The #8 Continental GT3 takes its second podium of 2016Newcomer Reip says he “couldn’t be in a better place”

Bentley Motorsport has continued its strong start to the 2016 Blancpain GT Series race with a third-place finish in Monza, Italy. The #8 Continental GT3, of Andy Soucek (ES), Maxime Soulet (BE) and latest Bentley Boy to join the team, Wolfgang Reip (BE), took the car’s second podium of the year so far.

After making up five positions in the opening lap, the car #8 team drove flawlessly to take a further 15 points towards the overall championship.

In the identical Bentley Team M-Sport sister car, drivers Guy Smith (GB), Vince Abril (MO) and Steven Kane (GB) charged through the pack to make up for their issues in qualifying. After climbing 28 places, however, the car #7 Bentley Boys took a drive-through penalty and had to settle for 14th.

“The team did a fantastic job to get a podium this weekend” commented Bentley’s Director of Motorsport Brian Gush. “Monza isn't the Continental GT3’s strongest track but the Bentley Boys put in consistent lap times and secured us some very valuable championship points.

“The next two rounds are in the UK and we hope to continue our podium success from Misano and Monza on our home turf.”

The Blancpain GT Series continues in two weeks at Brands Hatch with round two of the Sprint Series Cup.

Bentley’s Blancpain Endurance Series Entries:

PRO CLASS

Car #7: Steven Kane (GB), Guy Smith (GB) and Vince Abril (MO)Car #8: Andy Soucek (ES), Maxime Soulet (BE) and Wolfgang Reip (BE)

Driver Quotes

Andy Soucek, car #8: “While Monza is a challenging track for us, we got in to a great rhythm here today and I'm really pleased to score a podium. We got our setup right and I got a good start. Then it was up to my team-mates to hold the position and they both did a fantastic job.”

Wolfgang Reip, car #8: “It feels really great to be on the podium in my Bentley debut. It shows how professional the team is and how good my team-mates are. I couldn’t be in a better place.”