EBM (Earl Bamber Motorsport) had to wait five years to debut in the Autobacs SUPER GT Series – but at long last, the team will be a part of the series’ return to Petronas Sepang International Circuit.
Today it was announced that Chinese driver Li Kerong and Malaysian driver Jazeman Jafaar will drive the #86 EBM Aston Martin Vantage GT3 in the upcoming 300km Race at Sepang on 29 June. The team will use Michelin tyres and both drivers will make their series debuts.
Jaafar and EBM intended to race at Sepang when it was first announced as part of the 2020 SUPER GT Series, though for obvious reasons, it never materialised. And now EBM – which has bases in Kuala Lumpur and Brisbane – will get to compete in the ultra-competitive GT300 class for the first time.
Li, 24, made his GT World Challenge Asia series debut earlier this year and boasts previous experience in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Asian Le Mans Series, GT World Challenge Europe, Lamborghini Super Trofeo, and Creventic 24H Series. He previously raced for EBM during the 2023-24 Asian Le Mans Series, including the series’ double-header in Sepang alongside team founder/namesake Earl Bamber and Malaysian amateur driver Adrian Henry D’Silva.
“It will be an extraordinary experience for me to get a taste of the top-tier, specially formulated sportscar tyres. I’m looking forward to a great collaboration with this new car,” Li wrote on social media today.
Jaafar, 32, brings experience as a winner in the FIA World Endurance Championship where he was part of the first all-Malaysian driver line-up to win any class in the WEC’s history. He’s also won around the streets of Monaco in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series and was the 2012 British Formula 3 Champion ahead of future stars such as Alex Lynn, Pipo Derani, Harry Tincknell, and Carlos Sainz Jnr.
He’s served as a board member of the Motorsports Association of Malaysia in recent years but is looking forward to getting behind the wheel of the newest Aston Martin GT3 car for the first time. Speaking with Malaysian National News Agency Bernama, Jaafar said: “The biggest challenge is understanding the tyres. In SUPER GT, the tyre regulations are open, so having Michelin onboard gives us a strong package.
“I’ve driven the Aston Martin Vantage before, but not with the updated EVO kit. I’ve been made to understand the aero has seen huge improvements, and we’re ready to take on the challenge at our home race, flying the Malaysian flag high.”
Up to 20 GT300 cars could compete at Sepang alongside the 15 cars from the premier GT500 class. This includes the 18 full-time Japanese GT300 teams with ‘A’ Seed rights from the GTA, and there is room for one more international entry to join EBM.
Images © Berzerk Design
