The Bentley Speed 8 ended 70 years of Crewe’s absence from Le Mans in stunning fashion, in so many ways. For one thing, it is one of the most striking and attractive prototypes of the modern era.
You’ll see that firsthand at the Scramble on 19 June, because Bentley is bringing along the class-winning EXP from 2002.
For another, the Speed 8 won Le Mans at just the third time of asking, in updated (and arguably even more attractive) form.
And Bentley, like it did in the 1930s, shut up the Le Mans shop and decided against defending its crown; job done.
Designed by Peter Elleray, then initially run under the guidance of privateer Le Mans hero Richard Lloyd, and bolstered by a stellar driving squad including Grand Prix racers and Le Mans winners, the Bentley EXP Speed 8 was a statement that Bentley intended to fight all the way to the top step.
It is not, as the old jibe goes, a rebadged Audi or an Audi with a roof. Yet the myth prevails. It did carry a modified powerplant from the R8 but it was bolted to a very different gearbox. It was also drawn by the man who created the R8C. But it was a clean-sheet design, not from Ingolstadt but from the motorsport hotbed of Norfolk via Crewe. Elleray no doubt tires of pointing that out.
The EXP first hit the track in 2001, securing third overall at Le Mans and first in the GTP class that Bentley literally had for itself. The following season was effectively written off as attention turned to 2003, underlining the EXP name.
A two-car team became one, with the aim for 2002 being to prove the all-new 4-litre V8 engine. Andy Wallace, Eric van de Poele and American Butch Leitzinger reunited for the sole Crewe entry and once again Bentley was in a class of its own. Once again, that was immaterial: the goal was an overall win in 12 months’ time, not whatever happened in 2002.
"We would like to repeat, if not better, our 2001 podium position this year,” underlined boss Franz-Josef Paefgen at the start of 2002. “But believe me: we are definitely aiming for the top step in 2003 with the new car!"
Fourth place, 362 laps and 5000km in the books, the car you’ll see at the Scramble laid the vital groundwork for what would be Bentley’s sixth Le Mans win and first since 1930. It still stands as the last win for a British marque.
You’ll find the 2002 Bentley EXP Speed 8 on the Le Mans Lawn around Building 123, where it will be joined by many stars from La Sarthe.
