bentley vs audi (was Net Radio coverage of LeMans )

[Dave Eaton]

no, i believe that's it's a very clever marketing tactic.  by allowing
bentley to compete against audi, they are clearly *differentiating* the
brands in the eyes of the public.

ask the hordes of poms at le mans this weekend if they're cheering for a vw
or a *british* bentley, and you'd get a very clear and loud answer.

the bentley is based on the r8 coupes produced by rtn (john wickham).
however, the preparation of the cars, and much of the work is exclusively
bentley.  the engines are based on the audi turbo units, with detail work
undertaken by rtn.  the archilles heal of the r8 coupes (driveshaft loads
causing gearboxes to fail) seems to have been mostly solved.  certainly the
most beautiful cars out there, and a real credit to the "bentley boys"
[sic].

as for the race, i don't think any outsider could appreciate truly how hard
the race was.  the conditions were the worst they could possibly be.
alternating wet/dry conditions are much worse tan simply wet conditions.
excellent effort by joest.  again.  the r8 the best sportscar ever?
certainly one of them.

$0.02.
dave
'95 rs2
'90 ur-q

-----Original Message-----
From: Ti Kan <ti at amb.org>
Subject: Re: Net Radio coverage of LeMans - Live Now.

The Bentley Le Mans car looks A LOT like the 1999 Audi R8C Le Mans.
Perhaps it is no coincidence, since the R8Cs were campaigned by
Audi Sport UK, that the VW gruppe decided to use that platform as
the basis for the Bentley.  The R8C didn't fare too well in the 1999
race, both cars were retired due to gearbox problems.  I'd think
that if indeed the Bentleys are further-develped R8Cs, the cars should
be improved.  Indeed, the fact that both Bentleys are still running
within the top ten says a lot.

Anyone with more definitive information about the Bentley racers?

I am surprised that the VW gruppe is fielding two marques concurrently
at Le Mans.  Sort of competing against itself, not to mention the huge
budget of doing so...

Nevertheless, while I want Audi to win, having other VW family marques
in the top few places is something worth celebrating too.