- DirtFish: Rally Temple in Old Lumber Mill
- Bentley Bentayga: Luxury SUV Turns WRC
- Continental GT: Coupe Power on Gravel
- Bentley vs Ford Fiesta Rally3 Comparison
- Bentayga Off-Road Capabilities
- Continental GT: Real Continental Drift
- Bentley Boys Reality: Racing Heritage
- DirtFish Pro Instructors' Reactions
- Bentley Tech Reality: Not Road-Only
- Fields Auto Group Client Impact
- Bentley vs Real Rally Cars Comparison
- Bentley Performance Academy Future
- Gulf Market Impact
In rare event blending British luxury with raw motorsport, Bentley Bentayga and Continental GT underwent intensive rally training at DirtFish Academy Washington, proving exceptional gravel capabilities with all-wheel drive and powerful turbo V8. This detailed report covers luxury cars' rally performance, Subaru WRX comparison, DirtFish instructors' amazement, redefining "luxury vehicle" concept.
DirtFish: Rally Temple in Old Lumber Mill
Located in Snoqualmie Washington - abandoned lumber mill used in Twin Peaks filming - DirtFish trains on gravel using Subaru WRX STI for maximum grip and BRZ for slides. Exceptional event came from Fields Auto Group (Bentley Seattle) invitation showing Bentley low-traction capabilities.
Regular Car | Use | Bentley |
|---|---|---|
Subaru WRX STI | Maximum grip | Bentayga |
Subaru BRZ | Slides | Continental GT |
Bentley Bentayga: Luxury SUV Turns WRC
Bentayga 4.0L Twin-Turbo V8:
542 hp, 568 lb-ft torque
All-wheel drive, 8-speed automatic
Mud & Trail mode: +2" ground clearance
Gravel Performance:
Long slides in Sport Mode + ESC off
Excellent control despite 5,400lb weight
Gravel spraying like Euro-hatch WRC
Continental GT: Coupe Power on Gravel
Continental GT Convertible:
Twin-turbo V8, all-wheel drive
Sport Mode manages long slides
Performance exceeded DirtFish instructors' expectations
Josie Rimmer (DirtFish Strategy Director):
"Rallying Bentley completely redefined luxury vehicle."
Bentley vs Ford Fiesta Rally3 Comparison
DirtFish Test (Same Course):
Criterion | Bentley Continental GTC | Ford Fiesta Rally3 |
|---|---|---|
Power | Much higher | Limited |
Control | Excellent in slides | Sporty |
Weight | 5,400lb | 2,800lb |
Fun | Exceptional | Professional |
Brenten Kelly (DirtFish Instructor):
"Continental GTC exceeded expectations, slide control amazing."
Bentayga Off-Road Capabilities
Adaptive Suspension System:
+2" clearance in Mud/Trail
Hill Descent Control
Sport ESC for slides
Mode | Clearance | ESC |
|---|---|---|
Comfort | Normal | Full |
Mud/Trail | +2" | Sport |
Sport | Lowered | Off |
V8 Gravel Performance:
0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds
180 mph top speed
568 lb-ft instant torque
Continental GT: Real Continental Drift
Coupe Gravel Performance:
Successful Scandi-flick slides
AWD distributes 59% rear bias
Sport Mode manages oversteer
Rally Features:
Balance despite weight
15.75" front brakes
Pirelli P Zero special tires
Bentley Boys Reality: Racing Heritage
Woolf Barnato (Original Bentley Boy):
Won Le Mans 3 times
Bentley rally cars since 1920s
Le Mans Speed 6 was "gravel beast"
Event Revives Heritage:
Luxury + motorsport performance
Modern Bentley Boys
DirtFish Pro Instructors' Reactions
Universal Amazement:
Instructor | Comment |
|---|---|
Josie Rimmer | "Redefined luxury vehicle" |
Brenten Kelly | "Amazing slide control" |
All instructors | "Better than expected" |
Vs Subaru:
Bentley more fun despite weight
Easier control for beginners
Luxury doubles enjoyment
Bentley Tech Reality: Not Road-Only
All-Wheel Drive System:
48V active anti-roll bars
Intelligent torque vectoring
Adaptive suspension 15% stiffer Sport
World-Class Brakes:
Largest car brakes (15.75")
Valet-level control
Advanced rally cooling
Fields Auto Group Client Impact
Marketing Goal:
Show real capabilities
DirtFish client experience
Enhance Bentley sport image
Result:
Major performance admiration
Rally experience demand increase
Real Continental Drift
Bentley vs Real Rally Cars Comparison
Bentley vs WRC/Subaru:
Criterion | Bentley | Subaru WRX STI | WRC |
|---|---|---|---|
Power | 542 hp | 310 hp | 380 hp |
Weight | 5400lb | 3300lb | 3000lb |
Fun | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
Comfort | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Bentley Performance Academy Future
Expansion Plans:
Regular DirtFish experiences
Modern Bentley Boys clients
Bentayga Speed rally 2027
Potential Cars:
Flying Spur gravel stage
New Continental GT hybrid
Bentayga S rally edition
Gulf Market Impact
Dubai/Riyadh:
Growing rally experience demand
Bentley UAE plans similar event
Flying Spur in UAE desert
DirtFish event reveals Bentley's true sporting face, proving Bentayga and Continental GT exceptional gravel capabilities despite luxury positioning, reviving Bentley Boys heritage with advanced turbo V8 and AWD. This performance enhances Bentley's position combining refinement with raw power, paving way for Gulf rally experience expansion embodying "luxury that endures" in modern premium automotive world.
