Late Racing News.

Kristensen to Bentley?

* Four-time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen has emerged as a contender for a Bentley drive in next year's running of the French 24-hour race. Audi's new American Le Mans Series champion drove the British carmaker's EXP Speed 8 at Paul Ricard last week and will test it at Nogaro this week. The seat would most likely be alongside another Audi convert, Rinaldo Capello and Britain's Guy Smith. ``Audi was asked if I could do the test and I was very happy to try the car,'' Kristensen said. ``I am waiting on what Audi decides for next year, but I have the dream to do Le Mans again.''

Lamborghini to Le Mans?

* Lamborghini's first all-out assault on international sports car racing could be masterminded from Britain by Prodrive. The British engineering specialist has admitted it is in the early stages of talks with the Italian supercar builder, which is part of the Volkswagen-Audi group. That contact could result in Prodrive building a new Lamborghini GT racer in time for the 2004 season. Prodrive commercial director Hugh Chambers said Lamborghini is reviewing a strategy for GT racing and, ``We have had some discussions, but it is far too early to say if they will progress.'' Lamborghini could press the green light on a GT project in the next two weeks, according to insiders. Because the company comes under the control of Audi, the decision could be made at the same meeting in which the Ingolstadt marque finalizes its plans to take its own R8 prototype back to ALMS. Two options are available. One is to take on Chevrolet, Lister and the Ferrari 550 Maranello, ...