Brits talk up new Bentley racer's chances

BENTLEY’S first mainstream racing team since 2003 has been talking tough about their all-new car’s chances as it runs through its race preparation.

Guy Smith, who was part of the team that won the overall Le Mans 24-hour crown in a Bentley Speed 8 10 years ago, is leading another team of three as the Continental GT3 racer hits the track at next month’s Gulf 12-hour endurance race in Dubai.

“After four months of hard work and development testing, we definitely feel ready to start focusing on our race performance,” Guy said.

“Running the car against the competition for the first time is really exciting, and I’m thrilled to be back behind the wheel of a Bentley race car.”

Alongside Guy, and the second of the new Bentley Boys, will be Northern Irishman Steven Kane, who added: “I’ve driven hundreds of laps in the Continental GT3 already and it’s got massive potential.

“The two most important things in racing are reliability and speed, and our work so far has shown that our Continental has both in abundance.”

This sort of tough talk will need to be backed up by results when the car, which makes extensive use of lightweight materials including carbon fibre to shave around a ton off the road-going car’s weight, goes up against rivals from Ferrari, Aston Martin and Nissan.

The all-British line-up is completed by Andy Meyrick, who among other experience has raced the remarkable DeltaWing concept. “I grew up near the Bentley factory in Crewe and still live locally and so I’m extremely passionate about the brand and proud to be one of the newest Bentley Boys,” he said.

“Joining Guy and Steven for the first race is an honour, and as a team I know we can deliver a great result.”

By Press Association reporter