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11010 view(s) Proof that Bentley isn't interested in simply making up the numbers can be found in the big transfer of key personell from Audi and Joest racing to England. There they will play a waiting game until the new (more equal) GTP regulations will fall in place in 2004.
In 2001 Bentley returned to the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans race, after a gap of 73 years, for a three-year campaign with the EXP Speed 8. The car, a closed-top sports prototype, built to the ACO LM GTP regulations, had a twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V-8 race engine from parent company Audi, who had been campaigning their successful R8 prototype since 1999.
The same basic V8 engine was also used in the Audi R8, although separate developments were made to each engine. Developing around 600 hp, the Bentley achieved 105 mph in first gear, and went on to a top speed of over 220 mph.
The two-car entry gained 3rd place in 2001, with the other car retiring in a fireball after a strong run in the rain. In 2002 the lone entry achieved 4th place, now powered by a 4.0-liter turbocharged version of the V-8 engine and carrying revised bodywork. Both 2001 and 2002 races were won by the works Audi Sport Team Joest team. Being the only entrant in its class—all other prototypes were of the open-cockpit variety—the Speed 8 always finished 1st in the LM GTP category.
It had been rumoured that the Volkswagen Group intended the 2001 and 2002 events to be solely 'warm-up' races for Bentley so that the works Audi Sport Team Joest outfit could try and claim a hat trick of wins in 2000, 2001 and 2002 (which they did do, emphatically) and then leave Team Bentley to go for overall honours in 2003 after the works Audi team quit in 2002.
Sources: Wikipedia, Le Mans 24hrs 2001/2003.
XP Speed 8 data:
Length: 4630 mm, Width: 1990 mm, Wheelbase: 2730 mm,
Front Overhang: 900 mm, Rear Overhang: 1000 mm, Front track: 1700 mm, Rear track: 1680 mm.
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Models for Bentley EXP Speed 8
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Manufacturer |
Model |
Scale |
Dimensions (LxWxH) |
Wheelbase |
Front spur |
Rear spur |
Le Mans Miniatures |
LM 02 |
1/24 |
0.0x83.0x0.0 |
99.9 |
82.0 |
83.0 |
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