Bentley EXP Speed 8 and Guy Smith at Silverstone today - pics

[Tim Dunlop]

Hi there,

Thanks to a member of Pistonheads I had a heads up that Bentley Drivers Club event was taking place today at Silverstone.

I remember reading in Autosport last year that Bentley had brought along its EXP Speed 8 Le Mans car to this event, so I contacted the Drivers Club earlier this week and they told me that the car would again be out on track. Better still the car was being driven by none other than Guy Smith (2003 Le Mans Winner with Bentley). I simply had to go.

I arrived at Silverstone and found out that due to it being National Motorsports week there was no admission charge, this day just gets better.

Took loads of pics but here are three of my favourites: -







Those of you who are keen eyed may have noticed that this car has actually been converted to a two seater and a couple of lucky people managed to get a passenger ride in this stunning car.

The Speed 8 only spent 15 minutes out on track during the lunch break in the racing programme. I had to dash from the pits to the national straight to get these shots, but for me they are an essential part of my collection.

You can view more of my pictures on my site using the link below: -

http://www.dunlopix.com/Bentley%20Club.html

Regards

Tim

[rdjones]

Great photo's, I went to the meeting back in 2003 when Guy did a demo in the 2nd placed car from that years race. I had plan to go along today but due to my camara problems at Snetterton last weekend put pay to that.

[broadrun96]

That would be the GREATEST ride you could get. They definitely are the lucky few.

[kingkai]

Nice pics, thank you for sharing.
How did you get in the pits. Told them you are a Bentley owner as well, showning a miniature version of the Speed 8 , just kidding Nice for you, it was the National motorsports week.

[zac510]

Stunning car. Thanks Tim!

[chocmonster7]

Nice pics, I would have much prefered to be there than entertaining my grandparents down the road in Harpenden!

[rcarr]

It is a good looking car but its a shame its an Audi R8 underneath.

[pederb]

I forgot how beautiful that car is

[Rockmunky]

Originally Posted by rcarr

It is a good looking car but its a shame its an Audi R8 underneath.

Yes... What a shame it's a very successful car underneath...

[jhansen]

Originally Posted by rcarr

It is a good looking car but its a shame its an Audi R8 underneath.

Ask Peter Elleray about that...

[gucom]

wow i never really noticed just how beautiful that car is... the cockpit / engine bay looks like a perfect teardrop, placed onto a relatively clean racecar...

[rdjones]

I have just had an e-mail from Motorsport Vision saying that a EXP8 will be out at the Outlon Park on Bank Holiday Monday, during the Gold Cup meeting. I am planning to attend that meeting away but that is even more reason to attend.

[jhansen]

It really is a fabulous looking car. But I always liked the 2003 version better.

[Adam43]

I preferred that version, it became a bit more prototype in '03. Albeit more effective! An odd thing to say I grant you, but I just think the front and the rear balance better in the earlier cars.

Purely in the eye of the beholder though.

[knighty]

Originally Posted by jhansen

Ask Peter Elleray about that...

darn right, as peter is a member of this forum I dare say he will roll about the floor laughing with that comment.......like the erest of us......its a totally different car and its a bigger (4 Litre) engine, different tyres, closed top etc.

[minimangler]

But, it still has audi parts (spit that bit for more effect). German! In a Bentley! Golly, chaps, thats just not sporting, is it?

[Graham Goodwin]

Says the bloke with an (Audi-owned) lamborghini for an avatar

[JAG]

It's a pitty the Bentley has almost been wiped from history, but that's what you get with a half hearted, pretty cynical marketing led program.

Marketing's a key point of all manufactuer programs, but the fact they competed so infrequently and had the 2003 win virtually handed to them on a plate, doesn't leave any lasting legacy.

I just hope if Jaguar ever return it's a long term program like the Group C years, the brand is still living of those success's, while the F1 prgram is nothing but an embarassment.