TGR StaffBentley is entering a specially prepared Continental GT in the 2020 GP Ice Race in Zell am See, Austria. The Ice Race GT will feature livery inspired by 2019’s record-breaking Pikes Peak Hill Climb Contential, like the hill climb car, the Ice Race GT is powered by a 626 hp 6.0- liter twin-turbo W12 engine. Other than safety equipment and minor suspension adjustment car is as close to a production car as possible. The wheel arches have been widened to accommodate the 15 mm increase in track width and studded Pirelli Scorpion tires, a custom Akrapovic exhaust, and aftermarket LED lights give the Continental GT more rally conditionals. Since it is a Bentley the roof rack will hold Bomber for Bentley Centenary Edition skis.
Junior World Rally Championship driver Catie Munnings will be behind the wheel of the Bentley Ice Race Continental GT. Munnings is the FIA European Rally Championship Ladies Trophy Winner and daughter of former rally driver Chris Munnings, she will be the first female driver in decades to compete professionally for Bentley Motorsports.
The opportunity to race with Bentley at Zell am See is one that I couldn’t miss. I’m completely blown away by the car, and I actually still can’t believe I’m getting let loose in a Bentley to do an ice race. I spent some time on ice in the car just before Christmas. At first, I thought it would feel heavy, but I was amazed by how dynamic, nimble and responsive it is. It can dance like a lightweight rally car, and I can’t wait to race it at such an iconic event
The GP Ice Race was first launched in 1937 and was relaunched in 2019 featuring many historic and modern race and rally cars. Drivers must compete around a 0.37 miles racetrack carved from the snow, the event is broken into two parts, first is standard racing, and the second is skijoring. In skijoring the driver must tow a skier around the track an event that dates back to the Olympic Winter Games 1928 in St. Moritz when skiers were drawn by riderless horses. For the Skijoring portion, Munnings will be towing professional skier Sven Rauber.
Photos Courtesy of Bentley
