The Kempten-based squad will be competing in the ADAC GT Masters as Bentley Team ABT and in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring as the brand’s factory supported team. The Bentley Continental GT3 will be fielded by the experienced C.Abt Racing squad headed by team boss and former GT Masters Champion Christian Abt.
“We are delighted to welcome ABT Sportsline to the Bentley family,” says Director of Motorsport Brian Gush. “Just like our company, ABT looks back on an long and rich heritage in motorsport and we both strive to achieve success at the highest level.” ABT has been active in motorsport for several decades in various categories, exclusively relying on vehicles of the Volkswagen Group.
“We have been enjoying a long and intensive relationship with the Group’s brands – both in motorsport and our day-to-day business,” says Managing Director Hans-Jürgen Abt. “Now we are delighted to extend this cooperation by the Bentley brand. The Continental GT3 has already shown its strength on track. I now look forward to our joint challenges.”
Whereas ABT Sportsline assumes responsibility for marketing the project, an old hand in GT racing, Christian Abt, will be its technical director. The former DTM racer and 2009 GT Masters Champion will be preparing the sportscars with his team, C.Abt Racing, and will be fielding the cars in all races as well. C.Abt Racing has been one of the protagonists in the series’ most recent history. In 2013 and 2014 the squad won the teams’ classification and additionally provided the driver champions in 2014.
The ADAC GT Masters is entering its tenth season at Oschersleben from 15 to 17 April, followed by six other race weekends in Germany, Austria and the Netherlands. All rounds will be broadcast live on SPORT1. The first racing commitment for Bentley Team ABT is coming up on 2 April. The VLN season opener on the Nordschleife serves as preparation for the 24-hour race to be held at the end of May.
Along with the official launch of the joint project, pre-season preparations are now picking up momentum. The selection of a strong driver squad will be one of the next steps. Bentley Team ABT will be competing in the ADAC GT Masters with three cars and contesting the 24-hour race with two Continental GT3 vehicles.
You can find more infos for the ABT GT sport here: