Bentley’s much-anticipated return to motorsports started off on a good foot this weekend, as the Continental GT3 made its on-track debut at the Gulf 12 Hours of Abu Dhabi. The freshly-minted team ran a respectable race, and after a close battle with a Ferrari 458 GT3, came home in fourth place overall with minor damage.
Bentley says the Continental GT3 performed to its expectations, despite missing out on a podium finish. Bentley driver Guy Smith, who co-drove the Continental GT3 with Steven Kane and Andy Meyrick, said, “Today has been amazing. All three of us found that we could really push the car to the limit, and when we realized we were on for a good result it encouraged us to really test its abilities. It’s given us a lot to look forward to in the Blancpain series next year.” The car proved to be reliable and competitive during both six-hour endurance sessions, and ran as high as third place. The desert track’s heat did not have any apparent adverse effects on the car, and it finished with damage to the underfloor but otherwise in good shape. The Continental GT3’s next step is to enter the full 2014 season, starting in Monza on April 12.
Bentley’s Director of Motorsport, Brian Gush, said, “In running an all-new car for the first time, our main goal today was to finish the race and be consistent. We’ve achieved this, and then to finish fourth in a race with such established competition is extremely encouraging. We leave Abu Dhabi with confidence that we will have a reliable and competitive package for 2014, when the hard work really starts.”
