Bentley not to compete in VLN and Nürburgring 24 Hours in 2019

Bentley Motorsport has decided to not compete in VLN and the Nürburgring 24 Hours race 2019, just like in the previous year. But it might be possible that they will return the following year with the new Continental GT3. That is at least what Brian Gush, Bentley’s Director of Motorsport, said – according to Motorsport-Total.com. „At this moment there are no plans that we would race on Nürburgring. However, we would like to do that in the coming season.” Brian Gush also mentioned that this plan for the coming year would certainly include racing in VLN, to gain experience and collect data regarding tires and aerodynamics. For the fans of the mighty Bentley Continental GT3, this means they will have to look at the Spa 24h race in July, instead. Bentley Motorsport had already confirmed back in December that they will enter both the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup and Intercontinental GT Challenge in 2019 – participating in the season’s longest race and highlight, the Total 24 Hours of Spa, with a four-car Pro-class entry.

Bentley, Spa24h 2018
Photo: Swoosh Motorsport Communications / Stefan Schneider

Bentley entered the Nürburgring 24 Hours as a factory supported operation for the first time with HTP Motorsport in 2015, finishing in 8th position overall. In 2016 they joined forces with Christian Abt Racing (as HTP started a partnership with Mercedes AMG), and ended the race in 7th place. 2017, however, they suffered a drop back with positions 15 and 20 in the overall qualification. May be as a consequence, 2018 Bentley had not been racing any more on Nürburgring, neither in VLN nor in the 24 Hours.

Bentley VLN 2017
Photo: Swoosh Motorsport Communications / Stefan Schneider

There had been some speculations as to whether or not Bentley would return to the Ring in 2019 with the new Continental GT3, but it seems they will now collect more experience with the new car in the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup and Intercontinental GT Challenge, before then coming back to the Green Hell in 2020.

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