CHALLENGING SUZUKA WEEKEND FOR EARL BAMBER MOTORSPORT

Earl Bamber Motorsport’s (EBM) return to the Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC) at Suzuka was not as triumphant as its debut in Bathurst. Despite an unsuccessful qualifying, the team rebounded and advanced 11 positions during the 10-hour race.
Taking part in its first race with the newest Porsche 911 GT3 R, EBM’s prime opportunity to get the No. 911 dialed in during Friday’s free practice was hampered by heavy rain.

When the sun returned on Saturday for qualifying, Romain Dumas (France) was behind the wheel for the first session, which was red flagged right as the car’s tires reached their peak. Teammates Mathieu Jaminet (France) and Sven Müller were unable to improve on the worn tires and as a result the No. 911 qualified 24th.

The trio of drivers was able to charge all the way to 10th in the first half of the race before a tyre puncture caused the No. 911 to a go a lap down.

Still, EMB continued to fight on and at the checkered flag the team was classified in 13th place.

EBM resets this weekend in Thailand for the Bangsaen Grand Prix – with 5 cars in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia and a single car in the Thailand Super Series.