Car of the Month - August 2002 Bentley EXP Speed 8

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Car of the Month - August 2002
Bentley EXP Speed 8, 2002, #002/2

Bentley EXP8

The story of Bentley's 5 triumphant victories at Le Mans in 1924, 1927, 1928, 1929 and 1930 is British automotive legend. A period of 71 years with no works Bentley racing followed before in 2001 a Bentley EXP Speed 8 was entered in the "24 Hours of Le Mans" again, did win its class and finished 3rd overall. Bentley complied with the slogan "Never change a winning team" when the same drivers Andy Wallace, Eric van de Poele and Butch Leitzinger were sent to the Sarthe racecourse in 2002 again.

Bentley EXP8

Their Bentley EXP Speed 8 though was a much modified version. Almost identical in outward appearance the car sported technical components that had been thoroughly up-dated. The engine was described as brand-new - a 4-litre direct fuel injection twin turbo power-plant. In parallel Dunlop developed new race tyres. The Bentley EXP Speed 8 finished the 2202 "24 Hours of Le Mans" in its class in 1st position and gained a 4th overall. A respectable result - the more so because instead of 2 cars as in 2001 it had been decided to have but one entrant at Le Mans in 2002. Main reason had been that development already concentrated on a complete new car for the 2003 season.

In 2003 Bentley will be present at major races around the world. Sebring in March 2003 will be an early start. And first plans for Le Mans in June 2003 were already at an advanced stage before the car shown here warmed-up for Le Mans 2002.

Bentley EXP8

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