A long offseason of work between veteran sports car team Dyson Racing and legendary British marque Bentley has resulted in a partnership that will see both parties come together to bring the brand’s Continental GT3 to the Pirelli World Challenge series, writes Marshall Pruett.
The twin-turbo V8-powered coupes will race in factory colours as longtime Dyson drivers Butch Leitzinger, Guy Smith, and Chris Dyson prepare for a debut with one car at Road America June 19-21 before expanding to two of the GT3 stunners later in the year.
“We have a long history in GT racing, and have been seeking the right manufacturer alliance for a few years now,” said Dyson. “The Bentley connection was a natural fit for us because of the historic relationships we’ve had with some of the top people there.
“Whenever they’ve gone racing, they’ve gone to win and have a rich history of success. Their goals mirror ours, and the timeline for the Continental GT3’s readiness fit ours and we’re excited about Dyson Racing’s move to Pirelli World Challenge.”
Rumours of a Dyson Bentley PWC program have circulated since 2013. With Smith’s longstanding Bentley ties forged by his overall win for the manufacturer at Le Mans in 2003, the chance to showcase the purebred GT3-spec Continental led the Dyson team to shift its attention to a new series.
“The GT3 platform has attracted a lot of worldwide interest, and once Bentley chose to build the Continental to the GT3 regulations, it was of immediate interest to us,” Dyson added. “We were already considering this Pirelli World Challenge option last year, and the common GT3 platform, along with the opportunity to partner with Bentley, made this an easy, mutual decision. It’s a good fit for both of us.”
Driving commitments in the European Le Mans Series with co-pilots Tom Kimber-Smith and Matt McMurry will limit Dyson’s availability this season, and with Smith set for the Blancpain championship with M-Sport, a bit of juggling will take place on the PWC lineup.
“Butch will race the car at Road America, and with our other obligations, we’ll work out the timing on who’s in the car between the three of us for the remainder of the year,” said Dyson.
Poughkeepsie, N.Y.-based Dyson Racing and M-Sport, Bentley’s works racing arm, will share in the development of the Continental GT3 to tailor its performance to a new series and new tracks. With M-Sport leading Bentley’s Blancpain Endurance Series effort with the Continental GT3, Dyson expects to see a steady flow of information crossing the Atlantic this season.
“It’s a two-way street on the development of the car, and all we do will be shared with the M-Sport team, and vice versa,” he explained. “The car’s still in its infancy from a racing standpoint, and that’s a lot of what attracted us to this project. There’s a lot to be learned with this car on American tracks and we’re confident in our ability to develop the car in Pirelli World Challenge.”
The final build on the team’s first Continental GT3 and subsequent testing will fill the calendar until the Road America PWC round arrives in just over two months, according to Dyson.
“Now the work begins and there’s a significant amount to be done, but everyone at Dyson Racing is excited about this new chapter and we can’t wait to go racing with Bentley.”
Brian Gush, Head of Motorsports for Bentley.
“Now that our European motorsport programme is up and running, securing a return to racing in our biggest market is the natural next step. It’s extremely exciting to be back here with a racecar, and I’m delighted to be working with the Dyson team. Their operation reflects and embodies so many Bentley values, and I’m very confident in their abilities. This venture is the next step in the Continental GT3 plan, which we hope will eventually see our customers racing in Bentleys all around the world.”
Rob Dyson, Team Principal for Dyson Racing.
“I think it is a terrific opportunity to be working with people we haven’t worked with before, but who lead by their reputation. It will be good to be in a new series, joining a number of competitors that we have raced with before. We are honored to be part of the Bentley team and to be helping grow their sales in North America. It is great to be partnered with a prestigious marque that has had such a major impact in road racing since the turn of the century.”
Chris Dyson, driver and Sporting Director for Dyson Racing.
“I couldn’t be happier. It is an ideal program for us at this point in the team’s evolution and we are thrilled to be linking up with a motivated partner like Bentley in a series that is ascendant. I am thrilled to have our family of drivers back together again. Teammates do not come any more professional than Guy Smith and Butch Leitzinger and we have a great history of working together. Our team is up to the challenge and I am grateful for Bentley’s faith in us. We intend to do a superb job for them both on and off the track.”
Guy Smith, Driver for Dyson Racing.
“I am over the moon to be back in the Dyson racing family. It has been my home for the last nine years and to do so in the beautiful Bentley Continental GT3 is a dream come true. The most successful times in my career have been with Bentley winning Le Mans in 2003 and with Dyson Racing winning the American Le Mans Series championship in 2011. Both have played such a huge part in my career and I certainly feel very proud to represent both organizations. I’m looking forward to racing in the Pirelli World Challenge. It is a series that is quickly gaining in stature. All you have to do is take a look at an entry list to see the quality and quantity of cars on the grid and you know that it is a great place for Bentley to showcase the Continental GT3.”
Butch Leitzinger, Driver for Dyson Racing.
“Two of the things that I am proudest of in my career have been my long-time association with Dyson Racing and the Dyson family, and my two years with Bentley at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2001 and 2002. To be able to come back with both of them is bringing together two very significant elements of my racing career in a fitting manner, and I am really looking forward to what we can accomplish together.” Butch Leitzinger, Driver for Dyson Racing
