What's the news?
Bentley will continue its year of centenary celebrations at the 2019 Goodwood Festival of Speed with a display of some of its most important cars. The highlight of the brand's attendance at the Festival of Speed will be the Centenary Concours, which will see 30 cars on show including the 4¼-litre 'Embiricos' Special - one of the rarest and most valuable Bentleys in existence.
What else will be there?
It won't just be historic models in Goodwood; Bentley will also display its all-new Flying Spur saloon. Attendees at Goodwood will not only be the first in the world to see this new model in the metal, but will be able to see other stunning examples of Bentley's heritage such as a 1948 Pininfarina Mark VI, a Continental GT Zagato, a Gurney Nutting Speed Six and W.O. Bentley's very own 8-litre from 1930.
Will any be in action?
Bentley will have cars taking part in the famous hillclimb, with four models of particular significance from the company's motorsport history running over the weekend. The Bentley EXP2 was the second experimental prototype that W.O. Bentley built back in 1921. It is believed to be the oldest surviving Bentley in existence and raced throughout 1921 and 1922.
A 1929 Birkin Blower, which was built for Tim Birkin and participated at Le Mans in 1930, will be driven up the hill by Katarina Kyvalova, founder of the Bentley Belles - a group of women drivers who race historic Bentleys. This 'No.2' car remains one of the most campaigned Bentleys and has a value of £25 million.
More recent racers running will include the 2003 Bentley Speed 8. The #7 car won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2003, claiming the company's sixth Le Mans title. Driving that will be Guy Smith, the man who took the chequered flag sixteen years ago. Chasing that will be the 2018 Continental GT3, which is based on the current road car.
Any other new metal?
Both the Continental GT and new Continental GT Convertible will be in action during the whole Festival of Speed, running in the Supercar class. The new Flying Spur and rapid Bentayga Speed will also be making their public debuts as part of the First Glance class.
Dave Humphreys - 21 Jun 2019