Bentley has revealed a new driver development initiative that will place three talented hopefuls in GT World Challenge Europe during the 2020 season.
The Bentley Motorsport Academy will run in partnership with customer outfit Team Parker Racing, with the aim of nurturing new talent and providing a pathway to professional GT competition with the brand.
The selected trio will receive a race programme in the British squad's Continental GT3, including all five races in next season's GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup. The seletection will take place following final test runs at Portimao next week (11-13 December).
The chosen trio will train alongside Bentley's existing factory line-up and receive a tailored racing educational programme. In addition to the five-round Endurance Cup – which includes the marquee Total 24 Hours of Spa – Academy members will also be active participants in the Continental GT3's testing programme.
Team Parker Racing has fielded Bentley machinery since 2016 and won the 2017 British GT Championship with the brand. They have since run the Continental GT3 for two seasons of Endurance Cup competition, scoring a brace of Pro-Am class runner-up finishes in 2018.
Paul Williams, Bentley’s Director of Motorsport, commented: “The programme will focus on driver progression, with a clear link where they can race with Bentley. The Bentley Motorsport Academy will be a training ground for developing new and exciting GT racing talent as the next generation of Bentley Boys.”
The three inaugural members will be revealed at the Autosport International Show in January 2020.