The Bentley Boys: A Legendary Group of Racing Drivers

The Bentley Boys were a group of wealthy and adventurous British motorists who dominated motorsport in the 1920s and 1930s. These gentlemen racers, as they were often called, were famous for their success in endurance races, particularly the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Here is a short bio on each member of the Bentley Boys:

1. Woolf Barnato - One of the most successful Bentley Boys, Barnato was a diamond millionaire and the chairman of Bentley Motors. He won the 24 Hours of Le Mans three times in a row from 1928-1930, and also held the land speed record from 1926-1929.
2. Tim Birkin - Known for his daring driving style, Birkin was a talented engineer and inventor who helped develop the Bentley Blower, a supercharged version of the Bentley 4½ Litre. He won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1929 and set a lap record that stood for several years.
3. Glen Kidston - A wealthy adventurer and former Royal Navy officer, Kidston was a skilled navigator and driver. He won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1930 and set a new speed record for crossing the English Channel in a seaplane.
4. Henry "Tim" Rose-Richards - A wealthy playboy and racing enthusiast, Rose-Richards was a talented driver who won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1929 and 1930. He also competed in other races, including the Monte Carlo Rally and the Brooklands Double Twelve.
5. Sammy Davis - A motoring journalist and racing driver, Davis was a respected member of the Bentley Boys who helped popularize the brand through his writing. He won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1927 and also competed in other endurance races.
6. Dudley Benjafield - A doctor and racing driver, Benjafield was a dependable team player who helped the Bentley Boys win multiple races. He competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans several times, finishing as high as second place.

The Bentley Boys were known for their sportsmanship and camaraderie, as well as their impressive driving skills. Their legacy continues to inspire racing enthusiasts around the world today.

The Cars

The Bentley Boys primarily drove cars made by Bentley Motors Limited, a British manufacturer of luxury automobiles founded in 1919. The most famous model associated with the Bentley Boys was the Bentley 4½ Litre, which was introduced in 1927 and was known for its combination of speed and endurance.

In addition to the 4½ Litre, the Bentley Boys also raced other models such as the Speed Six and the Blower, a supercharged version of the 4½ Litre. These cars were designed to be fast, powerful, and reliable, making them ideal for endurance races like the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

It's worth noting that while the Bentley Boys were associated with the Bentley brand, they also drove cars made by other manufacturers on occasion. For example, Tim Birkin famously raced a supercharged 4.5-liter Grand Prix car made by Alfa Romeo in the 1930s. However, the majority of their racing success was achieved behind the wheel of a Bentley.

Bentley Motorsport nowadays

The Bentley Continental GT3 is a racing car based on the Bentley Continental GT road car. It was first introduced in 2013 and has since become a popular choice for teams competing in various international racing series. In modern racing, the Continental GT3 has been a strong contender, with several notable victories and podium finishes to its name.

In 2016, the Bentley Continental GT3 achieved its biggest success to date, winning the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup. The car, driven by Maxime Soulet, Andy Soucek, and Wolfgang Reip, dominated the series with four wins and five podium finishes. This victory cemented the Continental GT3's reputation as a serious contender in endurance racing and helped to establish Bentley as a manufacturer capable of producing world-class racing cars.

Since then, the Bentley Continental GT3 has continued to compete in various racing series, including the Intercontinental GT Challenge, the British GT Championship, and the Pirelli World Challenge. The car has undergone several updates and improvements over the years, with the latest version featuring a redesigned aerodynamic package and an upgraded engine. Today, the Continental GT3 remains one of the most recognizable and successful racing cars on the track, and it continues to represent the spirit of performance and luxury that has been at the heart of the Bentley brand for over a century.