Winning Bentley Boys Regroup for Le Mans 2002

New Bentley Engine and 2003 Programme Confirmed

Bentley Motors confirmed today that the winning line up of Bentley Boys Andy Wallace, Butch Leitzinger and Eric van de Poele would be back at the wheel of the Bentley EXP Speed 8 for this year's assault on the world's most challenging motor race - the 24 hours of Le Mans. Bentley Motors Chairman elect Franz-Josef Paefgen said: "It will be good to have the Le Mans class winning team back in the Bentley EXP Speed 8. 2002 will be a very important development year for Team Bentley as we will have the new Bentley engine in the race car for the first time."

"I can confirm that the powerplant will be a 4.0 litre twin turbocharged, direct injection engine, which will be unique to Bentley and developed in close cooperation with Audi. As the engine will not be ready for testing in the car until March, we will have a single entry at Le Mans for 2002, but we plan to carry out extensive testing throughout the rest of this year with the possibility of an additional race later in the season."

"Furthermore, we know there is a great deal of potential in the chassis, so we intend to develop a next generation EXP Speed 8 for the 2003 season. With this new Bentley, which we will roll out by the beginning of next year, we plan a fully competitive assault beginning in Sebring in March and, of course including Le Mans in June."

"We would like to repeat, if not better, our 2001 podium position this year, but believe me we are definitely aiming for the top step in 2003 with the new car!" concluded Paefgen.