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1930 Bentley Le Mans 4 ½ litre Supercharged "Blowers" race car.
The car is perhaps best known for its epic duel with a 7 litre 'Kompressor' Mercedes (also supercharged) at Le Mans in 1930 with Birkin putting his
off-side wheels on the grass as he completed a typically daring pass of his Mercedes opponent Rudolf Caracciola at 120mph. The Blower immediately
threw one of its rear tyre treads, but somehow Birkin carried on to set the fastest lap.
Sadly Birkin's campaign ended after 82 laps but the immense pressure he applied to the Mercedes is widely credited with assisting his fellow Bentley
Boys Woolf Barnato and Glenn Kidston to win the race in their Bentley Speed Six.
The second Bentley Blower to take-on Mille Miglia was completed in 1930 and is fitted with a beautiful Vanden Plas Open, Sports Four Seater body. It
was owned by Bentley Motors as a customer demonstrator car before passing into private ownership.
From the company's start in 1919, Bentley was remarkably successful in both racing and setting new speed records. Founder W.O. Bentley was a
determined supporter of motor racing as a means of establishing the Bentley marque and the company's racing success was achieved through its
engineering competence and the skills of a group of drivers known as the 'Bentley Boys'.
After being the sole British entry and placing fourth in the inaugural 1923 race, Bentley won the Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race in 1924. From 1927
to 1930 Bentley dominated the event and took victory on four consecutive occasions. Bentley was the only non-French make in the first two events, in 1923 and 1924 - the year of its first victory.
- John Duff
- The original Bentley Boy, John Duff gave Bentley its first win at Le Mans 24 Hours in 1924. After a fourth place finish in 1923, Duff
returned to Le Mans the following year with Bentley co-driver Jack Clement. The pair raced to a first place finish, defeating many of the leading sports cars of the day.
- Dudley Benjafield -
- Competing for the sheer pleasure of driving and the thrill of the race, "Benjy", drove at numerous events and took 1st place at Le Mans in 1927.
- Woolf Barnato
- Considered "the best driver we ever had" by W.O. Bentley, Barnato remains the only driver to have won on each occasion of entering the race recording wins at Le Mans in 1928, 1929 and 1930.
- Tim Birkin
- A formidable personality, Birkin, an ex-fighter pilot was renowned for his willingness to be utterly ruthless with his car to achieve a winning result.
- Glen Kidston
- Kidston claimed 1st place at Le Mans in 1930 and is known for being an adventurer; rough, tough, sharp and fearless.
- Guy Smith
- A central figure for Team Bentley's attack on both the Sebring 12-Hours and the Le Mans 24 Hours, Guy Smith secured his place in racing
legend at the 2003 Le Mans 24 Hours. Smith was selected to pilot the Bentley Speed 8 across the finish line to mark an emotional sixth win for Bentley.
1924 Le Mans Winning 3 Litre Bentley
(L-R) Frank Clement, WO Bentley and John Duff with 1924 Le Mans Winning 3 Litre Bentley.
 
 
Brooklands Racing
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