2007 Bentley Calista Rally

(from Bentley Motors Press Release) Vintage Bentleys head to Turkey for twin celebration
9 May, 2007

Sixteen vintage Bentleys will cross an entire continent this month when the Bentley Calista Rally 2007 begins on Saturday May 5.

The 4000km event marks the opening of two new landmarks in Turkey: the stunning new Bentley Istanbul showroom on the Bosphorus, a major investment by the well known Dogus Otomotiv and the all-new Calista Luxury Resort in Belek.

Setting off in London, the rally heads for the Turkish capital Istanbul, site of the new Bentley Istanbul showroom, before finishing on May 17 in Belek, Turkey’s premier luxury golf and leisure resort. There the event’s closing ceremony will be one of the highlights of the grand opening of the all-new Calista Luxury Resort.

Bentley Istanbul will be run by Dogus Otomotiv, importer of Volkswagen Group brands in Turkey and will be Bentley’s first dealership in the country. Attending the opening event on May 29, 2007 will be Bentley Chairman and Chief Executive Dr. Franz-Josef Paefgen.

Organised by internationally renowned architect, Frank Solano, and acclaimed designer, Eddie McGuire, the Bentley Calista Rally is sponsored by Bentley Motors, Bentley Istanbul and Bentley Vienna and will be run in the true spirit of the original Bentley Boys, whose motorsport feats in the 1920s and ’30s made the marque’s name legendary.

“We are proud to be flying the Bentley flag across Europe and into Turkey,” says Solano. “This sort of spectacle is classic Bentley and there can be no better place to end than at the wonderful resort of Belek. We know it is going to be a lot of fun and we hope to bring some pleasure to the countries we pass through along the way.”

Open by invitation only to members of the Benjafield’s Racing Club (Le Mans 24 Hours winner Dudley Benjafield was one of the founding members of the original Bentley Boys), the rally will maintain the amazing combination of sophistication, luxury and excitement that the Bentley Boys brought to the world of motoring in their heyday.

The rally will be a demanding blend of endurance and stamina for the drivers and their machines. During its two-week duration it will cross the entire European continent, passing through 10 countries.

Sixteen vintage Bentleys have been invited to participate including seven stunning Bentley Speed Sixes, seven Bentley 4.5 Litres one of which a Blower. The drivers range from as far a field as the United Kingdom, America, Ireland, Germany, Italy and Denmark.

EDITOR’S NOTES:

Bentley Motors was formed in 1919 and dominated the world of endurance motorsport in the 1920s with five victories in the Le Mans 24 Hours race. Bentley Motors currently produces six models including the hugely successful Continental range and the all-new Bentley Brooklands.

Dogus Otomotiv is part of Dogus Holding, one of Turkey’s biggest companies. Dogus Otomotiv’s Volkswagen Group dealer network contains 155 showrooms and their 2005 sales volume represented 11.5% of the total Turkish automotive market.

Calista Group is a privately owned business with interests as varied as large construction projects, the cement industry, hotels and resorts. The all-new 5-star Calista Luxury Resort in Belek which will be opened on 19th May, 2007.