Breitling Watch Plane Races Bentley to Celebrate Partnership
Monday - 07 October 2013
Breitling and Bentley celebrated their 10-year partnership with a race between Breitling's CAP 232 aeroplane and Bentley's Continental GP Speed flagship coupe.
The exhibition race took place on a runway at the National Air Race Championships in Reno, Nevada.
"A dedication to quality can be seen in every timepiece crafted by Breitling, and every automobile produced by Bentley," said Thierry Prissert, Breitling USA President. "Both brands share a desire for excellence. The collaboration of the past 10 years has produced some amazing results, and we are proud to entertain audiences at the Reno Air Races with a classic display of sport competition."
The Bentley Continental GT Speed was driven by Guy Smith, who won at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race during Bentley's championship return in 2003 - the same year that the partnership with Breitling began.
Smith drove a Le Mans limited edition of the car, which was created to commemorate Bentley's six historic victories of the race. It is Bentley's fastest production car ever, with 616 horsepower and capable of a top speed of 205 mph.
The Breitling CAP 232 was flown by aerobatic pilot David Martin, who has been flying for Breitling for more than a decade. The plane has 330 horsepower and a top speed of 215 mph.
The Bentley Continental GT Speed narrowly defeated the plane after reaching speeds of nearly 200 mph.
"It was a thrill to race David Martin and the Breitling CAP 232," Guy Smith said. "Bentley's technological advancements with the Continental GT Speed make for a stunning limited edition Le Mans model. It's a vehicle that takes both the future and heritage of Bentley into account with exhilarating precision. It was neck and neck, but we were able to win it by a few seconds in the end."
David Martin said: "The whole event was a lot of fun. When you're competing with a car that's got more than 600 horsepower a lot needs to be taken into consideration. It was a close race, and one that really exemplifies the spirit of the Breitling and Bentley partnership. It was a fitting homage to the 10-year anniversary of the partnership, as well as a nice addition to the National Championship Air Races' 50th anniversary program."
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