Right Foot Action by William Medcalf

The BDC means many different things to many different people, whether you are a concourse polisher, all weather driver or fettler. We all share the same enthusiasm for the fantastically engineered car. For me, the most impressive thing about a Bentley is not it’s status, but how it drives. Thundering through a country lane joining each curve with the next is just fantastic. Furthermore, the name “Bentley” and “Racing” are inter-twined and the cars lend themselves perfectly to a bit of right foot action! The BDC lay on an impressive calendar of events each year and the Silverstone meeting is in everyone’s diary. But did you know there is also a Sprint at MIRA, a track day at Goodwood and this year there was a Bentley class at Harewood Hill Climb? In addition, Bentleys are raced against other Marques at Brands, Snetterton, Oulton Park and Mallory Park.

The grass roots racers are the few that are out there in all weathers competing in their cars, juggling work and family commitments to keep their passion alive while doing the very important job of flying the flag for the BDC against the other car clubs. To give an insight into club racing I have answered a few common questions. How Good is the Racing? Better than F1! To watch a 3/4½ battling for the lead with a V12 Lagonda is awesome. Fighting for nine laps with Duncan Wiltshire, passing each other 20 times and crossing the line not knowing who has won (this is still being debated in the bar! and for the record I won . . . !). Just to drive through Paddock Hill bend at Brands on your own in practice and feel the car working under you is so satisfying.

What are the People Like? Genuine.
What is the Camaraderie Like? 1st Class – everybody helps each other out, it is still a gentleman’s sport.
Winning? What it is to win, to come first in something you know or to discover something new.
What is a Good First Race? The BDC handicap race at Silverstone is both historic and famous as it is the only race left in the world that starts in the pit lane. Any Bentley in standard trim with a novice driver has an equal chance against the big guns.
What Car Preparation is Needed? I drive to the track, I un-bolt the spare wheel, I race, I drive home, I polish the rad before bed. You can make it as complicated as you like!

Who Should get a Gold Star? There are lots of people you could pick. Organising events - there is our competition captain, the club staff, marshalls who volunteer at trackside, all the WAG’s that put up with us etc. However, I would have to give the Gold Star Award to one man - Peter Morley. Not only because Peter has, without question, been there and done that, but now in his 70’s, he has worn the t-shirt and is on his 5th. Fitter than most people half his age, Peter makes a difference because he encourages new drivers and, trust me, after five years I still feel like a new driver when Peter is around. When Peter is not racing, he is there supporting his son Clive and now his grandson James. The Morley camp is a happy one! Other clubs have fantastic attendance but in the BDC it is left to just a few. The point that people miss is that nobody on the track wants to damage their cars, not for one minute.

Let’s not kid ourselves - racing is dangerous but so is driving through the city centre. So drive within your limits. If you owned a greyhound would you keep it in a locked cage? The Bentley is a car that loves the open race track! It would be great to see a full Bentley grid of new comers. It would be great to see people coming to support the grass roots racers, even just coming to say hello! Next time you see a BDC racer in the bar, then buy them a beer. They are keeping the legend alive which is important to us all.

Some of the grass roots racers.