Bentley’s long awaited return to motorsport saw the prestigious brand join the 2014 Avon Tyres British GT Championship with Generation Bentley Racing and M-Sport both running the Bentley Continental GT3 in the calendar year.
Appearing most regularly was the #17 M-Sport Bentley Continental GT3 of Steven Kane, who raced alongside Humaid Al Masaoud and Rembert Berg.
Results were hard to come by in British GT for a team and brand feeling their way into the competition, but the Bentley Continental GT3 did impress in spells in the 2014 season.
Silverstone would prove to be a memorable venue for both Bentley and Kane. In British GT, Berg drove a strong opening stint in the headlining three hour Silverstone 500, before handing over to Kane.
He hunted down the top three and had a sensational wheel to wheel bout with Alexander Sims in the #79 Ecurie Ecosse BMW Z4 GT3 before late contact saw their eventual third place become fourth in a post-race investigation.
While a tough one to take for M-Sport, it was their best result of the season. However, in the Blancpain Endurance Series, Kane was part of the team that took Bentley’s first victory in their comeback year.
Driving alongside Guy Smith and Andy Meyrick, the trio overcame an early penalty to grab the Continental GT3’s first ever win and Bentley’s first at Silverstone.
The success in their first year back only heightens Kane’s pride in the Bentley brand.
“It is a privilege to be part of Bentley’s comeback to motorsports,” he said. “As a professional racing driver you can get more of an honour and GTs is a massive company with a profound heritage. It feels incredible to have won as a Bentley boy at Silverstone after 84 years. It was a without doubts a proud moment for us. Hopefully we can make more history soon.”
With the British GT season over, Kane looks back on an enjoyable championship.
“Having only done a few British GT races in the past, I really enjoy the championship,” said Kane. “Everyone is aware that it is extremely competitive and we knew it wouldn’t be easy for the team. It was going to be hard for us in the first year. For that reason each race has been different. Things are now settling down and we are now where should be. I would like to be back again next season. The combination of the format along with the crowds, cars and teams is exemplary.”