Bentley Speed 8

Lore & Background

All design, development and manufacturing for the Bentley was by Racing Technology Norfolk (RTN), located in Norfolk, United Kingdom, formerly TOM'S GB. The chief designer was Peter Elleray. Operations for the car were handled by veteran endurance racing driver Richard Lloyd's Audi Sport UK, operating under the title of Team Bentley. The engine from the Audi R8, a 3.6 litre V8 with turbocharger, was used as the initial powerplant in 2001.

The six-speed gearbox was a custom unit developed by Xtrac. Bentley chose to run on Dunlop tyres instead of the Michelins used by Audi. Following its initial year of competition, the Audi-sourced V8 was modified to better suit the EXP Speed 8, expanded to 4.0 litres, producing approximately 600 hp. This led to Bentley redesigning the car for 2003, changing the name to Speed 8.

The flat front end was replaced with a raised crash box for a nose, deep valleys ran between the nose and fenders, large horizontal bodywork was added to shroud the suspension arms, and the cockpit was tapered for better airflow to the rear wing. Bentley switched to Michelin tyres for their 2003 campaign.

Reader's Guide

In 2001 Bentley returned to Le Mans after a gap of 68 years with the EXP Speed 8 in the LMGTP class. Two cars were entered; one earned third place behind a pair of Audi R8s, the other retired due to a fire. In 2002, using the larger engine, a lone entry managed fourth place behind R8s. For 2003, two Speed 8s were entered in the 12 Hours of Sebring, starting at the back due to a qualifying infraction, and took third and fourth behind two R8s. At Le Mans with assistance from Joest Racing, a Bentley started from pole. With no works Audi team, the two cars led nearly the entire event; the #7 won after 377 laps, followed by the #8 two laps behind. This gave the Volkswagen Group their fourth straight Le Mans victory. It was the last win for a closed cockpit car until Peugeot's win in 2009.

Did You Know?

• The Bentley Speed 8's 4.0-liter V8 was a modified version of the Audi R8's 3.6-liter V8, not a Bentley-specific architecture.
• Bentley's 2003 Le Mans win was the last overall victory for a closed-cockpit car until Peugeot's 908 HDi FAP in 2009.
• Chassis no. 002-3, a 2001 Bentley Speed 8, was sold at the 2012 RM Monterey auction for US$2,530,000 and remains the sole car outside Bentley ownership.