Bentley Team M-Sport Confirm Kyalami Line-Ups

Bentley Team M-Sport have confirmed their two-car line-up for the Kyalami 9 Hours with the two Continental GT3s backed by Sparco for the IGTC season finale as they try to secure the drivers title.

M-Sport return to the fray for the first time since their Bathurst 12 Hour win in February, the Bentley IGTC effort thereafter focused on customer teams until now.

Jules Gounon, Jordan Pepper and Maxime Soulet though go to Pepper’s home race race just three points shy of the Drivers Championship leaders Earl Bamber and Laurens Vanthoor with another Porsche trio, Mathieu Jaminet, Matt Campbell and Patrick Pilet two points ahead of the Bentley trio.

Bentley are somewhat further back in the manufacturer standings, fifth in the order coming into the finale.

The second M-Sport Bentley will be crewed by Alex Buncombe, Seb Morris and Oliver Jarvis in an event where the squad led the race in its inaugural year in the IGTC in 2019.

M-Sport are backed at the event by Sparco and their official dealer in South Africa, MS Technic, both cars will sport a striking new livery to mark the link.

M-Sport’s trademark flag is incorporated throughout the design with the South African flag proudly displayed alongside.

The two Continental GT3s will be identified by yellow and green highlights running throughout the bodywork with Sparco’s logo on the sides, bonnet, roof and rear spoiler.

All six drivers will also sport new, state-of-the-art Sparco racesuits, mirroring the new livery with M‑Sport’s signature flag and the same flashes of yellow and green.

M-Sport Race Team Manager, Matthew Wilson: “The race team has become an important part of our business, and it’s a proud moment to see the two Bentley Continental GT3s carrying a special M-Sport livery at what could be a landmark event for Bentley Motorsport.

“It’s been a tough year for the sport, but we’ve all pulled together and thanks to the win in Bathurst and some fantastic performances alongside our customer teams, Jules, Jordan and Maxime are just three points shy at the head of the drivers’ standings and in with a real chance of securing the title.

“It’s also great to have Sparco onboard for what could be a momentous event for us next month. We’ve long enjoyed a close and successful relationship with Sparco who share our passion and enthusiasm for motorsport. Designing and developing some of the most technically advanced products on the market, they’ve been integral to our success across all forms of motorsport and I’m very happy to welcome them onboard the race team.” 

Sparco CEO, Claudio Pastoris: “For many years we have been very proud of being an M-Sport partner and expressively wanted to celebrate this collaboration in South Africa, where, in 2020 we decided to reinforce our presence with an official single-brand Sparco shop.

“Sparco is a global brand and the partnership with MS Technic is strategic in Africa and we therefore took the opportunity to be consistently present at Kyalami 9 Hours, to support the team and local hero Jordan Pepper.”

Bentley works driver, Jordan Pepper: “The goal is to end the season in the same way we started it when we took the race win at Bathurst with M-Sport. The win would secure us the biggest title in global GT3 racing, the Intercontinental GT Challenge drivers’ championship, and to do so on my home soil would be a dream come true. 

“After a difficult year for everyone, it’ll be great to be back with M-Sport and get the full 2020 Bentley works team driver line-up reunited. The M-Sport and Sparco livery looks really cool and I’m extremely proud to have the South African flag on the side of our Bentleys. Let’s show what we can do together!”

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