JRM to Run Bentley for 2017 Champions Morris, Parfitt

Photo: SRO

2017 British GT champions Seb Morris and Rick Parfitt Jr. will return to the series in a new-gen Bentley Continental GT3 run by former FIA GT1 World teams’ champion JRM.

Morris and Parfitt will partner up for the first time since they won the title in 2017 with a first-gen Bentley run by Team Parker Racing.

The deal also marks the return of JRM to the series since it last run a Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 in a one-off appearance at the 2017 finale.

The Daventry-based operation has become the latest team to commit to the new Bentley.

The car is available to customers for the first time this year after a debut season with M-Sport running it as a factory-only car.

Parfitt announced his retirement at the end of 2018 but says he made the decision to return because of the “dream team” combination of Morris, Bentley and JRM.

Morris, meanwhile, was recently confirmed as one of Bentley Team M-Sport’s factory drivers for its expanded four-car program at the Total 24 Hours of Spa.

“JRM Racing completed its last full Blancpain season in 2013 and coming back into GT3 racing we considered our options before making the decision to become a customer team with Bentley,” said JRM Managing Director Jason King.

“We are delighted to be part of the Bentley family and run the new Bentley Continental GT3 in British GT. In addition to the car we are thrilled to have secured two talented championship-winning drivers in Seb Morris and Rick Parfitt Jr.

“The experienced driver pairing puts JRM ahead of the game and we are looking forward to the season ahead.”

Nick Burns, Bentley’s head of motorsport operations, added: “We are delighted to welcome JRM to the Bentley Motorsport family as our latest customer team.

“Since our opening discussion, we’ve been impressed with JRM’s professional operation and we’re very happy that they’ll be campaigning a new, second generation Continental GT3 this year.

“We will be working closely with JRM throughout the year and we’re looking forward to getting started.”

Jake Kilshaw

Jake Kilshaw is a UK-based journalist. He is a graduate of Politics and International Relations.