Bentley one-make race series in the works

A 25-strong squadron of competition Bentleys will be unleashed on the world's racetracks in 2016.

Plans for a one-make series to rival or surpass the Ferrari 458 Challenge are well under way at Bentley's home in Crewe, the company's chief reveals to CarsGuide.

"For the future we are at present evaluating the potential of a luxury one-make cup, and this could take place on four continents, for about 25 entries," Wolfgang Durheimer, CEO of Bentley, says at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

"We organise everything. We do everything. They have high-performance racing with high-performance cars."

We want to be the number one

Durheimer says the Bentley racers would be positioned midway between the company's road-going Continental and the GT3 racing version of the same car, which challenged for victory in this year's Bathurst 12-Hour race and is returning to Mount Panorama in 2016.

He says air-conditioning will be essential in the cars, since he expects the series will attract well-funded 'gentleman' drivers without the skill or fitness of full-time professionals.

But he is keen on the championship and what it can bring to Bentley buyers who want more than just a road car.

Bentley Continental GT3 at the 2015 Bathurst 12 Hour.

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Bentley Continental GT3 at the 2015 Bathurst 12 Hour.

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Bentley Continental GT3 at the 2015 Bathurst 12 Hour.

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Bentley Continental GT3 at the 2015 Bathurst 12 Hour.

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Bentley Continental GT3 at the 2015 Bathurst 12 Hour.

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Bentley Continental GT3 at the 2015 Bathurst 12 Hour.

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Bentley Continental GT3 at the 2015 Bathurst 12 Hour.

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"Once you are signed in you have luxury track time in a high-performance car. I hope that we come to a good conclusion."

Durheimer also confirms for the first time that the Continental GT3 program will continue beyond the original three-year commitment, which has now seen 19 cars built for racing.

"Don't assume we stop next year. Racing is part of our DNA. We are already evaluating the potential of the next car," he says.

"Emotionally, it can drive our company to new horizons. Internally, it helps us to work in a very discipled way and to be competitive and win.

"We want to be the number one and we intend to be the winner in the luxury performance game. We like to do the extraordinary things, not what everybody does."