Bentley Speed 8

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 (Honeywell Turbo Technologies) turbocharger,{{cite web|url=http://turbo.honeywell.com/whats-new-in-turbo/press-release/honeywell-turbos-boost-14th-consecutive-victory-at-24-hours-of-le-mans/|title=Honeywell Turbo Technologies » Honeywell Turbos Boost 14th Consecutive Victory at 24 Hours of Le Mans|author=Honeywell Turbo Technologies|work=honeywell.com|access-date=2 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710193116/https://turbo.honeywell.com/whats-new-in-turbo/press-release/honeywell-turbos-boost-14th-consecutive-victory-at-24-hours-of-le-mans/|archive-date=10 July 2018|url-status=dead}} 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 tyres instead of the Michelins used by Audi.

File:Bentley Speed 8 at Coventry Motor Museum.jpg

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 tyres for their 2003 campaign.

In 2001 Bentley returned to the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans race, after a gap of 68 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 with assistance from 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 chequered 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. It was the last win at Le Mans for a closed cockpit car until Peugeot's win in 2009 with their 908 HDi FAP.

Following Le Mans the Bentley program ended, chassis no. 002-3 was last raced at Road America in 2007 prior to the 2012 RM Monterey auction.{{cite web|url=http://www.motorsportretro.com/2012/07/bentley-speed-8/|title=RM Auctions' Monterey: Bentley Speed 8|work=Motorsport Retro|date=27 July 2012 }}

A 2003 Bentley Speed 8 competed in 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed.{{cite web|url=http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1083052_bentleys-le-mans-winning-speed-8-returns-to-goodwood|title=Bentley's Le Mans-Winning Speed 8 Returns To Goodwood|author=Kurt Ernst|work=Motor Authority}}

A 2001 Bentley Speed 8 chassis no. 002-3 was sold to a Japanese collector, then it was subsequently sold to an American collector where it remains today (as of 2009), and was sold in 2012 RM Monterey auction for US$2,530,000.{{cite web|url=http://www.rmauctions.com/lots/lot.cfm?lot_id=1052926|title=2001 Bentley Speed 8 Le Mans Prototype Racing Car|work=RM Auctions}} It remains the sole car outside Bentley ownership.

The car was awarded by Autosport as Racing Car of the Year in 2003.

The 2001 EXP Speed 8 appears as a playable vehicle in Total Immersion Racing, R: Racing Evolution, GT Racing: Motor Academy and GT Racing 2: The Real Car Experience while the 2003 Speed 8 in Gran Turismo 4, Gran Turismo 5, Gran Turismo 6, Forza Motorsport, Project CARS and GRID Legends.

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• [http://www.mulsannescorner.com/bentleyelleray.html Mulsanne's Corner] – Interview with Bentley designer Peter Elleray
• [https://3dmodels.org/360-view/?id=154326 Bentley Speed 8] – 360-view of the racing car in 3D

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{{succession box | before = Ferrari F2002 | title = Autosport
Racing Car Of The Year | after = Ferrari F2004| years = 2003}}

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{{Bentley timeline 1998 to date}}

Speed 8

Category:Le Mans Prototypes

Category:24 Hours of Le Mans race cars

Category:Le Mans winning cars

Category:Sports prototypes