> Gounon/Pepper/Soulet three points shy of championship lead
> Fellow factory drivers Buncombe/Jarvis/Morris also return
M-Sport returns to Intercontinental GT Challenge Powered by Pirelli action for the first time since winning at Bathurst when it fields a pair of Bentley Continental GT3s in the Kyalami 9 Hour next weekend (December 10-12).
Jules Gounon, Maxime Soulet and home favourite Jordan Pepper head to South Africa’s season finale just three points adrift in the Drivers’ standings, while fellow factory stars Al Buncombe, Seb Morris and Oliver Jarvis also return.
A new Sparco-themed livery featuring national dealer, MS Technic, the South African flag and M-Sport’s logo will adorn both cars along with yellow and green highlights unique to each entry. The design will be revealed next week.
“The goal is to end the season in the same way we started it when we took the race win at Bathurst with M-Sport,” said Pepper. “The win would secure us the biggest title in global GT3 racing – the Intercontinental GT Challenge drivers’ championship – and to do so on my home soil would be a dream come true.
“After a difficult year for everyone, it’ll be great to be back with M-Sport and get the full 2020 Bentley works team driver line-up reunited. The M-Sport and Sparco livery looks really cool and I’m extremely proud to have the South African flag on the side of our Bentleys. Let’s show what we can do together!”
M-Sport Race Team Manager, Matthew Wilson, added: “The race team has become an important part of our business, and it’s a proud moment to see the two Bentley Continental GT3s carrying a special M-Sport livery at what could be a landmark event for Bentley Motorsport.
“It’s been a tough year for the sport, but we’ve all pulled together and thanks to the win in Bathurst and some fantastic performances alongside our customer teams, Jules, Jordan and Maxime are just three points shy at the head of the drivers’ standings and in with a real chance of securing the title.
“It’s also great to have Sparco onboard for what could be a momentous event for us next month. We’ve long enjoyed a close and successful relationship with Sparco who share our passion and enthusiasm for motorsport. Designing and developing some of the most technically advanced products on the market, they’ve been integral to our success across all forms of motorsport and I’m very happy to welcome them onboard the race team.”