Photo : Dirk CAREMANS -

On the 90th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2013, the Automobile Club de l’Ouest has selected thirty historic cars grouped into three per decade, all up for public vote by race fans. To participate, click HERE and choose one per decade. The vote is open until the 15th of January 2013. Each of the thirty cars will have a short introduction. Today it is the  Bentley EXP Speed 8 that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2003.

After half a century of absence, the Bentley name returned to the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2001. Owned by the Volkswagen Group, the British manufacturer could benefit from Audi know-how. The EXP Speed ​​8 prototype was reminiscent of both the Audi R8C and Toyota GT-One, seen in La Sarthe in 1999. Eric van de Poele, Butch Leitzinger and Andy Wallace finished third and, as a gesture to the history of the marque, on the podium they wore the white overalls and leather helmets identical to those worn by Bentley drivers of the 30s. After the fourth place for the same trio in 2002, Tom Kristensen, Dindo Capello and Guy Smith in 2003 scored a sixth victory at Le Mans for Bentley, 73 years after the previous win. The EXP Speed ​​8 brought British racing green to the top step of the podium, a worthy successor to the Speed ​​Six at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, as well as Jaguar and Aston Martin.

Year : 71st edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans (14th & 15th June 2003)
Number of cars entered : Two
Technical Information :
3.9 litre turbocharged V12
Drivers :
Dindo Capello-Tom Kristensen-Guy Smith (n°7)
Mark Blundell-David Brabham-Johnny Herbert (n°8)
Results :
1st (Dindo Capello-Tom Kristensen-Guy Smith)
2nd (Mark Blundell-David Brabham-Johnny Herbert)