Bentley Continental GT3 Will Get Public Track Debut at Goodwood

BentleyBentleyUnited Kingdom, 1919 > present37 models
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is revealing the first official specs for its new Continental GT3Bentley Continental GT3United Kingdom, 2013 > present5 photos
, and it will make its public on-track debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed running up the Goodwood Hill.

The GT3-class racer is powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo with 600hp, and Bentley shed 1,020kg (2249lb) from the car to reduce weight to 1,300kg (2866lb).

The 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine is the same basic powerplant as in the road going Continental GTBentley Continental GT V8United Kingdom, 2012 > present22 photos
. With no air restrictors, it produces 600hp, although these will likely be added depending on which series the car is entered.  The biggest change is a dry sump oil system. Power is sent only to the rear wheels through a carbon fiber driveshaft to a limited slip differential via a sequential six-speed transmission.

The front suspension is the same double wishbone layout from the road car, but double wishbones have also replaced the rear trapezoidal link layout for the rear from the road car.

The car’s aerodynamics now include a top-mounted carbon fiber wing, a carbon fiber front splitter, and Bentley changed the shape of the hood, bumpers, fenders and sills.

It is hard for Bentley not to do some luxury fittings, even on a racecar. The steering wheel, door pulls and seats are all hand-trimmed and stitched by Bentley workers.

Now that the build of the first car is complete, it is time for track testing. That will start at the Goodwood Hill this weekend and continue through homologation with the FIA. Bentley believes that the car will be ready for development races near the end of 2013.

The Continental GT3 is confirmed to be racing in the Blancpain Series for the 2014 season and will be sold to customers in other GT3 series.

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