Team Bentley has this week put the finishing touches to its preparations for the Le Mans 24 hours race. In a two day test at Snetterton, a brand new Bentley Speed 8 Le Mans prototype was rolled out by British Bentley Boys Johnny Herbert, Mark Blundell and David Brabham.
The new car, chassis 004/5, ran faultlessly straight out of the truck while chassis 004/3 was also on hand to complete its last laps prior to the race. Bentley Boys Tom Kristensen, Dindo Capello, and Guy Smith were also in attendance to practice pit stops while the team concentrated on component changing in race conditions. The time taken to fully service the car is now approximately 45 seconds.
Brian Gush, Bentley's Motorsport Director said: 'It's been a good test with no problems other than the weather. We have completed our programme on time and go to Le Mans with more testing and preparation under our belts than in any previous year. The new car ran perfectly throughout and we made great progress in cutting down time spent during both routine and unscheduled pit stops.'
The two Bentley Speed 8 prototypes will be on view at Le Mans during all of next week and can be seen in action prior to the race during first and second qualifying on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.
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