James Winslow’s continuation with Craft-Bamboo is among a raft of driver announcements ahead of this weekend’s China Endurance Series opener.

Winslow and Craft-Bamboo Racing together won the drivers’ and teams’ titles in last year’s inaugural season when it was then known as the FRD LMP3 Series.

The Australian-based Brit will again pilot the #95 Ligier JS P3, but this time with former Radical Australia Cup driver and sportscar racer Neale Muston.

Muston too has prototype experience, including winning the Gulf 12 Hours with Winslow in 2016.

“I’m really pleased and looking forward to another season with Craft-Bamboo Racing and getting the chance to defend our LMP3 title from last year,” said Winslow.

“The team is one of the very best and always produce good cars and I expect 2018 to be no different.

“Last year we won the series and without doubt we head to Shanghai with the same goal in mind.”

Added Muston, “I am particularly excited to be racing with reigning champions Craft-Bamboo in the China Endurance Series.

“Having raced across Europe and Asia in recent seasons I’m hoping to bring experience to the team in the quest to defend the title.”

The sister #96 Ligier JS P3 also features an Australian in the form of prototype debutant Nathan Kumar.

Kumar, who finished third in the 2017 Australian Formula 3 Premier Series, will drive with South Korean GT3 racer Rick Yoon.

“I feel extremely privileged to be driving for a team with as much pedigree as Craft-Bamboo Racing,” said Kumar.

“This being my first endeavour in a prototype should be the beginning of an exciting new challenge and I can’t wait until the lights go out and we get racing.”

At Eurasia Motorsport, West Australian Aidan Read will partner Japanese gentleman driver Nobuya Yamanaka for selected rounds, starting with Round 1 in Shanghai.

Read will dovetail the drive with his Blancpain GT Series Asia campaign with Craft-Bamboo.

“I’m really happy on a number of counts,” he said.

“Firstly, to be invited to race with Nobuya in the China Endurance Series as he is a great guy with a real passion for racing and to do it with Eurasia where I have enjoyed many wins in Formula Masters and in LMP3.

“It’s also great to be racing in a competitive series in a prototype again after a year focusing on GT3.

“I’ve had a few days testing alongside Nobuya recently and I’m really fired up to do a good job for him and the team as well as myself.”

The news comes off the back of Tim Macrow’s announcement that he again race in the series with S&D Motorsports Malaysia.

The five-round 2018 China Endurance Series starts with opening practice tomorrow at the Shanghai International Circuit, and features a race on each of Saturday and Sunday.