Le Mans Classic 2023

Benjafield’s Teamed up With Peter Auto to Celebrate 100 years of Bentley’s Association with Le Mans.

In July 2023, Benjafield’s Racing Club saw 32 vintage Bentleys waved off from St James’s by our patron HRH Prince Michael of Kent. Via tea at Cowdray Park and the bar on the ferry the convoy crossed over to France to meet up with 41 more Bentleys at La Sarthe. Assembled together at Le Mans for the celebratory race these 73 cars – from as far afield as USA, Canada, Argentina and Ecuador – proved to be the largest Bentley grid in history. And what a truly perfect way for Benjafield’s to celebrate the centenary of Bentley’s 100 year association with Le Mans! This event had to be one of the most spectacular and special events that Benjafield’s has enjoyed in recent times. It was a big event to pull off – taking months of planning and commitment from organisers, owners and engineers and – not to mention some serious courage and nerve-wracking moves from the drivers during the hour’s race.

With racing legend Derek Bell MBE waving the flag for a traditional Le Mans start, and nine times Le-Mans-24-hrs winner Tom Kirstensen also present to share in the magical atmosphere, it was certainly a day to remember for the rest of our lives.

Four cars that made notable appearances were the first Bentley ever to race at Le Mans in ’23, the first works entry to race there in 1925, a 1927 works entry 3 litre, and the 1930 Speed Sixteen Club (old No 3). For the 1927 car it was the first time back on that circuit since racing there in 1927 and – movingly – for the 1923 since 1923. What a bit of history right there on that perfect Le Mans’ summer’s day.

That night when the sun fell there was a blow-out high-ho celebration for members and guests at the iconic Hotel de France in La Chartre-sur-le-Loir. Spirits were so high that after dinner not only was a conga lead throughout the hotel but also a hugely generous sum was raised for our chosen charity Sepsis Research FEAT. Thanks everyone! This was a triumphant occasion all round and we will forever be grateful to those who contributed in whatever way – big or small – to making it all happen.

Benjafield’s Racing Club Named Joint Winners of Octane’s Historic Motoring Awards ‘Club of the Year 2023.’

Chairman Chris Lunn recalls “We had a great night. After the club’s effort to create the Le Mans Centenary event in July ‘23 it was great to get recognised and let everyone know who we are again and what we’re made of. And this was Benjafield’s second win of Club of The Year in a decade so getting Club of the Year alongside the much bigger MG & Triumph 100 club was a nice accolade for our much smaller club.”

Below is a film we made of the event.