<< Prev Page 2 of 3 Next >> The very first EXP Speed 8 was tested extensively in 2000 and the lessons learned were carried over on the brand new chassis built for the 2001 24 Hours of Le Mans. Painted British Racing Green with silver accents, two examples were entered for the race. The #7 car failed to reach the finish but the #8 ended the race in a highly promising third overall and first in class. It was only beaten by two R8s. For 2002 only a single example was entered, which was fitted with a four-liter version of the V8 engine. The enlarged displacement suited the LM GTP restrictors a lot better. It could do no better than 4th this time round but again won the LM GTP class.
By this time Elleray and his team of designers was well under way with the development work for the definitive Speed 8. Apart from the four liter engine very little was carried over. The most fundamental change was the monocoque that now featured a raised footbox. As a result the front aerodynamics changed considerably with the air flowing through the suspension rather than over it. The air-intakes for the turbochargers were moved from the roof to the side-pods, much like on the Audi. The revised suspension now also featured torsion bar springs at the rear. For the first time in the project, a high-downforce 'sprint' aero-package was also created, so the car could race at other tracks than Le Mans.
The Bentley Speed 8 immediately demonstrated its potential by clinching the first two positions on the grid of the 2003 Sebring 12 Hours race. A rules infraction saw them stripped off their times and relegated to the back of the grid. The two Bentleys fought their way back up the leader-board in quick succession but failed to catch up with the two quickest R8s. The race was eventually won by the Joest entered R8 ahead of a sister car entered by the American Champion Racing. The Speed 8s had to make do with third and fourth overall, which was still a very strong result in their debut race. << Prev Page 2 of 3 Next >>
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The very first EXP Speed 8 was tested extensively in 2000 and the lessons learned were carried over on the brand new chassis built for the 2001 24 Hours of Le Mans. Painted British Racing Green with silver accents, two examples were entered for the race. The #7 car failed to reach the finish but the #8 ended the race in a highly promising third overall and first in class. It was only beaten by two R8s. For 2002 only a single example was entered, which was fitted with a four-liter version of the V8 engine. The enlarged displacement suited the LM GTP restrictors a lot better. It could do no better than 4th this time round but again won the LM GTP class.