Since Bentley stepped away from the racing scene after a huge 2003 victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, we’ve hoped to see them return. Finally, they’ll be returning at the 12 Hours in Abu Dhabi Dec. 13 to take on another title for an endurance race, this time as Team M-Sport Bentley. Will they win only to disappear from the starting line again? Or will they possibly stick around and push for more gold medals after the 2014 FIA Blancpain Series?
They will be entering the race with a Bentley Continental GT3, which has been designed and prearranged to be ready for European durability race tracks, made to be dependable no matter the conditions. While the racing version of the Continental is a track built, dry-sump variant, it still holds of all the Grand Touring luxury. Needless to say, the drivers will have no problem staying comfortable.
“The car has performed extremely well so far, and has matched or exceeded our simulations in every respect. With 3000 km of testing completed already, the team is very pleased with progress and we’re gaining confidence in our package. We’re all looking forward to the Gulf 12 Hours in December and can’t wait to run the car against the competition for the first time in its first test race,” said Brian Gush, Director of Motorsport at Bentley in a Sept. 26 press release.
The Continental GT made GT3 produces 600 bhp from Bentley’s efficient 4-Liter twin-turbo V8. The power is distributed to the rear wheels through an Xtrac six-speed sequential transaxle gearbox with a racing clutch and paddle shifter inside. Carbon Fiber composites have been added throughout to enhance efficiency through lowered weight. The prestigious racecar will be garaged in M-Sport Ltd’s committed motor facility at Bentley’s factory. We look forward to seeing what the GT3 will be capable of at the 2014 FIA Blancpain Series, and in the races to come in its future.
