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Bentley Works Team Prepares For Le Mans Classic 2025 With Historic Photo Recreation
Four Mulliner Continuation Series Bentleys are set to compete in the Le Mans Classic from July 3-6. This marks the largest Bentley factory team entry since 1930. The lineup includes three Blower Continuation Series cars and one Speed Six, all meticulously prepared by Mulliner's classic racing programme. Each car will be supported by a dedicated engineer and mechanic, ensuring optimal performance during the race.
The team gathered in London on June 24 to recreate a historic photograph taken in 1929. This iconic image featured the original Bentley Boys after their victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The location for this recreation was Mount Street in Mayfair, just steps away from Bentley Boy Bernard Rubin's former apartment. The original photo included legendary drivers like Frank Clement and Woolf Barnato.
The 2025 team hopes to emulate the success of their predecessors, who achieved a dominant finish at Le Mans in 1929. That year, Bentley secured a remarkable 1-2-3-4 finish with Barnato and Birkin's Speed Six leading the charge. The current team aims for similar success at this year's event, continuing Bentley's storied racing legacy.
Race Manager Dave Argent oversees the team's operations, bringing experience from his time with the successful Bentley Motorsport Continental GT3 race team. His expertise will be crucial in managing the four entries at La Sarthe circuit.
In May, the Continuation Series cars participated in the 'Mad Jack' Trophy for pre-war sports cars at Donington Classic. This event allowed drivers to push their vehicles to the limit under race conditions. Owner/driver Mark M. shared his thoughts on racing these historic machines: "These cars take a lot of muscle to hustle around... hats off to the guys who did that for 24 solid hours!"
Jack Boyd Smith Jr., an entrant from the United States, attended Donington with his wife Laura to witness their Blower Continuation Series in action. Smith Jr., known for his expertise on rare pre-war automobiles, expressed his enthusiasm for being part of this unique racing fraternity.
A Unique Racing Experience
Smith Jr.'s involvement stems from his admiration for Bentley's authenticity and craftsmanship: "First, I love the look... But above all I became involved because Bentley was doing it." He appreciates being part of an exclusive group of enthusiasts owning one of only twelve such machines worldwide.
Ben Linde, Special Projects Leader at Mulliner, looks forward to the upcoming race weekend with optimism: "Through our classic racing programme, we give owners of our Continuation Series products the chance to compete as part of a Works team – just like the original cars were raced in the 1920s."
The Le Mans Classic offers an opportunity for these modern-day Bentley Boys and Girls to explore their machines' full potential while honouring a rich heritage. As they prepare for this prestigious event, anticipation builds among drivers and fans alike.
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