Prototype Bentley Racing Car for 2001 Le Mans

This is the first official picture of the first all-new Bentley EXP Speed 8 Le Mans prototype racing car. Although not yet to final specification, RTN designer Peter Elleray will be working with the Bentley Motors design team at Crewe to finesse the design over the coming months.

Earlier this month, Bentley Motors confirmed that it will be back at Le Mans in 2001, for the first time in over 70 years. The EXP Speed 8 has been quietly under development in the UK for more than a year and has recently started an extensive testing schedule under programme manager Richard Lloyd of Apex Motorsport.

British driver James Weaver, who has contested Le Mans 12 times, has been signed up to test EXP Speed 8 for the Bentley racing team which is being managed from Crewe by a small group of Bentley Motors directors. The driver line-up is yet to be
confirmed.

The 3-Litre Bentley of John Duff was the sole British entry at the first-ever Le Mans in 1923 and came in fourth despite the absence of front wheel brakes. Bentley Motors went on to win Le Mans five times out of eight starts in 1924, 1927, 1928, 1929 (finishing first, second, third and fourth) and 1930.