Bentley will, for the first time, enter a car into an ice-racing contest. The specially-prepared Continental GT will compete in the 2020 GP Ice Race in Zell am See, Austria, this weekend. Better yet, not only is it Bentley's first time racing on ice, it's also the storied brand's first time with a female racer - Catie Munnings will become the first 'Bentley Boy' who's not a boy. She's a former FIA European Rally Championship Ladies Trophy winner, former host of the CBeebies television programme Catie's Amazing Machines and daughter of former rally driver Chris Munnings.
Bentley Boy who's not a boy
"The opportunity to race with Bentley at Zell am See is one that I couldn't miss. I'm completely blown away by the car, and I actually still can't believe I'm getting let loose in a Bentley to do an ice race. I spent some time on ice in the car just before Christmas. At first I thought it would feel heavy, but I was amazed by how dynamic, nimble and responsive it is. It can dance like a lightweight rally car, and I can't wait to race it at such an iconic event" said Catie.
Close to production standard
The Continental GT that Munnings will be racing will be kept as close to production standard as possible. The only major modifications will be a rear roll cage, on-board fire suppression system, racing seats and harnesses.
Modifications beyond standard include an increase to the the nominal ride height to give greater ground clearance, arch extensions to accommodate a 15mm increase in track width, studded Pirelli Scorpion Ice Zero2 tyres, a brace of Lazer high performance lights and a custom exhaust system from Akrapovic, manufacturers of the bespoke exhaust for the Continental GT. The roof will features a bespoke rack, fitted with a pair of Bomber for Bentley Centenary Edition skis - Bomber being a hugely fashionable brand of skiing equipment and apparel.
635hp W12 engine
Of course, not being much-modified, the Bentley still has some serious performance on tap - the standard 6.0-litre W12 twin-turbocharged TSI engine is still snuggled up behind the headlamps, and it produces 635hp and 900Nm of torque. That's good enough for a 0-100km/h time of 3.7 seconds (although not on ice, we suspect) and a top speed of 333km/h (ditto). The car's three chamber air springs, 48V active anti-roll control system and iron brakes are entrusted with the, ahem, cool running of the GT on the purpose-built ice track.
Bentley's Director of Motorsport, Paul Williams, said: "I first drove the prototype Continental GTs on snow during winter testing before the launch of the car. The stability and control this car has on these surfaces is unbelievable and I look forward to seeing it race in those conditions."
There's not only driving involved in the GP Ice Race, though. First run in 1937 and revived last year, the event features an array of historic and modern race and rally cars. The weekend sees drivers compete in various vehicle categories over a 600m frozen racetrack carved from the snow, and involves two tests - standard racing, and an exhibition of skijoring. Skijoring is a competition whereby a skier is towed by a car over a track of snow and ice, and dates back to the Olympic Winter Games 1928 in St. Moritz, when skiers were drawn by riderless horses. Bentley's 2020 version will feature skier Sven Rauber and considerably more horsepower.