Which British marque won Le Mans six times, including the 2003 race? Bentley did. Its six overall victories came in 1924, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930 and 2003.
Bentley established its early Le Mans reputation through the “Bentley Boys,” a group of wealthy, fast-driving enthusiasts who raced the company’s sturdy sports cars. Woolf Barnato was central to the four-win streak from 1927 through 1930, including victories in the Bentley 4½ Litre and Speed Six. The 1930 triumph was Bentley’s fifth overall win.
The marque’s sixth victory arrived 73 years later. The No. 7 Bentley Speed 8, driven by Tom Kristensen, Rinaldo Capello and Guy Smith, won the 2003 race ahead of another Bentley. That result is sometimes confused with Audi’s era of dominance, since Audi still finished third and had won the previous three editions.
Bentley’s six wins place it below Jaguar’s seven and well behind Porsche, Audi and Ferrari. “Marque” means the manufacturer or brand credited with the victory, not necessarily the country where the car was built.