Team Parker Racing to run two Bentley Continental GT3s in British GT Championship and Blancpain Endurance Series 2016

Bentley announces two-car deal with Team Parker Racing
Team Parker Continental GT3s to run in British GT Championship and Blancpain Endurance Series
Bentley Team HTP’s season-long contract comes to an end

Crewe, UK, 26-11-2015 — /EuropaWire/ — Bentley Motorsport today announces that Team Parker Racing will run two Bentley Continental GT3s in the British GT Championship and Blancpain Endurance Series in 2016.

Well known for its championship-winning successes across Europe’s top racing series, Team Parker Racing has selected the Continental GT3 after witnessing its Blancpain Sprint Series and GT Asia Championship wins, and second place finish in Blancpain Endurance Series in 2015.

“We’re extremely excited to have Team Parker Racing in the Bentley Motorsport fold,” commented Bentley’s Director of Motorsport Brian Gush. “It’s important that we partner up with teams that have proven they have what it takes to run race- and championship-winning cars and we are confident that, together, we can have success.

“Having a strong presence in the British GT Championship was a key focus for us for 2016. It is one of the top national GT championships in the world and it’s right on our doorstep, so it makes perfect sense to work with a seasoned championship team like Team Parker Racing and aim for the overall title.”

The deal will see the team run two cars in the Blancpain Endurance Series Pro-Am category and two cars in the British GT Championship.

“We’re absolutely delighted to have signed a deal with Bentley,” commented Stuart Parker, Team Principal at Team Parker Racing. “It is a fantastic British brand, which is close to my heart. It’s been a refreshing experience dealing with the team. From the very first conversation to signing the contract last week, we’ve felt incredibly welcome and close to the factory and that’s a unique experience when dealing with a manufacturer.

“The Continental GT3 has proven itself in Europe, so we know we can hit the ground running in the Blancpain Endurance Series, and we’re looking forward to taking Bentley back to the British GT Championship grid.”

Team Parker Racing joins the Bentley family as HTP Motorsport departs, with the season-long contract with the German team coming to an end.

We had a fantastic year of racing with HTP Motorsport,” Brian Gush continues. “Together, we took the Continental GT3’s first international drivers’ championship win and worked closely to develop and nurture their talented drivers by offering them opportunities in the works team.

“Obviously, it’s disappointing that the deal has come to an end but we look forward to racing alongside them in future and wish them every luck for 2016.”

Details about the Team Parker Racing driver line-ups will be announced in the coming months.

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Mike Sayer
Product and Motorsport Communications Manager
mike.sayer@bentley.co.uk
+44(0)7507 846782

Rebecca Jones
Motorsport Communications Officer
rebecca@viprmedia.com
+44(0)7866 701161

Bentley Motors Ltd
Pyms Lane
Crewe
CW1 3PL

www.bentleymedia.com
communications@bentley.co.uk
@BentleyComms

Notes to editors

▪ Bentley Motorsport is based at the Bentley Motors headquarters in Crewe. From there, the operation runs Bentley Team M-Sport, and oversees three Works-supported teams around the world.

▪ The Continental GT3 is built by the Bentley motorsport team in conjunction with M-Sport. The Bentley GT3 team is led by Bentley Director of Motorsport, Brian Gush supported by M-Sport’s Chief Engineer, Christian Loriaux. M-Sport was originally formed in 1979, and in 1994 M-Sport won national rally titles in Italy, Portugal, the Middle East and Britain, the latter with founder Malcolm Wilson himself behind the wheel. Since 1996, M-Sport has run Ford’s WRC campaigns, including winning two FIA World Rally Championships in 2006 and 2007.

▪ Bentley Motors’ headquarters in Crewe is home to all of its operations including design, R&D, engineering and production of the company’s three model lines, Continental, Flying Spur and Mulsanne. The combination of fine craftsmanship, using skills that have been handed down through generations, alongside engineering expertise and cutting-edge technology is unique to UK luxury car brands such as Bentley. It is also an example of high-value British manufacturing at its best. Bentley employs around 3,800 people at Crewe.

SOURCE: Bentley Motors

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