Friday 17th October 2003

No Le Mans for Bentley in 2004

End of the three year race programme confirmed

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Bentley has confirmed that it won't be competing in the 2004 24hr race at Le Mans.

Chairman and CEO Franz-Josef Paefgen mumbled recently: "Le Mans is part of our rich heritage and is very important to us. It has also helped us revive the unique spirit of Bentley and it has created a new motorsport heritage for the marque, but when we announced our return in November 2000 we always said this would be a three year programme. In the past three Le Mans we have been more successful than we could have dreamed, culminating in first and second places for the Bentley Speed 8 at this most famous of races this year. This has provided an excellent boost for our image and a successful communications platform for the introduction of the Continental GT, which has been launched to great acclaim ."

He continued: "I’m not saying we are leaving motorsport for good, and we will certainly continue to review our position. But being pragmatic, all our efforts need to be concentrated on the next phase of our regeneration, and our priority is delivering a new range of Bentleys to our rapidly expanding customer base ."

[andy_b]

better to leave when there at the top I suppose

[DustyC]

I heard that Aston Martin would be running an LMP900 and a GT Vanquish. Any news on this yet?
Would be good to see AM back at LM

[ian d]

it was only ever a marketing ploy to sell a TT on steroids.

the audi le Mans looks awfully similar to the GT, don't you think?

[williamp]

DustyC said:

I heard that Aston Martin would be running an LMP900 and a GT Vanquish. Any news on this yet? Would be good to see AM back at LM

At the new gaydon factory a few weeks ago I asked about a works racing team.

They said that they had no plans as yet, but "would support a privateer entry at any level..."

they also said that if they WERE to do a proper works effort, then it would be in the mould of the Bentley-Le mans: ie they would only enter a series if they had a good chance of winning outright. They dont want to take part, but to win their class/ race...

And that takes a lot of cash, which Ford is putting into F1 at the moment...

[neilsie]

williamp said:

They said that they had no plans as yet, but "would support a privateer entry at any level..." And that takes a lot of cash, which Ford is putting into F1 at the moment...

Thats what was said in '89 when AM pulled out due to Ford bosses not wanting to support Jag and Am. Pity the AM smashed itself up at Goodwood this year.