Phil Bennett

[KA]

Just been looking at the preliminary entry list for the Sebring 12-hours sportscar race in the US, and spotted a familiar-looking name sharing a Risi Competizione Ferrari with Marino Franchitti- Phillip Bennett.

http://www.imsaracing.net/imsa.cfm?h.../entrylist.htm

(scroll down to the GT class- 3rd or so un-numbered car at the top of the list

Would this be THE Phil Bennett by any chance?

[KA]

According to Dailysportscar.com, it does seem to be Phil in the Ferrari.

So does this have any significance- ie is he actually confirmed at Proton this year, or is this a change of career direction, or just a one-off before the BTCC season starts?

On the other hand, after he had that race in British GTs at Brands in 2001, I seem to recall him saying he wanted a go at Le Mans at some point- and according to Autosport this morning, the Risi team are aiming to run at Le Mans this year.....

[Turkington Fan]

Well he's only got 10 race meetings a year in the BTCC, so I think he's branching out into other series now he's established himself a bit. He's going to run in the EERC Endurance Series this year as well.

[Craig]

Phil Bennett HAS been confirmed at Proton - he simply likes his racing! He's done GTs before and at the end of last year he raced in the European Clio V6 series on Saturday before flying out to race a Fiat at Mondello the following day! He's just keen...

[spanner]

I did see him talking to the EERC guys at the Autosport show. He's been a full time tester for Cars & Car Conversions magazine for the past few months it seems.