Bentley coming back to racing?

[Tim the Grey]

An intriguing article in Autocar, interviewing Wolfgang Duerheimer, Bentley/Bugatti's new Boss.
He says he DEFINITELY wants to take Bentley racing...
NOT in LMP1, it clashes with Audi/Porsche plans.

So where? Talk in the article of Continentals in GT categories? I don't see it meself!

Answers, on a postcard, to Wolfgang Duerheimer, Bentley Motors, Crewe, UK, please...

[Adam43]

Until someone denies this I won't believe it!

Perhaps a one make series? Otherwise it is a clash and I agree with you on GT.

[FIRE]

V8 Superstars?

[Tim the Grey]

That may fit, but it's a bit, well, Low Profile?

[AGD]

This article from a few weeks back suggested they won't be racing at Le Mans with whatever they come up with.

[Tim the Grey]

Pretty much how I read this interview. No to any sort of LMP effort, but something in the GT line.

[The Badger]

A Bentley Gt ..... cant see that happening at all ..... TANK !!! But them people questioned the wisdom of TWR with a Volve estate in the BTCC .

I want to see Bentley in P1 ..... against Porsche . Let Audi go GT for a change , and Porsche & Bentley go head to head . Two differant companies with two differant markets .

[Félix]

Can you say single-make trophy? A proven recipe, and the only one that can work with their gigantic road cars.

[rich07]

Originally Posted by Félix

Can you say single-make trophy? A proven recipe, and the only one that can work with their gigantic road cars.

I can say that. Bentley builds a one make racer and makes money off drivers who race in their series and buy spare parts..Worked for Ferrari.

[old man]

Nah.... can't see that. Perhaps they will build a smaller car and go for the FIA World Crown, is that going to have a GT class?

[Carsandmotorracing]

I hope so, just got to find what series.

[Tim the Grey]

Elsewhere in the article, he DOES discuss weight reduction, and carbon fibre in road cars... But we're still talking a massive frontal area?
It MIGHT just work in, say, FIA GT1, up against those Nissans, but otherwise?

[helgi]

We've discussed it at a Russian site and decided that they are going to bring their new diesel SUV to Dakar.

[Carsandmotorracing]

Originally Posted by helgi

We've discussed it at a Russian site and decided that they are going to bring their new diesel SUV to Dakar.

Well they are building an SUV, so that spunds like a pretty good racing plan.

[CTD]

Bringing Bentley back racing, can be in everything from 1-->10 years!
So it might not clash with Audi/Porsche later on (otherwise see what they did in 2003).
The Continental design is too big for a GT1 (even though the Maserati MC12 was a big car), but a replacement of the Continental, or a new "Greenline" sportscars?

[Jonerz]

Having not read ANY of these articles: Formula 1?

Chris

[pablocomics]

Yatch racing is elite enough for Bentley and more propper for the Continental size

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Jonerz

Having not read ANY of these articles: Formula 1?

Chris

They haven't decided what series, or the timescale for returning to racing.

[dj choc ice]

The flying spur could possibly fit into DTM but Bentley don't exactly compete directly against BMW and Audi. They do sort of compete against Mercedes in road car terms with say the CL coupe with the Conti GT.

Personally I can't see Bentley running a GT programme with the conti, it's too big and heavy IMO. The most likely thing you would think would be a LMP programme in the near future, that would make more sense pitting them against Aston Martin and the supposed Jaguar P1 programme.

[GT6]

Very unlikely that the VW group would want 3 of there makes in the LMP so unless porsche romours are untrue or Audi pull there programme very unlikely.

[rich07]

Originally Posted by dj choc ice

The flying spur could possibly fit into DTM but Bentley don't exactly compete directly against BMW and Audi. They do sort of compete against Mercedes in road car terms with say the CL coupe with the Conti GT.

That could work-like a tank. Heavyweight class? Flying Spur v S Class v 7 Series v S8 (?)

Dont think Audi would want them in there as they're both part of VAG.

[Dead-Eye]

I think a one make series is the most likely option - and 20 Continentals going at each other would look pretty epic I think .

[Tim the Grey]

Hmmm. I had a bit of a double take at 2 cars side by side at traffic lights in Sunday.
Continental GT, and an M3. Stone me, the GT is a LOT smaller than I thought.
Mebbe they COULD do a Continental GT-E...

[dj choc ice]

Originally Posted by Tim the Grey

Hmmm. I had a bit of a double take at 2 cars side by side at traffic lights in Sunday.
Continental GT, and an M3. Stone me, the GT is a LOT smaller than I thought.
Mebbe they COULD do a Continental GT-E...

Size wise there isn't a lot in it but I can't help but think it would be a tough job getting the Conti down to GTE weight. The main issue is what engine would they use? then on those grounds, would the ACO allow it to race?

Either way, if we get a Bentley LMP or GT car, it would be brilliant to have Bentley back in sports car racing.

[Tim the Grey]

Take all that leather trim out, that should help. Starting with the new Continental Supersport Coupe won't hurt either.
Seriously, it's 500KG more than an M3 in road trim.
Add Carbon, Perspex, and Titanium, take out 4 wheel drive, it shouldn't be THAT hard to match an M3 for weight. Then persuade the ACO to offer one or two waivers. I'd love to hear a W12 on open pipes....