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==Development== ==Development==
All design, development and manufacturing for the Bentley was done by the English outfit, Racing Technology Norfolk (RTN), located in Norfolk, United Kindgom. Peter Elleray was the Chief Designer.
⚫ Although ] did most of the work on the initial EXP Speed 8 (EXP for Experimental), they were assisted by parent company ] who already had experience with running prototypes. The engine from the ], a 3.6 litre turbocharged V8, was used as the initial powerplant in 2001. The six-speed gearbox was also not the typical Ricardo unit from the R8, but instead a custom unit developed by Xtrac. Meanwhile, the chassis would be constructured by Racing Technology Norfolk (RTN), unlike the R8 which had been built by ]. Bentley also chose to run on ] tires instead of the ]s used by Audi.

⚫ The engine from the ], a 3.6 litre turbocharged V8, was used as the initial powerplant in 2001. The six-speed gearbox was also not the typical Ricardo unit from the R8, but instead a custom unit developed by Xtrac. Bentley also chose to run on ] tires instead of the ]s used by Audi.


Following its initial year of competition, the Audi-sourced V8 was modified to better suit the EXP Speed 8. This saw the engine expanded to 4.0 litres, producing approximately 600]. This would ultimately lead to Bentley redesigning the car for 2003, leading to the change of name to simply Speed 8. The flat front end was replaced with a raised crash box for a nose, while deep valleys ran between the nose and fenders. This required the addition of large horizontal bodywork between the nose and fenders to shroud the suspension arms of the Speed 8. The cockpit would also be tapered to allow for better airflow to the rear wing. Bentley also decided to switch to Michelin tires for their 2003 campaign. Following its initial year of competition, the Audi-sourced V8 was modified to better suit the EXP Speed 8. This saw the engine expanded to 4.0 litres, producing approximately 600]. This would ultimately lead to Bentley redesigning the car for 2003, leading to the change of name to simply Speed 8. The flat front end was replaced with a raised crash box for a nose, while deep valleys ran between the nose and fenders. This required the addition of large horizontal bodywork between the nose and fenders to shroud the suspension arms of the Speed 8. The cockpit would also be tapered to allow for better airflow to the rear wing. Bentley also decided to switch to Michelin tires for their 2003 campaign.

Revision as of 13:06, 10 November 2007

File:Le mans bentley no8.jpg
A Bentley EXP Speed 8 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Racing car model
Bentley Speed 8
CategoryLMGTP
ConstructorBentley Motors Limited
Designer(s)Peter Elleray
Technical specifications
ChassisCarbon fiber and aluminum honeycomb monocoque, carbon roll hoop integrated with roof structure
Suspension (front)Independent double wishbones, pushrods, torsion bar, telescopic dampers
Suspension (rear)Independent double wishbones, pushrods, torsion bar, telescopic dampers
EngineAudi 4.0 liter 90-degree V8 twin-turbo, mid-engine, longitudinally mounted
TransmissionBentley Xtrac 6-speed sequential manual with Megaline pneumatic actuation
TyresDunlop 2001-2002, Michelin radial 2003
Competition history
Notable entrantsBentley
Notable driversTom Kristensen,
Guy Smith,
Rinaldo Capello,
Martin Brundle,
Mark Blundell,
Eric van de Poele,
Johnny Herbert,
David Brabham,
Gunnar Van Der Staur
DebutEXP Speed 8 2001 & Speed 8 2003
RacesWinsPolesF/Laps
2001 24 Hours of Le Mans, 2002 24 Hours of Le Mans, 2003 24 Hours of Le Mans2003 24 Hours of Le Mans #7 Speed 82003 24 Hours of Le Mans 3:32.843 #7 Speed 83:35.529 #8 Speed 8
Constructors' ChampionshipsNone
Drivers' ChampionshipsNone

The Bentley Speed 8 (originally known as the Bentley EXP Speed 8) was a Le Mans Prototype race car that was designed to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Debuting in 2001, the car finally won in 2003 before the project was cancelled. It has a strong resemblance to and shares some technology with the Audi R8C, which had raced only once before Audi dropped the project to focus on the later dominant Audi R8. The Speed 8 marked Bentley's return to racing after a 73-year absence.

Development

All design, development and manufacturing for the Bentley was done by the English outfit, Racing Technology Norfolk (RTN), located in Norfolk, United Kindgom. Peter Elleray was the Chief Designer.

The engine from the Audi R8, a 3.6 litre turbocharged V8, was used as the initial powerplant in 2001. The six-speed gearbox was also not the typical Ricardo unit from the R8, but instead a custom unit developed by Xtrac. Bentley also chose to run on Dunlop tires 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. This saw the engine expanded to 4.0 litres, producing approximately 600 hp. This would ultimately lead to Bentley redesigning the car for 2003, leading to the change of name to simply Speed 8. The flat front end was replaced with a raised crash box for a nose, while deep valleys ran between the nose and fenders. This required the addition of large horizontal bodywork between the nose and fenders to shroud the suspension arms of the Speed 8. The cockpit would also be tapered to allow for better airflow to the rear wing. Bentley also decided to switch to Michelin tires for their 2003 campaign.

In total two Bentley testbeds, four EXP Speed 8s, and five Speed 8s would be built, although some chassis would never race due to damage or being converted to display cars.

Racing history

In 2001 Bentley returned to the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans race, after a gap of 73 years, for a planned three-year campaign with the EXP Speed 8 in the closed-cockpit LMGTP class. During its run, the Bentleys were the only cars to run in the LMGTP class. Two cars were entered, with one earning third place behind a pair of Audi R8s. The other car unfortunately retired after a strong run in the rain due to a fire which caused the driver to abandon the car. Bentley returned in 2002, using their new larger engine, now running a lone entry as a testbed for the evolved Speed 8 in 2003. The car managed fourth place, once again behind only R8s.

For 2003, Bentley decided that their new evolved Speed 8 would need competitive testing in order to prepare for an overall win at Le Mans. The pair of new cars were therefore entered in the American Le Mans Series 12 Hours of Sebring. Despite having to start at the back of the field due to a rules infraction in qualifying, the two cars quickly made their way through the field. The Bentleys were able to take third and fourth places, behind the factory and a privateer R8.

Returning to Le Mans and joined by Joest Racing, a Bentley started from pole position. With no works Audi team participating, the two cars were able to lead nearly the entire event, with the #7 entry ahead of the #8, which had some electrical problems during the race. After 377 laps, the #7 Bentley successfully took the checkered flag, followed by the sister car two laps behind. This helped give the Volkswagen Group their fourth straight victory at Le Mans, split between the Audi and Bentley brands.

Following Le Mans the Bentley program ended, and the Speed 8s were never raced again.

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