Well done Bentley!
Discussion
I have always been a firm supporter of anything British, and it was good to hear that Bentley came in 3rd and 4th at the very first American Le Mans that they have entered. Hopefully, when the race goes to France, Bentley will be able to challenge Audi for their title, or at least second place.
The Germans have always had excellent cars, Audi is no exception. They finished 1st for the 3rd or 4th year in succession (I’m not quite sure), and as I understand, the team that usually wins at Sebring normally gets 1st in France, is that right?
I’m gradually learning more every day about Le Mans, and I have no idea why I didn’t start to get into this earlier as it seems to have a touch more excitement on and off track, compared to F1.
Well done Bentley
Does anyone know what’s happening to the Bentley site, all I'm getting is a car draped with the Union Jack! And nothing else!
The Germans have always had excellent cars, Audi is no exception. They finished 1st for the 3rd or 4th year in succession (I’m not quite sure), and as I understand, the team that usually wins at Sebring normally gets 1st in France, is that right?
I’m gradually learning more every day about Le Mans, and I have no idea why I didn’t start to get into this earlier as it seems to have a touch more excitement on and off track, compared to F1.
Well done Bentley
Does anyone know what’s happening to the Bentley site, all I'm getting is a car draped with the Union Jack! And nothing else!
nubbin said: Yeah, it's great, but aren't the Bentleys merely modified and re-badged Audis anyway?
That does have an element of truth in it, same engine, many shared components, Audi even ran an identical looking coupe back in 99/00 before putting all of their efforts in to the LMP car.
Given they are owned by the same parent as well??
Bennno
RichB said:NOt if they had been modded by Audi not to win! A bit like saying Minardi should be on the pace with Ferrari.
sparkey said: No they're a completely different car. If they had been modded Audis they would have won for the last couple of years !!
Not so, because Ferrari don't own Minardi and therefore have no interest in thier winning. Minardi are just a customer.
Bentley are however owned by Volkswagen and it is hardly in thier interest to pay for a race team and at the same time plan for them to get beaten. The development of the Bentley was for that reason kept separate from the Audi. (Albeit that they may have had access to many of the same parts).
sparkey said:
RichB said:NOt if they had been modded by Audi not to win! A bit like saying Minardi should be on the pace with Ferrari.
sparkey said: No they're a completely different car. If they had been modded Audis they would have won for the last couple of years !!
Not so, because Ferrari don't own Minardi and therefore have no interest in thier winning. Minardi are just a customer.
Bentley are however owned by Volkswagen and it is hardly in thier interest to pay for a race team and at the same time plan for them to get beaten. The development of the Bentley was for that reason kept separate from the Audi. (Albeit that they may have had access to many of the same parts).
Sparkey,
Since when are minardi a customer of Ferrari? think you might be getting them mixed up with Sauber??
Audi wanted to win Le Mans 3 times in a row, this has now happened, they then want to build Kudos in the Bentley brand in time for the launch of their new car next year.
Its all been very carefully orchestrated, including VW Audi developing the Bentley version of the engine significantly over the winter without the same activity going on with their own engine unit!
Baring a major incident, I would be very suprised if there are not 2 Bentleys on the podium at Le Mans.
Bennno
Sticking my two bit in - The Bentley is designed and built in the UK, the engine is basically the same unit but has different restrictions so the engine maps will be totally different.
The Bentleys have also been run by a UK team for the last two years, although Joest have stepped in this year to cover one of the cars.
The hard top Audis from a few years back were also deisgned and built in the UK, that was a trial year to see which format worked out the best!
The Bentleys have also been run by a UK team for the last two years, although Joest have stepped in this year to cover one of the cars.
The hard top Audis from a few years back were also deisgned and built in the UK, that was a trial year to see which format worked out the best!
Bentley are still a British racing team, okay they may used some Audi parts(maybe a whole car), but it's still a British team. That's what counts, would'nt you agree?
If England won the world cup, you would be right behind them, and rightly so. But are they all English players? It doesnt really matter in my view.
If England won the world cup, you would be right behind them, and rightly so. But are they all English players? It doesnt really matter in my view.
Ah, football. I have a friend who gets very worked up about "plastic" Man Utd supporters - people who don't come from Manchester basically. And yet, how many of the team are from Manchester? He supports Middlebrough, and as far as I can tell pretty well the entire team are from South America. How does that work?
benno is spot on with the prediction: i think Bentley 1st & 3rd, Audi 2nd.
it will be a planned podium for the launch of their new Bentley Continental this year at Le Mans.
Personnally I think the new Continental looks like an Audi (especially the front) not beefy enough for a Bentley!
there goes my invite for champagne
it will be a planned podium for the launch of their new Bentley Continental this year at Le Mans.
Personnally I think the new Continental looks like an Audi (especially the front) not beefy enough for a Bentley!
there goes my invite for champagne
Hmmm, er ,I had a good point though, if it were true... 
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