Bentley Thanks

[speedwell]

Just a short thank you to all those British who came to Le Mans this year and supported Bentley to a 1 - 2 victory.

I was a Data Engineer for the No 8 car for the last 8 months. It was my first year on the otherside of the fence working on a team so the first since 1999 to see the track sober.

As usual there were the highs and lows. I wont forget the faces of some of the locals driving around town with all the radio gear on checking the reception back to the pits before driving down the mulsanne. Unfortunately No 8 had a few problems in the race which meant we caught up then fell back. but ill never forget it.

Looks like next year will be back getting drunk again on the other side of the fence. If you see a guy wearing a green bentley shirt with a drink might be me. I cant wait till next year for the week away in the campsite talking rubbish as the night goes on with your best mates away from everything relaxing. oh and theres a race going on.

Thanks again for all the support it didnt go un-noticed

David

[Steve Pyro]

David, welcome to the forum and thanks for your comments.
I was one of many shouting and cheering myself hoase at the Bentley cars for the last 3 years.
It looks as though your comments confirm the various rumours and beliefs that the team will not return next year, even though we all hope to see the cars at La Sarthe again.

[Chris24]

You're welcome ! I even lent my support to the team at Sebring as well. Walked all round the circuit at Sebring and Le Mans with my Bentley flag on the end of a fishing rod. Got lots of attention. Particularly at Sebring.
Just wish I could also support you guys at Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta as well.

So which of those 32 monitors / laptops were you sat behind in the pits !

[Bobblehat]

Thanks for the the thanks. Well done!!!

When I meet Guy Smith at the Bentley meet at Silverstone, I sort of got the impression that at least he was going back, pos in a green car.

[Chris24]

Since the team now appears to be over and done with. I don't suppose that there is any supplies of the rather nice Rolls Royce Verdant green paint left over, looking for a good home !
Could always use some more for building my models !

[gibberish]

Just a short thank you to all those British who came to Le Mans this year and supported Bentley to a 1 - 2 victory.

You were very welcome.  It was a marvellous sight to see, and a hell of an experience.  Thanks to the team, made you feel truly proud to be British

[Andy Zarse]

To begin with in 2001, I wasn't that bothered about a Bentley win, I somehow never felt it was truly British in it's soul. It was just good that some car, any car, was competing in LM GTP.

But what a fantastic looking car, a proper closed cockpit prototype Le Mans sports car in the same vein as the JagXJR, Porsche, Sauber Merc etc. So I was slightly surprised to find myself feeling really quite emotional as it crossed the line to the massed ranks of Union Jacks. And I was sober at that point as I was driving later.

So good on ya all, hope the BRG of Bentley will grace La Sarthe once more.

[Robbo SPS]

The Bentley boys and Girls were great , really got into it . 2001 was my favoutite year , the British hard core cheering so loudly that the Mike person at the End of race Trophy session asked for us to be quiet .

No way . Beautiful car , really graceful and quiet , typical Bentley.

If only you would come back next year . Brits on TOP

[speedwell]

Thanks for all your comments.

I was only involved with the team since november last year and since then have always tried to explain to many a spectator about the Bentleys background. If i had a pound for everyone who said it was just an audi with a roof, i would be able to buy everyone on this forum a drink and be able to do that for a week! The Bentley was designed in this country and all parts were manufactured in this country. The engine was built by the same factory as the audis however was a bespoke engine designed for the car. all other parts including electronics were unique to the car. It was a car to be proud of.

Thanks

[Marky Stylus]

Speedwell are you still with the team or have you finished there??

Drop me a line off list if you have left, I too was involved (from a distance) with the team but more so with the design and so on with RTN......

You right about attitudes, it's amazing how many people thought the car was all German, the project was managed out of Crewe, designed and built in England but the finances came from Germany.......

The fact that the Bentley absolutely trounced the record books on most accounts seems to have been forgotten....

Cheers,
Mark  

[Ruptured Duck Motorsport]

Well I enjoyed seeing the Bentley each and every time it went past, seemed to get more attractive each time!  Now that the lads from Crewe arent returning, lets hope that someone else joins the ranks of the LM-GTP, the class that epittamises Le Mans for me.

[speedwell]

Posted by: Marky Stylus  Posted on: Today at 01:16:50pm  
Speedwell are you still with the team or have you finished there??

Drop me a line off list if you have left, I too was involved (from a distance) with the team but more so with the design and so on with RTN......
 
Mark what did you do.

I was based at RTN for 8 months would i have seen you?

Long story but i have left the team to design race cars again, i cant talk about what ones or for people i cant mention. LOL

[Robbo SPS]

The British car marque, ran british drivers ( majority ) was based in Britain , etc etc etc , who cares where the money comes from , Anyone bank with HSBC - Nuff said .

The Bentley had and always will be remembered as being British with TRUE British spirit.