Fong, Bentley Sidelined By Practice Crash

Bentley Team Absolute has elected to withdraw the No. 88 Bentley Continental GT3 from tomorrow’s Pirelli World Challenge race at Long Beach after Adderly Fong suffered an accident in the final moments of Practice 2.

Fong was attempting to overtake Patrick Long when the mixed wet/dry conditions caught him out.

“I feel really sorry for the team, sorry for Absolute Racing, sorry for Bentley,” Fong told Sportscaar365. “It was just a mistake on my part.

“There had been Formula Drift the night before, so there was a lot of rubber down in the last three corners and it was down a bit wider than the normal racing line.

“I was just cruising around Pat Long and I got on the rubber which was still wet, and it just went straight into the wall.

Fong said damage to Bentley’s suspension forced the team’s hand.

“The right front hit first, then the rear corner on the right as well,” he said. “Unfortunately the wishbone is pushed through the chassis in the front corner.

“We could get the car back out, but it would just be a double-repair when we got back to the shop. As a safety thing, the team has opted not to continue.

“It’s very unfortunate, and I’m so sorry for everyone who supports us.”

The withdrawal of Fong’s Bentley will result in a 22-car entry for tomorrow’s GT/GTA race.