Bentley Team Absolute made its Pirelli World Challenge race debut this weekend in the opening round of the 2016 championship at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) and proved it has what it takes to win races with its pair of Bentley Continental GT3s.

In fact, it was a weekend of firsts for the whole team, with Adderley Fong (HK), an experienced Continental GT3 driver, making his championship debut and Andrew Palmer (US) piloting the car for the first time in the USA.

Throughout the two-race weekend, the team consistently improved. By Race Two, Palmer was able to move the No. 87 entry from eighth to second in the first 30 minutes of the 50-minute race. In the process, he turned the third-fastest lap of the race and showed the true potential of the 4.0-litre Continental GT3.

However, fortune was not on its side and a drive through penalty prevented the podium finish that was well within reach.

After the drive-through, Palmer finished in P10 and added this to his P7 result from Race One a day earlier. Fong in the No. 88 Continental GT3, was also struck by a penalty and had to settle for 17th and 14th.

The second round of the Pirelli World Challenge takes place at St Petersburg, March 11 – 13. The races will be streamed live at www.world-challenge.com.

As a warm up, Bentley Team Absolute fans can watch a recap of the COTA weekend on CBS Sports Network, which airs on Sunday, March 13, at 10:30am ET.

ANDREW PALMER (USA) #87 BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT3

“It’s tough to come so close to a podium and miss out, but it’s good to come out of the first race of the season in a new car and with a new team having battled it out at the sharp end of the field. I think the pace of the car was competitive and we have a really good chance going into St. Pete.”

ADDERLY FONG (HK) #88 BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT3

“It wasn’t a great weekend for me personally, but the car felt great. Bentley Team Absolute always gives us a great car to challenge with and I know that results will improve throughout the season. We must now put any disappointment behind us and focus on the next round which is just a few days away.”

INGO MATTER (FR) TEAM DIRECTOR

“Pirelli World Challenge is an extremely competitive environment, but the combination of our Bentley Continental GT3s with Andrew and Adderly makes for a package that is quick from the start. We proved that with two top-10 finishes and the third-quickest race lap on Sunday. Driving-wise and car-wise, I think we’re where we need to be and that’s important. We’re ready to push on to St. Pete.”