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Bentley says GT3 a perfect platform for its racing return

Bentley believes the GT3 category offers the perfect platform for its return to international motorsport with its Continental GT model

The famous British marque won Le Mans overall in 2003 with its last programme, and it announced its return to the sport last year in the GT ranks.

Speaking on the AUTOSPORT stage with KX at AUTOSPORT International on Thursday, Bentley director of motorsport Brian Gush said GT racing was a better fit than prototypes this time.

"After winning Le Mans in 2003 we wanted to concentrate on the road car business," he said.

"Then we decided this was the time to get back into motorsport, and to do it the way Bentley did it originally with customer racing and road-based cars."

Gush added that the costs of the LMP1 category and the fact that fellow VW Group members Audi and Porsche will be racing against each other from 2014 made a return to the top class unlikely.

"We're part of a big family now and two of our 'cousins' are there [LMP1] already," he said.

"Bentley going to LMP1 would make things a bit crowded, and with the new regulations it's big budget stuff.

"So while we would like to be in LMP1, I think starting out in GT racing for our comeback is the right place to be.

"Our customers wanted to see us back on the track, and we have a lot of enthusiasts who want to drive the car themselves.

"GT3 lends itself to that. The gentleman racer can buy a GT car for the road but also race one on the track. We see a lot of potential in that."

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