Last updated at 12:28, Tuesday, 19 February 2013

CUMBRIAN rally experts M-Sport have been named as the technical partners for one of Britain’s most prestigious motoring names.

TECHNICAL: The Bentley Continental GT3. M-Sport will be working as Bentley’s technical partner in the design and development of the new Continental GT3 race car

Bentley has announced it will return to motor sport in the GT3 category and has partnered with the Cockermouth-based rally experts.

With detail design now under way at Bentley’s new motorsport department at the factory in Crewe, the Continental GT3 is on schedule to make its first on-track appearance by the end of 2013.

M-Sport will now work on the design of specialist components and offer focused technical expertise during the development of the programme.

M-Sport’s credentials include the successful running of World Rally Programmes since 1997, including winning two Manufacturer’s World Rally Championships.

Bentley’s Director of Motorsport, Brian Gush, said: “Not only do we now have a world-beating operation in M-Sport as our new Technical Partner, but we have the honour of showing our Continental GT3 concept at Autosport International.

“The car continues to attract interest from around the globe, which is very encouraging as we progress the detail design. The whole team is looking forward to the exciting months ahead.”

M-Sport will design and develop specialist components, together with design work and project organisation being undertaken in-house at Crewe. The company’s Dovenby Hall base in Cumbria complements the Crewe-based team and factory facilities, together creating an array of expertise and equipment that will help to ensure the development of a competitive GT3 racecar worthy of Bentley’s return to the racetrack.

Commenting on the new partnership, M-Sport’s managing director Malcolm Wilson said: “Joining forces with Bentley to help create the new Continental GT3 is a rare privilege.

“Bentley’s design and analysis work to date has shown that the Continental GT road car can become an extremely competitive race car, and we are looking forward to capitalising on our extensive competition car development experience and success to help Bentley realise their goals.”

First published at 11:39, Monday, 11 February 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk