Flash. Competition.(news briefs from the car racing world)

Bentley launches new car

Bentley's all-new Le Mans contender broke cover last week. The 2003 LM-GTP coupe, which retains the EXP Speed 8 name, was shaken down in Snetterton near Team Bentley's base at Racing Technology Norfolk and was then rushed to Vallelunga for a three-day test. Guy Smith drove the car in Britain and was joined by teammate Tom Kristensen in Italy. Smith gave the car a thumbs-up after the initial run, which stretched to just 15 wet laps. ``It was an encouraging first test, even though it was just a systems check before we do some proper running,'' said Smith, who has been with Bentley since the start of the program. ``The car feels nice and has no nasty vices, but we won't know how quick it is until we start testing in the dry.'' Rain plagued the testing in Italy as well, but the new car completed more than 600 miles over the three days. The test in Italy provided the first confirmation that personnel from Joest Racing, which oversaw Audi's Le Mans hat trick, will be involved in Bentley's campaign. A significant proportion of the team's mechanics will be on loan from Joest, while Joest's technical director, Ralf Juttner, will also have a major role.

Goh to Sebring

The Japanese Goh team is gearing up to take its customer Audi to the U.S. enduros at Sebring and Road Atlanta. Team owner Kazumichi Goh wants to expand a program originally focused just on Le Mans, and has targeted the Sebring 12 Hour in March ...