Motorsport (EBM) with support from SP Tools for the 2022 Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia Championship.

After leading the standings in the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge in the shorted 2021 season, Suhle is making the exciting step up to the category to race the new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Car (Type 992).

“I’m very excited to be not only working with Earl Bamber Motorsport, but also to make the transition into Carrera Cup Australia. The new cars for this year look fantastic, and the depth of the field will make for a really competitive season.”

Suhle is hoping after some covid impacted years that the national calendar put together by Porsche Motorsport Australia makes for a great championship. “Hopefully after some turbulent years for all of us including everyone involved in the racing community, we get a full season of racing in for 2022. It feels like everyone is just itching to get back to the track and go racing again! The calendar put together by Porsche Motorsport is impressive. It’s every event you’d want to drive at and be at which will make it so exciting for everyone involved.”

Earl Bamber Motorsport is growing their Carrera Cup Australia squad for 2022 with two confirmed entries in Suhle and Team Porsche New Zealand driver Callum Hedge who announced his step up to the category in December.

The Queensland based squad made the trip down to Sydney Motorsport Park during the week to collect the two brand new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (Type 992) Cars that they will field in this year’s championship.

Earl Bamber commented that he was looking forward to seeing their line up of Carrera Cup debutants on the grid this year.

“Its really exciting to have Ryan join EBM in 2022, driving for SP Tools. I think he is going to be a great addition to the team as he was very strong in Sprint Challenge last year, being a race winner. I think he will be a strong contender in this year’s championship and I am looking forward to watching him progress”

SP Tools will be onboard as the title sponsor for Suhle’s debut campaign. “We were keen to continue our sponsorship with Earl Bamber Motorsport after a successful debut year in 2021. Ryan is the perfect driver to take over the wheel in the SP Tools Porsche. Ryan’s previous success in the category makes him the perfect candidate as lead driver in the SP Tools Karts to Cars program. We are looking forward to a successful 2022 with both EBM and Ryan” said Tom Tucker , CEO of SP Tools.

Suhle is looking forward to his next challenge in the Porsche Paynter Carrera Cup Australia and is thankful for the backing he has received.

“I’m really proud to have the support and be able to represent a brand as widely recognised as SP Tools. They’ve done so much for Motorsport, and have always had a presence from grass roots all the way to the Supercars championship here in Australia. It will be really exciting to fly the flag for SP Tools and work with the team at Earl Bamber Motorsport this year.”

The first round of Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia gets underway at the Australian Formula One Grand Prix on the 07-10 April.

SP TOOLS ANNOUNCES KARTS TO CARS PATHWAY PROGRAM

Monday, 17 January 2022

SP Tools are developing a Karts to Cars pathway program through their current partnerships with Karting Australia and Porsche Motorsports Australia.

SP Tools is pleased to announce a pathway program that bridges the gap for young talented drivers making the transition from karting to the country’s top-level Porsche categories and competition.

SP Tools has partnered with the Patrizicorse Kart Team and the Earl Bamber Motorsport Team to enable the best young karters a pathway into the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Series and onto Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia Championship, as they ascend the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid.

The SP Tools program is designed to guide the scouted talent within the Patrizicorse Australian Kart Championship Team to a partially funded seat in the SP Tools Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars run by Earl Bamber Motorsport. The drivers will then have the support needed to ascend Porsche’s proven Motorsport Pyramid via the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Series and Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia Championship.

Ultimately, the SP Tools Karts to Cars Pathway Program will not only create a defined pathway from Karts to Cars for young drivers, but a platform for these young drivers to potentially reach the highest levels of the sport both locally and internationally.

SP Tools Executive Chairman , Kevin Davis :

“After more than 30 years of sponsoring Australian motorsport at the highest levels, we are looking forward to increasing our involvement at the grass roots level. Over the years we have watched many young drivers struggle to find their way into a professional drive. If this collaboration enables a few to make their mark on the world of motorsport, it will be a legacy SP will be proud of.”

Porsche Cars Australia Sales & Motorsport Director, Toni Andreevski:

“It’s fantastic to not only enrich the partnership we have with SP Tools, but provide the framework for all the Junior development initiatives of each our Carrera Cup teams. As the ‘Official Tool Partner’ of both Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia and Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Series, this collaboration between SP Tools, Karting Australia, Patrizicorse and the Earl Bamber Motorsport Team, will only reinforce the opportunity for the best young talent within Australasia to reach the highest levels of the sport, via the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid.

Karting Australia Chief Executive Officer, Kelvin O’Reilly:

“Karting Australia’s partnership with SP Tools is one that covers every level in the sport, from the introductory program of Junior Sprockets, through to the elite level of the sport in the Australian Kart Championship. The ‘SP Tools Karts to Cars ’ pathway program is an exciting new initiative by the team at SP Tools that will assist in building a clear pathway for those who wish to pursue a career from karting into top-level motorsport. We’re proud to partner with Kevin, Tom and the team at SP Tools in providing the opportunity for children to get their first taste of karting in the Junior Sprockets program right through to the top level of our sport in the Australian Kart Championship – and everything in between.

The ‘Karts to Cars’ program is a great extension of the platform that SP Tools provides to the next generation of motorsport talent. We look forward to the exciting times that it will bring for many of our young drivers.”

Patrizicorse Managing Director, Michael Patrizi:

“SP Tools have been the major supporter of grass level motorsport through the Junior sprockets program and the Australian Kart Championship. It gives me great pride that our racing team, Patrizicorse, will be the official Kart racing team that will assist this program and was selected by SP tools as an important partner to help and assist our future racing stars. Our team has a great track record of young drivers reaching higher categories quicker than most and that’s because both in and out of the kart, we do a great job of preparing them for that next step. With SP Tools involvement, young drivers have never had a better chance to ascend the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid in Australia in conjunction with our partners Earl Bamber Motorsport. I believe this is the perfect platform for progression from Kart racing to top-level Car racing.

Earl Bamber Motorsports Owner, Earl Bamber:

“The continued support and development of the best young drivers from around the Australasian region has been a key priority for Earl Bamber Motorsport and Porsche for some time now. Porsche offers a well-established, proven pathway that opens doors for many drivers, including myself, who have gone onto full-time careers at the highest levels of the sport both locally and internationally.”