Dyson Racing Poised for Bentley PWC Program

Photo: Brecht Decancq Photography

Fresh off its first outing in the Blancpain Endurance Series, the new Bentley Continental GT3 is set to make its North American debut later this year in the Pirelli World Challenge, potentially with one of America’s most successful sports car racing teams.

Multiple sources have confirmed to Sportscar365 that the famed British manufacturer is preparing a two-car PWC effort, with all signs pointing towards Dyson Racing running the FIA GT3-spec machines in the sprint race GT championship.

M-Sport boss Malcolm Wilson revealed during the Monza weekend that two cars have been sold to a team in the U.S., and while a Bentley spokesperson would not confirm a program, he admitted that they continue to evaluate their options in North America.

Dyson Racing VP and Sporting Director Chris Dyson could not be reached for a comment. The Poughkeepsie, N.Y.-based operation, which celebrated its 30th anniversary last year, has kept its core staff employed despite having yet to announce a program for 2014.

It’s believed that longtime Dyson pilots Guy Smith and Butch Leitzinger could be in the frame for drives, alongside the possibility of Chris Dyson.

Smith, who won the 2003 24 Hours of Le Mans with Bentley, is contesting the Blancpain Endurance Series in one of M-Sport’s factory entries, while Leitzinger, who was also part of the manufacturer’s LMP900 program, was on-hand at Monza last weekend as a guest of the team.

The Continental GT3 made its race debut in December’s Gulf 12 Hours at Yas Marina Circuit with Smith and Dyson alumni Steven Kane and Andy Meyrick. Two additional customers programs have been announced for British GT, including one for Kane and another former Dyson driver, Humaid al Masaood.

An official announcement on its PWC program could be made as early as this week. 

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John