A visit with David Hobbs and his Bentley Continental GT V8

David Hobbs’ racing career spanned three decades. Places: Daytona, Indianapolis, Le Mans, Lime Rock, Malory Park, Nürburg, Silverstone, Watkins Glen.

Cars: BMW, Ferrari, Ford, Honda, Jaguar, Lola, Lotus. Just to name a few.

His career as a racing announcer and commentator began in 1976 and lasted until 2017. In 1987 he opened and managed a Honda dealership.

He is at least partly retired now, enjoying his children, grandchildren and great-grandson. His everyday transportation is a 2013 Bentley Continental GT V8 drophead coupe. We gathered in his living room among paintings by his wife Margaret, Mags to family and friends, and David’s memorabilia, to chat for a few minutes.

Spontaneously beginning the conversation, David told of how his father had developed a unique automatic transmission, the Hobbs Mecha-Matic, and how, through a maze of corporate mechanizations, the huge fortune such an invention should have provided basically went up in smoke.

Another story revolves around David’s apprenticeship at Daimler. This occurred after Daimler had been absorbed by Jaguar and the company was then developing the world-pleasing E-Type. Before he left the company, one of his supervisors had bluntly reprimanded him. “Hobbs,” he said, “you are the worst apprentice I’ve ever had. You are destined to be a complete failure in life.” Nothing like giving a young man encouragement and a sense of self-worth. Obviously this man’s clairvoyance that day was running on empty.

So, first question: Why a Bentley?

“Can you imagine when you are 84 years old climbing in and out of a Ferrari?” he replies. “Also, I very much enjoy the luxury of the Bentley.”

The car was a surprise gift from his son Guy who knew and understood Dad’s preferences. David is partial to the Bentley marque, and he wanted, living in Florida, a white exterior with a light interior. Although this car filled the bill, there were some needed, four-figure repairs; this is a Bentley after all. David gave points for the 8’s minimum wind noise and remarked on the high quality of the brakes. The latter, coming from a seasoned, professional driver, stands as a solid compliment to Bentley Motors engineering.

A follow-up question: If you had been part of the design team, what would you have changed or added?

“Nothing really,” he replies, “but because of the big hood [convertible top] there is a tremendous blind spot. It makes it difficult backing out of a parking spot. I plan to install a backup camera.”

Other than that, it appears that David is well pleased with his Bentley 8. And why not? The twin-turbo 4-liter V8 pumps out 500 horses and 487 lb.-ft. of torque. Top speed is over 190 mph. Would it be an exaggeration to say that this is more than adequate for cruising Vero Beach, sailing over the various bridges spanning the nearby bays and rivers, picking up the groceries or visiting friends down the way?

And one last question: What advice for those seeking to become a professional race driver? “Tell them to practice their golf skills,” he quips. “Golf or tennis. Racing is so unbelievably….”

Here Mags jumps in: “Tell them to do whatever they want to do. Follow your own your heart. Don’t do what they want you to do.” Consider the courage in that remark, coming from one who for decades had watched every race and knew all the possible mishaps and dangers her husband could encounter.

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