Misfortune for Craft Bamboo Racing at Le Mans

Friday, June 20, 2014

The 2014 24Hours of Le Mans didn't get off to a very good start for Aston Martin Racing with poor performance at the official test day followed by not receiving all the balance of power concessions that they had hoped for. With all ceremonial eventualities now out of the way it was was time for the drivers to ply their trade behind the wheel.

Wednesday 11th June saw the first action on track with an open practice session in the afternoon and into the evening followed by the first qualifying session running from 22.00 till 24.00Hrs. Towards the end of the final session and whilst sitting P6 in class with Fernando Rees at the wheel the #99 Craft Bamboo car lost control through the Porsche Curves, striking the barriers several times causing significant damage to the car and barriers resulting in a red flag and the abandonment of the final 30 or so minutes of the session - such was the damage.

The cars estimated collision course with the barriers has been depicted onto the above photos where the replaced sections of armco are also apparent.

Having been extracted from the car Fernando Rees was taken to the circuit medical centre with an ankle injury however the car was to suffer a worse fate. Upon inspection the team discovered that the damage caused to the car was significant and had intact twisted the chassis. Having visually seen the car myself in the garage on the Friday this damage was difficult to see to the untrained eye - a punctured hole in the drivers side rear wheel well and creases to the side impact protection frame also on the drivers side being all that was visible.

Despite strenuous efforts from the team it was decided to retire the car early the next day. "Its disappointing to have to withdraw the car from the race but it cannot be fixed here to the necessary safety standards" said Craft Bamboo CEO Richard Coleman. Later during Friday it was also good to see Fernando Rees walking around the garage unaided supporting the team in any way he could.

With the loss of the #99 car and the imminent arrival of many corporate guests from the cars sponsors intense negotiations between Craft Bamboo and Aston Martin Racing on the Thursday night resulted in the Interush logos being transferred on to the factory #97 car.