IMSA: Bentley affirms 2017 P2 interest

Bentley hasn't been involved with prototype sports car racing since the Le Mans-winning Speed 8 of 2001-'03, seen here at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. But a new chapter could be starting. (LAT photo)

Bentley motorsports director Brian Gush has been a vocal supporter of IMSA's new-for-2017 P2-based plans, and shared his thoughts ahead of this weekend's Peit Le Mans on the British marque's possible interest in joining IMSA's Prototype grid.

"We've said for a while now that we're interested in what's happening [in IMSA P2]; we think it's a good idea with the format IMSA has come up with using OEM engines and OEM-inspired bodies," Gush (LEFT, Bentley photo) told RACER. "It's a great idea and we think it can be used to get sports car racing in really good shape in America."

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With General Motors expected to continue in the Prototype class under the Cadillac banner, Mazda set to return, and other brands looking into participating, the sight of a Bentley-badged P2 chassis would add great cachet to IMSA's top WeatherTech SportsCar Championship category.

"We've been in close contact with IMSA for a long time, following everything they're doing, which confirmed the direction we thought it was going in," Gush added. "Everything has been provided for us to continue forward, should we choose to go in that direction."

Asked if Bentley had a timeline to determine whether it would commit to an IMSA P2 program for 2017, Gush suggested the recent diesel emissions scandal facing the Volkswagen Audi Group, Bentley's parent company, could impact its decision.

"It's hard to say," Gush noted. "If we were to do a car, we have the timetable established for when certain milestones would fall, but some recent unfavorable news could make committing to any new projects rather more of a challenge than anticipated."