As they prepare for the eagerly-awaited Bentley Continental GT3’s debut next month at the Gulf 12 Hours in Abu Dhabi, M-Sport Racing began a four day test at Snetterton today (Monday) with two examples of the new car.
All three drivers were in attendance, but Andy Meyrick was not on active duty for the first day. Instead, Guy Smith (#8) and Steven Kane (#7) were behind the wheel for the initial runs, which at no point exceeded four laps and totalled no more than 30 laps between them. Initial reports suggest that there were the usual niggles for a test – shocks, brakes, fuel pressure etc. – but that the biggest issue was the ambient temperature (6°C), which meant that the Pirelli tyres were a long way from reaching their optimum performance. A van was reportedly despatched to pick up a consignment of Avon wets, which work in lower temperatures, but it hadn’t returned by the time DSC left. A stock of Avon slicks were on hand, but the track didn’t dry to the level where they could be employed.
It is not yet known which of the cars will be running at Yas Marina.
One final note, the entire M-Sport crew were decked out in Bentley livery, with the exception of Guy Smith, who turned up in an old Rebellion Racing race suit. It is reported that he was the butt of many a joke from the rest of the crew as a result.
