Le Mans

John Duff, one of Bentley's London agents, bought and modified a short chassis 3 litre to take a number of class D records at Brooklands in 1922.

A few months later he had heard that the French were to run a 24 hour race at Le Mans.  Despite W O’s view that ‘the whole thing’s crazy’, Duff secured Bentley’s assistance and entered with Frank Clement’s and the works experimental department support.

In 1923, the road surface was unmade in parts, and the weather during the night was appalling.The Bentley gained the lead at one point, however a stone holed the petrol tank and Duff and Clement eventually came home in 4th place.  W O, who had followed the team out at the last moment, was hooked.

The following year, 1924, Duff was again left to fly the flag for Bentleys though with rather more assistance from the works. That year the race, which was still evolving, included running 20 laps with the hood up and Duff set the record for raising the Bentley’s hood in 41 seconds.  Against a field of 39 French cars, and one Ford, Duff and Clement brought the Bentley home in 1st place some ten miles ahead of the next placed car.

The ease with which Bentleys had won led to over-confidence and it was not until 1927 that Bentleys once more succeeded at Le Mans.