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To celebrate the 90th anniversary of Bentley's track debut at Brooklands, Bentley: A Racing History, published by Haynes, provides an authoritative historical account of one of the most evocative names in motor racing.
Written by expert author David Venables, it contains a wealth of previously unseen photographs, which bring to life the tale of heroism and engineering endeavour behind the development of this famous British marque.
Bentley: A Racing History describes every stage of Bentley's record-breaking racing history, charting a rise which began with founder Walter Owen Bentley producing his first car, the Bentley 3-litre prototype, in 1919. Before this, 'W.O', as he was known, had manufactured rotary aero-engines as a member of the Royal Naval Air Service during the First World War.
The dramatic highs and lows of the motoring empire that he went on to create are now all brought together to provide fascinating reading for students of motor racing history.
The resulting collection of archive material covers golden moments such as Bentley's first-ever Le Mans triumph in 1924, and its dramatic repeat in 1927, when a damaged and crippled car held on for victory against all odds.
Sadly these successes were also punctuated by large-scale financial problems, but thankfully Bentley found a saviour in millionaire Woolf Barnato, who poured money into the company.
Barnato famously introduced the world to the 'Bentley Boys', a team of rich drivers who partied as furiously as they raced. Tales of their wild social lives, whirlwind romances and intense personal tragedies were the talk of motoring circles in the late 1920s to early 1930s, and are interwoven into this book's depiction of a bygone era in motorsport.
Tim Birkin, arguably the most famous of the 'Bentley Boys', later became synonymous with supercharged 'blower' Bentleys, which - despite opposition from the great 'W.O' - were eventually built using funds from reclusive heiress, Dorothy Paget.
Birkin's faith in this new, more fragile, design concept proved ill-timed, and The Great Depression saw Barnato quickly withdraw his considerable financial backing. Bentley went into liquidation in 1931 before being bought by Rolls-Royce - prompting a mini revival in its fortunes on the track in the mid-1930s.
This comprehensively researched book guides readers through these many eventful chapters in the Bentley story, whilst also providing detailed sections on the post-war era too.
Bentley: A Racing History culminates with Bentley's long awaited return to international racing in 2001 after the company's successful acquisition by Volkswagen in 1998 - a renaissance that ended with the Speed 8's memorable triumph at Le Mans in 2003.
Detailed appendices containing information on car specifications, racing successes and W.O's engine designs complete a thorough examination of one of the most illustrious names to have taken to the circuit.
The author:
David Venables, a former Official Solicitor, is Assistant Editor of the Vintage Sports Car Club Bulletin, and a respected historian of pre-war motor racing. His previous books include the acclaimed Brooklands: The Official Centenary History, also published by Haynes. In his spare-time he competes in vintage events with a 1930 Aston Martin and a 1936 Fiat - both of which he also drives on the road. He lives in Sussex.
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The information on this page is supplied courtesy of Haynes Publishing, please credit accordingly if you intend to use it. For further information or to request a review copy please contact Max Boon at Spirit PR on 0117 944 1415 or email haynes@spiritpublicrelations.co.uk
Haynes Publishing
Sparkford, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 7JJ
Telephone: 01963 440635 Fax: 01963 440001 E-mail: sales@haynes.co.uk
www.haynes.co.uk
Haynes Publishing is a trading style of J H
Haynes & Co Ltd.
Registered in England, Number: 1449587 Registered Office: Sparkford, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 7JJ
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