British GT News: Bentley Conquers Bathurst 12 Hour for First Major GT3 Victory
Bathurst, Australia – (February 2, 2020)
After seven years of trying, M-Sport Bentley has finally secured a big GT3 race victory by winning the prestigious Bathurst 12 Hour, the opening round of the 2020 Intercontinental GT Challenge championship. The British marque has been a regular contender at the Mount Panorama circuit since their first appearance in 2015, but it was the team’s new-for-2018 Continental GT3 model that delivered the long-awaited triumph.
The New Continental GT3
The previous-generation Continental GT3 had reached the end of its competitive lifespan as the GT3 regulations evolved, prompting Bentley and their motorsport partner M-Sport to develop an all-new car for the 2018 season. While the 2019 Bathurst outing proved challenging, the extra year of experience with the updated contender ultimately paid dividends in 2020.
Under the skin, the 2018 Bentley Continental GT3 features a range of upgrades compared to its predecessor. The switch to a modular MSB platform shared with the Porsche Panamera has resulted in a lighter and more centralized weight distribution, while the aero package has been significantly refined to keep pace with the latest GT3 machinery. Bentley’s proven 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, now with a dry-sump system, continues to provide the power.
Bentley’s Customer Racing Program
The Bentley’s triumph at Bathurst marks a major milestone for the British manufacturer’s customer racing program, which has been ramping up in recent seasons. With customer teams like K-Pax and Team Parker Racing joining the fold, Bentley is now making a more concerted effort to spread its wings in the highly competitive GT World Challenge Europe and Intercontinental GT Challenge series.
“This first big victory is sure to whet the appetite for more success as Bentley seeks to cement its place at the forefront of international GT3 competition.”
While the next generation of GT3 regulations is on the horizon for 2022, the current formula’s stability should ensure the Bentley Continental GT3 remains a force to be reckoned with in the years to come.
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