This centenary edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans has many surprises in store. The first of these is the return to the Le Mans track of THE first Bentley car (#8) which took part in the very first edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1923 and won the following year!This exceptional car will take part in the Le Mans Classic as part of the brand new exceptional grid set up in association with the Benjafield’s Racing Club.The Benjafield’sRacing Club is named after one of the original Bentley Boys, Dudley Benjafield, who won the 1927 24 Hoursof Le Mansin a Bentley 3-litre Supersport. Dr Dudley Benjafield was also the founder of the exclusive BRDC (British Racing Drivers Club).The Benjafield’s Racing Club, whose raison d’être is to emulate the fierce but friendly racing spirit of Dr Benjafield and the Bentley Boys of the 1920s, raises funds for the Sepsis Research FEAT charity. It is also a tribute to the achievements of Dr Joseph Benjafield, a bacteriologist and pathologist who served in the Royal Army Medical Corps during theWorld War I. For this unique occasion, over 60 contemporary Bentley Boys, driving the Bentleys that pre-war Bentleys drove, will be on hand to remind us that they were the most famous automobiles of the early 20th century and that Bentley was one of the most famous carmanufacturers. The gridwill travel directly from London, from the British Racing Drivers Club, to Le Mans, accompanied by five-time 24 Hours of Le Manswinner and Bentley ambassador Derek Bell.The gridincludes cars from the UK and Europe, as well asthe USA, Canada, Argentina and Ecuador, and includes 3-litre, 4½-litre and Speed Six Team cars that have already competed on the famous Hunaudières straight and given Bentley five victories between 1923 and 1930. For the record, Bentley was not to compete in the first 24 Hours of Le Mans. Walter Owen Bentley, the founder of Bentley, was approached by John Duff to take part in the race. W.O Bentley was convinced that no car would make it to the finish because of the length and difficulty of the event. John Duffand Frank Clementstarted in the #8 car and finished 4th in the first 24 Hours of Le Mans (They were in the lead until a hole in the tank reduced their chances of victory). An ode to history not to be missed!
