Category Archives: Dyson Racing

CHRIS DYSON STARTS 2017 SEASON AT CHILI BOWL; RETURNS TO RACING WITH SMOKEY MOUNTAIN HERBAL SNUFF AND KRUSEMAN MOTORSPORTS

CHRIS DYSON STARTS 2017 SEASON AT CHILI BOWL; RETURNS TO RACING WITH SMOKEY MOUNTAIN HERBAL SNUFF AND KRUSEMAN MOTORSPORTS
First Start for Dyson Following 2016 Season-Ending July Crash.
Third Chili Bowl Start for Two-Time IMSA Prototype Champion.
STAMFORD CT (January 5, 2017) With his race car tumbling violently end-over-end and out of Pennsylvania’s Big Diamond Speedway oval track last July 29th, Chris Dyson was not thinking about when his next race would be. But as he began his recuperation from back and rib injuries sustained in the accident, a major motivator in Dyson’s recovery was the desire to get back into the cockpit as soon as possible. Now that he’s healthy and restored to prime condition, Dyson’s first race back comes January 10-14 at the 31st annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals midget races at the indoor Tulsa Expo Raceway.
Dyson’s Chili Bowl efforts will be sponsored this year, as they were in 2016, by Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff, America’s original and best-selling tobacco-free smokeless brand. It also marks Dyson’s third consecutive start in the event that annually marks the start of the North American racing season. As in the past two years, Dyson will be driving a Spike / Esslinger car fielded by two-time Chili bowl champion Cory Kruseman. Continue reading CHRIS DYSON STARTS 2017 SEASON AT CHILI BOWL; RETURNS TO RACING WITH SMOKEY MOUNTAIN HERBAL SNUFF AND KRUSEMAN MOTORSPORTS

ROAD RACING CHAMPION CHRIS DYSON RETURNS TO CHILI BOWL WITH SMOKEY MOUNTAIN HERBAL SNUFF AND KRUSEMAN MOTORSPORTS

ROAD RACING CHAMPION CHRIS DYSON RETURNS TO
CHILI BOWL WITH SMOKEY MOUNTAIN HERBAL SNUFF
AND KRUSEMAN MOTORSPORTS
STAMFORD CT (January 5, 2016) Among the 335 drivers entered for next week’s 30th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals indoor dirt-track race meeting in Tulsa, OK, Chris Dyson is the only one who has won a pair of professional sports car racing championships. Back for a second year at the Chili Bowl in a Spike / Esslinger midget race car fielded by two-time Chili bowl champion Cory Kruseman, Dyson is being supported in his effort in America’s largest indoor dirt-racing event by Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff, America’s original and best-selling tobacco-free smokeless brand. Continue reading ROAD RACING CHAMPION CHRIS DYSON RETURNS TO CHILI BOWL WITH SMOKEY MOUNTAIN HERBAL SNUFF AND KRUSEMAN MOTORSPORTS

DYSON RACING TEAM CONCLUDES TWO-YEAR PIRELLI WORLD CHALLENGE WORKS-SUPPORTED PROGRAM WITH BENTLEY, LOOKS AHEAD TO 2016

DYSON RACING TEAM CONCLUDES TWO-YEAR PIRELLI WORLD CHALLENGE WORKS-SUPPORTED PROGRAM WITH BENTLEY, LOOKS AHEAD TO 2016
Poughkeepsie, NY (30 December 2015) The Dyson Racing Team returned to victory lane and scored several podium finishes while competing in the Pirelli World Challenge series in 2015. Dyson Racing campaigned a pair of Bentley Continental GT3 race cars in partnership with Bentley Motors, Ltd. and under the banner of Team Bentley Dyson Racing in the final year of the team’s two-year contract to represent Bentley in North American motorsport. Continue reading DYSON RACING TEAM CONCLUDES TWO-YEAR PIRELLI WORLD CHALLENGE WORKS-SUPPORTED PROGRAM WITH BENTLEY, LOOKS AHEAD TO 2016

Dyson Racing–BENTLEY TEAM DYSON RACING LOOKS TO CLOSE OUT 2015 PIRELLI WORLD CHALLENGE SEASON WITH STRONG PERFORMANCE AT MAZDA RACEWAY LAGUNA SECA

BENTLEY TEAM DYSON RACING LOOKS TO CLOSE OUT 2015 PIRELLI WORLD CHALLENGE SEASON WITH STRONG PERFORMANCE AT MAZDA RACEWAY LAGUNA SECA
Poughkeepsie, NY (8 September 2015) An 1-weekend, 20-race season that began in Texas for Bentley Team Dyson Racing in March draws to a close this weekend in Monterey, Calif. with the running of the final 50-minute sprint race of the 2015 Pirelli World Challenge series. Drivers Chris Dyson and Guy Smith are looking to cap the season at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in their Bentley Continental GT3 race cars with a winning performance at the classic road racing circuit. Continue reading Dyson Racing–BENTLEY TEAM DYSON RACING LOOKS TO CLOSE OUT 2015 PIRELLI WORLD CHALLENGE SEASON WITH STRONG PERFORMANCE AT MAZDA RACEWAY LAGUNA SECA

Dyson Racing– GUY SMITH’S PODIUM FINISH HIGHLIGHTS BENTLEY’S UTAH PIRELLI WORLD CHALLENGE WEEKEND

GUY SMITH’S PODIUM FINISH HIGHLIGHTS BENTLEY’S
UTAH PIRELLI WORLD CHALLENGE WEEKEND

Smith sets race’s fastest lap on his way to third place.
(Poughkeepsie, NY, 24 August 2015) Guy Smith marked a successful return to Bentley Team Dyson Racing with a third-place finish in his Bentley Continental GT3 in Sunday’s Pirelli World Challenge race at Miller Motorsports Park. Smith set the race’s fastest lap during the course of a race-long battle with t Continue reading Dyson Racing– GUY SMITH’S PODIUM FINISH HIGHLIGHTS BENTLEY’S UTAH PIRELLI WORLD CHALLENGE WEEKEND

Dyson Racing– GUY SMITH REJOINS BENTLEY TEAM DYSON RACING FOR FINAL THREE 2015 PIRELLI WORLD CHALLENGE RACES

GUY SMITH REJOINS BENTLEY TEAM DYSON RACING FOR
FINAL THREE 2015 PIRELLI WORLD CHALLENGE RACES

Smith looks to repeat 2014 success at Miller Motorsports Park
Promoting closer relationship with Bentley’s global motorsports effort
(Poughkeepsie, NY, 17 August, 2015) Guy Smith will replace Butch Leitzinger in the #20 Bentley Team Dyson Racing Bentley Continental GT3 for the remainder of the 2015 Pirelli World Challenge season, beginning with this weekend’s race meeting at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, UT. Leitzinger will remain as the team’s reserve driver. Continue reading Dyson Racing– GUY SMITH REJOINS BENTLEY TEAM DYSON RACING FOR FINAL THREE 2015 PIRELLI WORLD CHALLENGE RACES

Dyson Racing–BENTLEY TEAM DYSON RACING LOOKS TO BUILD ON ELKHART LAKE VICTORY MOMENTUM AT MID-OHIO PIRELLI WORLD CHALLENGE

BENTLEY TEAM DYSON RACING LOOKS TO BUILD ON ELKHART LAKE VICTORY MOMENTUM AT MID-OHIO PIRELLI WORLD CHALLENGE
Drivers’ Championship Within Reach As Season Enters Final Stretch
Team Expects a “Launch” Forward in Start-Line Performance
(Poughkeepsie, NY, 30 July, 2015) Bentley Team Dyson Racing looks forward to this weekend at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course to backing up the team’s strong performance at the Road America Pirelli World Challenge triple-header at Elkhart Lake, WI last month. Chris Dyson’s convincing win in his Bentley Continental GT3 in Saturday’s race at Elkhart Lake highlighted the weekend, which saw Dyson and fellow Bentley Boy Butch Leitzinger post a combined five top six finishes in the weekend’s three races. Continue reading Dyson Racing–BENTLEY TEAM DYSON RACING LOOKS TO BUILD ON ELKHART LAKE VICTORY MOMENTUM AT MID-OHIO PIRELLI WORLD CHALLENGE

Dyson Racing–Chris Dyson a Winner for Bentley in Up and Down

Chris Dyson a Winner for Bentley in Up and Down
Road America Pirelli World Challenge Tripleheader
(Elkhart Lake, WI – 28 June, 2015) The fortunes of Bentley Team Dyson Racing rode a roller coaster over the course of the three-day, three-race Pirelli World Challenge weekend at Wisconsin’s challenging Road America circuit. The highlight of a weekend that marked the 30th anniversary of the team’s initial Road America professional race win – and the first anniversary of the debut of the Bentley Continental GT3 in Pirelli World Challenge competition – was Chris Dyson’s strong win on Saturday. Continue reading Dyson Racing–Chris Dyson a Winner for Bentley in Up and Down

BENTLEY TEAM DYSON RACING AT FULL STRENGTH FOR DeVILBISS PIRELLI WORLD CHALLENGE TRIPLEHEADER AT ROAD AMERICA

BENTLEY TEAM DYSON RACING AT FULL STRENGTH FOR DeVILBISS PIRELLI WORLD CHALLENGE TRIPLEHEADER AT ROAD AMERICA
First anniversary for team in Pirelli World Challenge competition.
Road America a good venue for Bentley Continental GT3
(Poughkeepsie, NY, 23 June 2015) Chris Dyson and Butch Leitzinger are looking forward to this weekend’s races at Road America in Elkhart Lake, WI. It not only marks the first anniversary of Bentley Team Dyson Racing’s successful entry in the Pirelli World Challenge, but the calendar offers Dyson and Leitzinger three opportunities to win, with the addition on Friday afternoon of a make-up race to replace the Sunday sprint cancelled because of adverse weather at last month’s Detroit Grand Prix.

Leitzinger, who last year drove the team’s single Bentley Continental GT3 entry to sixth and fourth-place finishes at Road America, is optimistic about the team’s chances on its return to the classic 4.0-mile circuit in Wisconsin’s hilly Kettle Moraine. “Our Bentleys are well suited to Road America,” he said, noting that during last year’s meet he set the second-fastest race lap. “The Continental GT3 has very good low-end torque and produces excellent high-speed downforce. Road America’s turns are medium to high-speed while the straightaways tend to be long – and two of them are uphill.”

A year’s worth of development has meant good progress in addressing two technical challenges the team faced during its early races. The first was getting a handle on the car’s electronic launch control, which is essential in order to do well on the standing-starts that are a feature of the series. “These are sprint races, less than an hour in length,” noted Dyson, who finished third in the sole Detroit race last month. “If you give up four or five places before you even get to the first corner, you’ve put yourself at a disadvantage. The top half of the field in the Pirelli World Challenge – the teams, drivers and cars – are all first-rate and there are no easy passes. We’ve made good progress with the launch-control system, and that’s been a big help.”

The other area where the team has improved its performance is in the car’s ability to make full use of the Pirelli tire that all competitors are required to use. “Pirelli provides an excellent tire for the series,” said Peter Weston, the team’s long-time technical director. “But it’s a bit ‘one size fits all’ and while some cars must carefully manage their tire strategy in order to be competitive at the end of the race, our challenge is just the opposite. Our Bentleys are easy on tires. We’ve worked to get our tires up to proper operating temperatures more quickly. Also, and it’s pretty much out of our control, a race that goes start to finish with no full-course cautions is to our advantage.”

Rob Dyson, the team’s founder and CEO, pronounced himself pleased with Bentley Team Dyson Racing’s first 12 months in Pirelli World Challenge competition, but not satisfied. “Bentley’s given us an excellent car to work with, and we’ve made good progress with it. We did win one race last year, one of the two during the season’s final weekend at Miller Motorsports Park, where the track layout and the high altitude both worked to our advantage. We’ve been close to victory a couple of times in the first half of this season. But I tend to look forward rather than back, so our focus is on progress in terms of on-track performance, further developing the car, and building on our strong relationship with Bentley Motors and M-Sport, who have both proved to be excellent partners.”

Dyson Racing–CHRIS DYSON SCORES ANOTHER PIRELLI WORLD CHALLENGE PODIUM FINISH FOR BENTLEY AT DETROIT GRAND PRIX

CHRIS DYSON SCORES ANOTHER PIRELLI WORLD CHALLENGE
PODIUM FINISH FOR BENTLEY AT DETROIT GRAND PRIX
Smart, Aggressive Drive Brings 3rd-Place in Saturday Race
Dyson Sets Second-Fastest Race Lap and Is Again Chosen “Clean Pass” Award Winner
Foul Weather Forces Cancellation of Sunday’s Race

(Detroit, Michigan, 1 June 2015) Chris Dyson recovered from a second-turn contretemps on the Belle Isle street course that dropped his Bentley Team Dyson Racing Continental GT3 from its seventh-place grid position to tenth at the end of the first lap and roared back to finish third in Saturday’s Pirelli World Challenge. Dyson was also chosen by series officials as winner of his series-leading, third “Invisible Glass Clean Pass of the Race” award of the season. Continue reading Dyson Racing–CHRIS DYSON SCORES ANOTHER PIRELLI WORLD CHALLENGE PODIUM FINISH FOR BENTLEY AT DETROIT GRAND PRIX

Dyson Racing–FAST LAPS & PODIUM FINISHES IN CANADA FOR LEITZINGER & DYSON

FAST LAPS & PODIUM FINISHES IN
CANADA FOR LEITZINGER & DYSON
3rd & 4th in Saturday race; 2nd & thrid on Sunday.
Leitzinger sets fastest Sunday race lap.
Bowmanville, ONT, (17 May 2015) Bentley Team Dyson Racing hit its stride this weekend with top finishes in both ends of the Pirelli World Challenge double-header at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park. Butch Leitzinger and Chris Dyson brought their Bentley Continental GT3s home third and fourth in Saturday’s 50-minute sprint race and then took it up a notch on Sunday, with Leitzinger and Dyson finishing second and third. Continue reading Dyson Racing–FAST LAPS & PODIUM FINISHES IN CANADA FOR LEITZINGER & DYSON

Dyson Racing–BENTLEY TEAM DYSON RACING AIMS FOR VICTORY IN CANADA

BENTLEY TEAM DYSON RACING AIMS FOR VICTORY IN CANADA
Canadian Tire Motorsports Park is historically good venue for Dyson Team.
Team returns to full strength with return of 2nd Continental GT3.

Canadian Tire Motorsports Park is historically good venue for Dyson Team.
Team returns to full strength with return of 2nd Continental GT3.

(Poughkeepsie, NY, 13 May 2015) Following a hard push, Bentley Team Dyson Racing returns this weekend in full strength to the Pirelli World Challenge at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, a venue that has brought the team great success in the past. Continue reading Dyson Racing–BENTLEY TEAM DYSON RACING AIMS FOR VICTORY IN CANADA

Dyson Racing–Chris Dyson Takes Strong 2nd Place at Long Beach Round of Pirelli World Challenge

Chris Dyson Takes Strong 2nd Place at
Long Beach Round of Pirelli World Challenge

Dyson’s charge from 12th on the grid highlighted by new lap record
Series of bold passes yields “Move of the Race” award
(Poughkeepsie, NY, 22 April 2015) Dodging spinning and crashing cars that limited a scheduled 50-minute race to just 17 minutes of green flag competition, Bentley Team Dyson Racing’s Chris Dyson drove his Continental GT3 to second place in the Grand Prix of Long Beach “Replay Roar by the Shore” round of the Pirelli World Challenge.

“This was a highly satisfying result,” said a smiling Dyson following the post-race winner’s circle ceremony. “I expected it was going to be a tough race with a lot of incidents. And I knew it would require a balance between aggression and caution in order to get to the front without getting caught up in somebody else’s accident.”

Dyson, who set a new race lap record on his way to the runner-up position, was also presented with the “Move of the Race” award in recognition of the many passes he executed in less than a dozen laps of green flag racing.

“For reasons beyond Bentley’s control or ours, the team struggled at Circuit of the Americas,” said Rob Dyson, CEO of Bentley Team Dyson Racing. “And we were a bit disappointed with the outcomes in yellow-shortened at St. Pete. But it all came together here in Long Beach and I think this confirms the promise the Continental GT3 showed when the team ran it in a few races at the end of last season.”

It wasn’t all post-race smiles in the Dyson section of the paddock though. Butch Leitzinger, who had lined up for the start directly behind Chris Dyson, had his race ruined before the first full green-flag lap when a rookie with little real-word racing experience drilled Leitzinger in the middle of a corner and pushed his Bentley straight into the wall. The car sustained sufficient damage that it the team will be unable to repair it prior to this weekend’s race in Alabama. “We were prpared to repair any damaged bodywork,” said team manager Mike White. “And we had on the truck all the necessary suspension pieces to repair the car. But the damage to the chassis itself was more than can be repaired on short notice. It’s really unfortunate because I think Butch would have followed Chris right up through the field at Long Beach. Now Chris won’t have a teammate to work with at Barber and we won’t have a second car so we can try different setups during the testing and practice.”

Despite the team fielding a single car this weekend for the Grand Prix of Alabama, Rob Dyson is upbeat about Bentley’s chances this weekend. “This definitely gives us great momentum going into this weekend’s races at Barber Motorsports Park. I’m very optimistic about the team’s chances there.”

Dyson Racing–GRAND PRIX OF LONG BEACH, GRAND PRIX OF ALABAMA AND THE RACE BETWEEN RACES FOR BENTLEY TEAM DYSON RACING

GRAND PRIX OF LONG BEACH, GRAND PRIX OF ALABAMA AND THE RACE BETWEEN RACES FOR BENTLEY TEAM DYSON RACING

Two Pirelli World Challenge Races in four days for Bentley
Bentley Team Dyson Racing faces 2,000-mile cross-country dash
Team prepares for all eventualities Continue reading Dyson Racing–GRAND PRIX OF LONG BEACH, GRAND PRIX OF ALABAMA AND THE RACE BETWEEN RACES FOR BENTLEY TEAM DYSON RACING

Dyson Racing–BENTLEY TEAM DYSON RACING READY FOR ST. PETE STREET FIGHT

BENTLEY TEAM DYSON RACING READY FOR ST. PETE STREET FIGHT
Qualifying is a key to a good result on Florida’s seaside street circuit.

(Poughkeepsie, NY, 24th March 2015) Bentley Team Dyson Racing is looking forward to this weekend’s Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Drivers Butch Leitzinger and Chris Dyson hope to post competitive performances with their Bentley Continental GT3 race cars in Rounds 3 and 4 of the Pirelli World Challenge. A critical first step is qualifying at or near the front of the field. Continue reading Dyson Racing–BENTLEY TEAM DYSON RACING READY FOR ST. PETE STREET FIGHT

Dyson Racing–BENTLEY TEAM DYSON RACING OPENS 2015 PIRELLI WORLD CHALLENGE SEASON AT CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS

BENTLEY TEAM DYSON RACING OPENS 2015 PIRELLI WORLD CHALLENGE SEASON AT CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS
Challenging Texas venue will showcase Bentley Continental GT3’s balance and performance.
Dyson drivers and engineers bring prior COTA experience to bear at the home of the U.S. Grand Prix. Continue reading Dyson Racing–BENTLEY TEAM DYSON RACING OPENS 2015 PIRELLI WORLD CHALLENGE SEASON AT CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS

Dyson Racing–BENTLEY TEAM DYSON RACING AIMS FOR 2015 PIRELLI WORLD CHALLENGE CHAMPIONSHIP

BENTLEY TEAM DYSON RACING AIMS FOR 2015 PIRELLI WORLD CHALLENGE CHAMPIONSHIP
Following successful winter testing, Bentley Team Dyson Racing prepares for PWC season-opener at Circuit of the Americas.
Butch Leitzinger and Chris Dyson named BTDR’s 2015 drivers. Continue reading Dyson Racing–BENTLEY TEAM DYSON RACING AIMS FOR 2015 PIRELLI WORLD CHALLENGE CHAMPIONSHIP

Dyson Racing–McMurry Preps for Estoril ELMS Final and Tests Bentley Continental GT3

McMurry Preps for Estoril ELMS Final and Tests Bentley Continental GT3

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – On his way to Spain for this weekend’s final round of the 2014 European Le Mans Series, Dyson Racing Junior Development Program driver Matt McMurry stopped in at Sebring to test the Dyson Racing Team Bentley Continental GT3. McMurry already has extensive experience in both open-wheel and sports-racing machinery, but the laps he turned Tuesday and Wednesday constituted McMurry’s first exposure to a production-based racecar. Continue reading Dyson Racing–McMurry Preps for Estoril ELMS Final and Tests Bentley Continental GT3

Dyson Racing–Successful Season for Dyson Racing Team Bentley Ends on Winning Note

Successful Season for Dyson Racing Team Bentley Ends on Winning Note

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – After joining the Pirelli World Challenge mid-way through the 2014 season Dyson Racing Team Bentley made rapid progress, culminating earlier this month with a race victory in the series final weekend at Miller Motorsport Park.
“Bentley was founded on motor racing,” notes Bentley Motors’ Director of Motorsport, Brian Gush. “W.O. Bentley started racing with his customer cars and built the legend of the Bentley Boys along with the marque’s reputation for speed, reliability and robust construction.” Continue reading Dyson Racing–Successful Season for Dyson Racing Team Bentley Ends on Winning Note

Dyson Racing Team Bentley Completes Pirelli World Challenge Season With Powerful Drives by Guy Smith and Butch Leitzinger

Dyson Racing Team Bentley Completes Pirelli World Challenge Season With Powerful Drives by Guy Smith and Butch Leitzinger

TOOELE, UT – The Bentley Continental GT3s of Butch Leitzinger and Guy Smith put on an amazing show to finish fourth and fifth in the final race of 2014 Pirelli World Challenge season. Guy Smith’s run from 41st-place at the end of the first lap, passing 32 cars and setting the fastest lap of the race by better than a half second, confirmed Bentley’s superior performance in a field that included a number of strong competitors in the series. With Smith taking Bentley’s inaugural PWC race win in Friday’s competition, it was an overall good weekend that capped a successful exploratory foray for Dyson Racing Team Bentley and the Continental GT 3 after joining the series at mid-season. Continue reading Dyson Racing Team Bentley Completes Pirelli World Challenge Season With Powerful Drives by Guy Smith and Butch Leitzinger