Dunlop

Dunlop/Bentley - Le Mans 2001

"The secret of our success is that we've stuck to the adage that you're only as good as your last race..."

Indeed Team Bentley and Dunlop had a resounding success coming in 3rd at Le Mans 2001, returning to this classic circuit after an absence of 71 years. Driving the Bentley EXP Speed 8 on Dunlop tyres, Andy Wallace, Butch Leitzinger and Eric van de Poele had to cope with rain for 20 out of the 24 hours making driving conditions difficult and fully testing the tyres. Indeed, the 2001 Le Mans race was one of the toughest on record - of the 48 starters, only 20 finished.

"Conditions were very difficult at times but the Dunlop tyres never gave us a moment's concern", said Andy Wallace. "We had a choice of three types of tyres for wet weather and all of them were superb. We could double-stint without any difficulty."

The Bentley EXP Speed 8 (built and designed in the UK) had a closed cockpit style, affording superior aerodynamic performance, however this required the enforcement of race rules on the use of 2 inch narrower tyres. But Bentley's trust in Dunlop's ability to overcome this obstacle never wavered and the results spoke for themselves.

For the story of Dunlop and Bentley at Le Mans 2002 - click here.

Bentley 2001

Results - Le Mans 2001

Position No. Class Car Drivers Laps Av. speed
mph
1 1 01 Audi F. Biela T. Kristensen E. Pirro 321 180.949
2 2 01 Audi L. Aiello R. Capello Ch. Pescatori 320 180.386
3 8 02 Bentley A. Wallace B. Leitzinger E. Van De Poele 306 172.493
4 16 01 Chrysler O. Beretta K. Wendlinger P. Lamy 298 167.980
5 38 03 Reynard O. Delatraz P. Fabre J. Geneguerrero 284 160.091
6 83 05 Porsche G. Rosa F. Babini L. Drudi 283 159.494
7 77 05 Porsche G. Jeannette R. Dumas Ph. Haezebrouck 282 158.954
8 63 04 Corvette C5R R. Fellows J. O'Connell S. Pruett 278 156.627
9 75 05 Porsche TH. Perrier M. Neugarten N. Smith 275 155.017
10 80 05 Porsche J L. Chereau S. Dumez P. Goueslard 274 154.449

Class

01 = LMP 900
02 = LM GT P
03 = LMP 675
04 = LM GTS
05 = LM GT

To visit the official Bentley site click here