MacDowall stays on at Bamboo

Leading Independent World Touring Car Championship team Bamboo Engineering will retain Alex MacDowall for a second season.

British Touring car graduate MacDowall scored two Yokohama Drivers’ Trophy victories during his maiden season in the WTCC last year, on his way to 11th in the overall drivers’ standings.

“Coming into the WTCC from the BTCC obviously meant I had experience of touring cars, but the World Championship is a whole different level,” said MacDowall, who finished fifth in the Yokohama points.

“I would have liked a few more Indy wins last year but, overall, I think we did a really good job. The experience I’ve got going into this season will be invaluable. I’m confident we’ve got a great chance to arrive in Macau, at the end of the season, in the mix for the title.”

The 22-year-old will partner former Arena Ford driver James Nash, who was confirmed at Bamboo last December.

Bamboo expects overall wins

Bamboo team principal Richard Coleman told AUTOSPORT: “It makes a massive difference having two drivers of a similar ability. If you look at Alex’s results in the second half of the year, particularly in qualifying, you can see he was getting stronger.

“Brazil he was fifth overall, America sixth and in Japan he qualified fourth. If he can carry that form over, and I am sure he will have a bit more confidence, things will definitely be OK.”

The Silverstone-based team is set to strengthen its technical department in a bid to chase ambitious targets.

Coleman believes Bamboo’s new line-up has the potential to challenge the factory Honda effort spearheaded by former WTCC champion Gabriele Tarquini.

“Looking at the overall picture, Honda will take a step forward for sure,” said Coleman. “But at certain tracks the Chevys will still be the cars to beat, particularly in the early part of the year.

“Alongside Alex, Nash is one of the most underrated drivers in the championship, so both should have opportunities to win overall races.”

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/other-news/touring-cars/wtcc/macdowall-stays-on-at-bamboo

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