WOBMF hosts Triple Launch event

The Bentley Memorial Foundation (WOBMF) hosted a special triple-launch party at the BDC Clubhouse yesterday, designed to promote its exciting range of activities and events – both now and upcoming.

Star of the show was the legendary EXP2, kindly on loan from Bentley Motors, which is the second Bentley ever built (in 1920) and now the oldest surviving example of the marque; it's also the very car which gave Bentley its maiden race victory, at Brooklands, in 1921. Understandably it drew considerable interest from attendees.

EXP2 will be shown off in the Clubhouse’s exhibition hall until mid-December, and its presence fittingly commemorating the centenary of that first win, also highlights a fascinating WOBMF display, entitled 100 Years of Racing: the Experimental and 3 Litre Years; the exhibition focuses on the successful exploits of EXP2 and the other trailblazers that founded the Bentley racing legend.

Completing the triumvirate of launches was the unveiling of the first issue of 1888, the WOBMF’s new annual which complements its existing Foundation Corner section in Review, the bi-monthly BDC magazine. The new publication, edited by Simon Charlesworth, features wide-ranging articles on every era and aspect of the Bentley story, from the present day to the birth of founder WO in… 1888.

WOBMF Chairman Ken Lea introduced the triple launch and cut a special commemorative cake, while Foundation Trustee Alan Bodfish provided an overview of the 100 Years of Racing exhibition.

The Foundation also promoted its forthcoming events, including a Talks Day at the Clubhouse on 2 April – featuring Sir John Egan (‘Saving Jaguar’), Club Member Doug McWilliams (‘Driving the Silk Road’), and best-selling author and Foundation Life Member Peter Grimsdale (‘Racing in the Dark’).

For more details on the Talks Day, please see the Advertiser & Diary and Events section of the Club website.