Crewe, 30 June 2025 — Bentley is once again set to make history. For the first time in nearly a century, a four-strong factory team of race-prepared Bentleys is heading to the legendary Le Mans circuit – not as museum pieces, but as competitive machines in the revered Le Mans Classic. Representing the largest Bentley works entry since 1930, this formidable lineup features three Blower Continuation Series cars and a single Speed Six Continuation Series example – all meticulously built and prepared by the Mulliner Classic team in Crewe.
The 2025 Le Mans Classic, running from July 3 to 6, will see Bentley’s Continuation Series cars contest their class with factory-level support and ambition. Each entrant will benefit from a dedicated engineer and mechanic, echoing the race team structure of Bentley’s golden age of endurance racing. Overseeing this landmark campaign is Race Manager Dave Argent, a seasoned figure in Bentley’s motorsport legacy, including his tenure as Technical Manager for the victorious Continental GT3 programme.
A Historic Recreation in the Heart of London
To mark the occasion, Bentley brought together the cars and drivers on Mount Street in London’s Mayfair – the very site of a famous post-Le Mans 1929 photograph capturing the original Bentley Boys alongside their victorious machines. That moment, steeped in legend, was recreated with stunning authenticity, just steps away from the former residence of Bentley Boy Bernard Rubin.
In 1929, Bentley secured a dominant 1-2-3-4 finish at Le Mans, with Woolf Barnato and Tim Birkin’s Speed Six leading the charge. Fast forward to 2025, and the modern-day heirs to the Bentley Boys’ legacy are ready to race not just in tribute, but in earnest.
Among the group photo’s modern counterparts is Ben Linde, Mulliner’s Special Projects Leader, who underscored the programme’s unique appeal:
“Through our classic racing programme, we give the owners of our Continuation Series products the chance to compete as part of a Works team – just like the original cars were raced in the 1920s. Not only does this create a new generation of pre-war era Bentley Boys and Girls, it also allows our customers to explore the full potential of their machines, which were of course designed and engineered to race.”
Preparation, Practice, and Passion
This landmark entry didn’t come about overnight. In early May, all four cars and their owners convened at Donington Park for the prestigious ‘Mad Jack’ Trophy – a pre-war sports car event that served as both a proving ground and a shakedown for Le Mans.
For Mark M., driver of the Speed Six, the experience was both physically intense and exhilarating:
“These cars take a lot of muscle to hustle around…hats off to the guys who did that for 24 solid hours! I had a good dice at the end of the race, which is more fun than circulating on your own. I think I bettered my qualifying time, so I’m getting the hang of it.”
He added, “I’ve driven an authentic 1930 Bentley in a race. Not many people can say that.”
Meanwhile, American collector and JBS Collection founder Jack Boyd Smith Jr. – a recognised authority on pre-war automobiles – flew in to watch his Blower Continuation Series machine in action. His car, to be driven by Stuart Morley at Le Mans, nearly reached the podium in 2023 and is now a strong contender in 2025.
Smith Jr. explained his deep connection to the project:
“First, I love the look. When our Blower is on display at the JBS Collection it always draws a crowd. But above all I became involved because Bentley was doing it. It’s authentic. There are only twelve of these machines in the world and owning one makes you part of a special fraternity of true enthusiasts.”
A Legacy Reborn
This unprecedented entry into the Le Mans Classic is more than a nostalgic exercise. It’s a living, roaring reminder of Bentley’s engineering prowess and racing heritage. By reviving the traditions of its pre-war glory days, Bentley is not only showcasing the remarkable capabilities of its Continuation Series but also writing a thrilling new chapter in its motorsport saga.
As the flag drops at La Sarthe, the eyes of vintage racing enthusiasts around the world will turn once more to the iconic British marque – where history and horsepower converge in one of the most evocative events on the motorsport calendar. And just like in 1929, the Bentley Boys — and Girls — will be racing not just for victory, but for legacy.
