Bentley Blower Car Zero: Racing Comeback in 2023

Introduction to the Bentley Blower Continuation Series

The first vehicle in Bentley's Blower Continuation Series, Car Zero, is set for a series of races in 2023 to honor the legacy of its ancestor. Blower Car Zero will compete on circuits in the UK, France, and Belgium to evaluate its speed and stamina while showcasing engineering validation and paying respect to its ancestry.

Construction of the Blower Continuation Series

The Blower Continuation Series was meticulously constructed using:

• Latest laser-scanned data
• Original drafts

It is the first pre-war continuation series ever made. The 1929 4.5-liter supercharged Team Car #2, the most renowned Bentley in the world and a symbol of the Bentley Heritage Collection, served as the source for both the plans and the 3D data. Car Zero will take on the original Blower's mantle, racing to win at prestigious events, including the Circuit de la Sarthe, 93 years after its ancestor raced at Le Mans.

Safety Modifications for Racing

Small safety-related alterations have been made to Blower Car Zero to enable its participation in racing. These modifications include:

• Rain light
• Wing mirrors
• Towing points
• Fire extinguisher
• Battery isolation switch

Additionally, the car now possesses an Historic Technical Passport (HTP), confirming its eligibility to compete in FIA-sanctioned historic vehicle events.

2023 Racing Schedule

Blower Car Zero is set to participate in three racetracks throughout 2023:

1. Donington Park, UK – April 29-30
2. Le Mans, France – June 29 - July 3
3. Spa, Belgium – September 28-30

Future of the Blower Continuation Series

Following the Blower Car Zero, Mulliner, Bentley's division specializing in bespoke and personalized cars, has commissioned twelve more Blower Continuation Series vehicles. Currently:

• Eight have already been delivered
• Four are still being constructed

Some of these customer cars will join Blower Car Zero in competition during the Le Mans race this summer, alongside original Bentley Team cars from the 1920s.

Statements from Bentley's Leadership

Paul Williams, Mulliner’s Chief Technical Officer, stated: “By going racing with Blower Car Zero, we will prove the performance, authenticity, and durability of our Continuation Series by taking on the original competition. This will give our customers confidence that they too can take their continuation cars to the track. We’ve already proved the quality of the engineering within the car by completing a tough test of several hours at race pace around Goodwood, and it’s now time for the car to be unleashed for real racing. We’ll take the learnings from this race program and apply them to the upcoming Speed Six Continuation Series, for which the first engineering car is in build now.”

Endurance Testing

The Blower Car Zero underwent a comprehensive six-hour endurance test at the Goodwood Motor Circuit, simulating a full race pace to prepare for its upcoming debut. During the test, the car was driven by Stuart Morley (GB) and exhibited a flawless performance, covering 380 miles and maintaining an average speed of 83 miles per hour.

Upcoming Announcements

In the coming days, the race program will announce the drivers, which will include a combination of experienced motoring journalists with racing backgrounds and professional racing drivers.