There was a rumor early in the summer that BentleyBentleyUnited Kingdom, 1919 > present37 models
1460 photos
5 videos
wanted to return to racing, but because of AudiAudiGermany, 1909 > present83 models
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and PorschePorscheGermany, 1931 > present43 models
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competing in the premiere LMP1 class, Bentley would likely attempt to race in GT3. The rumor has turned out to be quite true. Bentley is going racing in late 2013 with the new Continental GT3Ford Ford Focus (UK) Gen.3United Kingdom, 2011 > present207 versions
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. The concept of the race car will be on display at the Paris Motor Show. 

As the name indicates, the Continental GT3 will be homologated under FIA GT3 rules. It did not announce what engine the car will use. That means that it will have to use the production chassis. Other cars in the class are Mercedes SLS AMG GT3Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3Germany, 2011 > present19 photos
, Ferrari 458Ferrari 458 Italia GT3Italy, 2011 > present4 photos
, Lamborghini GallardoLamborghini Gallardo Gen.1Italy, 2003 > 201332 versions
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and Audi R8 LMSAudi R8 LMS UltraGermany, 2012 > present6 photos
. 

"The Continental GT3 is the realisation of a dream we’ve had ever since the launch of the Continental GT. The new GT Speed is the perfect car for us to develop into a racer, and our work so far has shown huge potential. The Continental GT3 is set to show the world what the Continental GT is capable of in its most extreme form, and establishes a solid foundation for Bentley’s long-term motorsport plans,” said Bentley CEO Dr. Wolfgang Schreiber. 

Bentley said that the car will be ready to race in late 2013, and the car will be ready for 24 hour racing. FIA GT3 cars are not currently elligible to race in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, but it could race in the Nürburgring 24 Hours, BrtiCar 24 Hours, 24 Hours of Dubai and similar series. With the current rules of the Grand-Am Series in the US, the Continental GT3 would be elibigible. It is possible if the rules stay the same that the Continental GT3 could race in the 2014 merged American Le Mans Series/ Grand-Am Series.

The Continental GT3 will be testing throughout 2013.