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Bentley to Tackle Pikes Peak in Modified Continental GT3

Rys Millen to drive renewable fueled Bentley Continental GT3 on famed mountain…

Photo: Bentley

Bentley will tackle this year’s Pikes Peak International Hill Climb with a modified version of its Continental GT3 run on renewable fuel.

Unveiled on Monday, the British manufacturer is teaming up with customer team FastR for the effort that will compete in the Time Attack 1 division and also feature assistance from former GT3 customer K-PAX Racing.

The Continental GT3 will utilize a biofuel-based gasoline, with various blends currently being tested and evaluated.

It is part of Bentley’s “Beyond100” program that aims to put the luxury manufacturer as one of the world’s leading sustainable automotive brands.

Three-time Pikes Peak champion Rhys Millen has been named the driver for the run on June 27.

“We are delighted to be returning to Pikes Peak for a third time – now powered by renewable fuel, as the launch project for another new element of our Beyond100 program,” said Dr. Matthias Rabe, Bentley’s member of the board for engineering.

“Our powertrain engineers are already researching both biofuels and e-fuels for use by our customers alongside our electrification program – with intermediate steps of adopting renewable fuels at the factory in Crewe and for our company fleet.

“In the meantime, the Continental GT3 Pikes Peak will show that renewable fuels can allow motorsport to continue in a responsible way, and hopefully it will capture the third and final record in our triple crown.”

The car features modifications to both its aerodynamics and engine, including the largest rear wing ever fitted to a Bentley.

Engine updates have been made to the 4-liter turbo V8 along with short side-exit exhausts and a cooling air scoop in place of the rear windows.

The Continental GT3 has entered a “major test and development phase” in the UK before being shipped to the U.S. for altitude testing.

In addition to FastR and K-PAX, the program will receive technical support from M-Sport, which had built and run Bentley’s factory GT3 program, which came to an end last year.

Photo: Bentley

Photo: Bentley

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

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