20/24 #10: Bentley Speed 8
Chosen by: David Brabham
Best finish: 1st, 2003
Team: Team Bentley
Driven by: Dindo Capello, Tom Kristensen, Guy Smith, Johnny Herbert, David Brabham, Mark Blundell

Few brands resonate with Le Mans like Bentley. But for more than 75 years, its association with La Sarthe was based on glorious, but distant, history. That changed at the start of the 21st century.

With Audi dominating Le Mans, VAG stablemate Bentley had an opportunity to take the best of the Audi and then develop their own car. The initial effort wasn’t bad, but 2003’s Speed 8 was a spaceship, taken to the very extremes of the regulations.

“I knew Bentley were in the 3rd year of their Le Mans programme, and that’s the best time to jump in as it normally takes three years to have a chance of winning,” says David Brabham, who was drafted in to drive the #8 Bentley in 2003. “All the learning from the previous car was rolled into the new Speed 8, and Audi were more engaged in the background. Who better at the time when Audi were so dominant with their R8?”

Sometimes, the bleeding edge of technology can leave the heart unflustered, but the Speed 8 was – and remains – jaw-dropping.

“When I saw the car for the first time I fell in love,” continues Brabham. “It was, and still is, one of the most beautiful cars ever to race at Le Mans. Even today, it can sit next to any Le Mans prototype and be centre stage.”

It was as fast as it looked. It was “beautifully balanced” according to Brabham, but also lightning fast, and reliable too.

“The race was a great result for Bentley, a first and second,” says Brabham, whose car finished second, shared with Britons Johnny Herbert and Mark Blundell. “I felt pretty empty when I crossed the line, knowing it had been a great chance to win, but that soon wore off on the podium when Johnny and Mark gave me a big hug.”

There’s one thing, above all, that resonates for Brabham.

“To be a Bentley Boy is truly something special!”

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