Versatile New Zealander Earl Bamber seeks more Macau glory
Farm boy's rise through the motor sport ranks from go-karts to rallying sees him contest the GT Cup in former Portuguese enclave
Earl Bamber has made a scorching run since defeating Formula One star Daniel Ricciardo for the 2006 Formula BMW Asia championship aged 16.
He progressed through the open wheel ranks until the cancellation of A1GP, in which he represented New Zealand, almost scuppered his career.
At the start of 2013, a break saw Bamber make his debut in a one-make sportscar competition. Fast forward a year, and the 24-year-old clinched back-to-back Porsche Carrera Cup Asia championship titles - this among the achievements that have made him one of the world's most sought-after and versatile drivers.
I had to be very hungry and make the most of every opportunity or I wouldn't have another one. I had to really want to do it
Race commentary? He can do that, too. Not bad for a farm boy, who honed his skills in the wide open spaces of Wanganui.
"Wanganui is a very small town. I learned to drive on our farm when I was three. Dad got me a go-kart for my seventh birthday, and I was actually really slow at the start but I had fun," said Bamber, who will be competing in this month's Macau GT Cup for LKM Racing.
"We never really expected to do it as a profession. I just raced and eventually won some titles. I finished third at the world karting championships and that gave me the opportunity to move into race cars. I moved all the way to GP2 in single seaters and now I'm moving my way through the ranks of GTs [grand touring] as well," he said.