Engineering the Extreme: Inside the Making of Bentley’s “Supersports: FULL SEND”
(Crewe, England – 2 April 2026) The dramatic production narrative behind Bentley’s most electrifying film ever, Supersports: FULL SEND, featuring the legendary Travis Pastrana, has been fully unveiled. This behind-the-scenes look reveals the meticulous planning, engineering precision, and sheer daring that transformed the Bentley Continental GT Supersports into a world-class stunt machine. The film, which was shot over a rigorous three-day period at the Bentley headquarters in Crewe, involved an unprecedented collaboration between Bentley’s engineering teams and a professional production unit, culminating in the first-ever complete closure of the Crewe campus to accommodate high-speed maneuvers.
The Genesis of a Pymkhana
The conceptualization of Supersports: FULL SEND began in April 2025. The arrival of the new Bentley Continental GT Supersports, already celebrated for its performance capabilities and power-to-weight ratio, provided the perfect canvas for a cinematic project that would push the boundaries of automotive engineering. The internal development name for the film, ‘Pymkhana’ (a clever portmanteau of gymkhana and Pyms Lane, the address of the Bentley factory), marked the beginning of a journey that would require extraordinary coordination and trust from key internal stakeholders.
Surprisingly, the initial discussions with Bentley’s R&D department and product communications team confirmed that such a dynamic feat was not just a pipe dream, but a feasible engineering challenge. With the full endorsement of Bentley’s Board of Management, the R&D division was tasked with transforming a Bentley development vehicle into a bespoke stunt car capable of maneuvers typically seen only in professional motorsport.
Engineering the Monster: Modifications for the Pymkhana Challenge
To prepare a Bentley Supersports for the intensity of a gymkhana-style performance, the engineering team made several critical modifications. The Electronic Limited Slip Differential (eLSD) was re-calibrated to lock much earlier, allowing the car to transition into controlled slides with minimal throttle input. Furthermore, the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) was permanently disabled, and custom software patches were developed to facilitate both static and dynamic burnouts.
The key technological innovation was the implementation of a functional hydraulic handbrake. This system was integrated into the eight-speed double-clutch transmission control unit, enabling the driver to initiate tight corner drifts at high speed without relying solely on throttle-oversteer. Alistair Corner, Bentley’s engineering manager, oversaw these modifications, providing crucial insight into the process.
“Our objective with the ‘Pymkhana’ car was essentially to recalibrate the already potent Supersports,” Mr. Corner explains. “We removed the standard safety interventions that production vehicles require and added functionality that transforms the car into a dynamic ballet machine on the narrow factory roads. The Bentley engineers involved in this project were remarkable, adapting rapidly and devising creative solutions to build this car. The extraordinary capabilities of this special Bentley car are fundamentally extensions of the inherent DNA within the Supersports. In essence, the Pymkhana car is a Supersports without limits, showcasing the full potential of our chassis and powertrain when pushed to their extreme.”
The Preparation and the Backup
In addition to the star car, which now resides in the Bentley Heritage Collection, a second backup Supersports was prepared in case the main vehicle sustained damage during the intense filming schedule. Both cars were adorned with a bespoke, gymkhana-inspired vinyl wrap designed by graphic artist Deathspray, completed with custom-painted 22-inch wheels. To generate the spectacular shower of sparks seen near the climax of the film, a pair of titanium skid blocks were mounted to the underside of the star car.
Travis Pastrana, known for his incredible talent in motorsports and gymkhana events, agreed to be the lead driver, and the filming dates were set for September 26-28, 2025. Before shooting commenced, every ‘scene’ was meticulously planned and choreographed to minimize risk to the car, driver, and the sensitive infrastructure of the Bentley manufacturing facility. As a fully operational factory, the environment presented myriad potential hazards, necessitating extreme caution to protect gas mains, fiber optic cables, water pipes, and even the electrical power supply to the entire site, all of which were located within inches of the dynamic filming locations.
Scenes involving other vehicles, such as the car park chase with the Pikes Peak Bentleys or the Brooklands burnout sequence, required additional coordination. These moments were executed by two precision drivers working in tandem with Travis, demonstrating a level of synchronized driving that is rarely seen outside professional competition. The film’s cinematography captures the raw power and agility of the Bentley Continental GT Supersports against the industrial backdrop of the factory.
The Logistics of a High-Speed Film Shoot
The filming process itself involved a massive logistical effort, with a crew of over 100 people split between the production unit and supporting teams from across Bentley. The main filming crew comprised approximately 25 individuals, including two primary camera operators, two drone operators, two minicams technicians, and a three-person crew operating a purpose-built tracking vehicle constructed from a first-generation Bentayga W12 and featuring a U-Crane arm.
The supporting teams were equally vital to the project’s success. They included a 10-person team of location marshals, responsible for ensuring that each location around the Bentley campus was completely secured for filming. Additionally, there were 25 vehicle specialists (working in two teams), a factory support team, medics, a fire crew, car wranglers, heritage car drivers, and a health and safety unit. The operation required full lockdown of the Bentley facility to ensure the safety of personnel and the protection of infrastructure, allowing drivers to push the Bentley Supersports to speeds exceeding 120 mph without compromise.
The Final Result: A Cinematic Spectacle
Filming progressed almost without incident, a testament to the rigorous preparation and professional execution of all involved. Mike Sayer, Head of Product Communications at Bentley, and the Executive Producer for the project, reflected on the experience:
“The filming days were incredibly intense but ultimately the most fun we’ve ever had at the campus. We were fortunate with the weather, and the star car, the supporting cast of vehicles, and all the teams involved performed to an exceptional standard. Despite the beyond-the-limit driving involved, and speeds exceeding 120 mph, the only damage sustained to person or machine was one smashed wing mirror! I’m grateful to every single Bentley colleague who worked so hard to deliver this unique project for us.”
After three days of intensive filming and three months of post-production – both led by the exceptional director Jon Richards – the final film was released in January 2026. The film features 12 hidden ‘Easter Eggs’ that only the most eagle-eyed viewers will spot, paying homage to Bentley’s rich heritage.
A Look Inside the Easter Eggs
For those eager to discover the hidden gems within Supersports: FULL SEND, the full list of Easter Eggs is revealed below:
Travis Pastrana’s Employee Number: His employee badge number when swiped at the factory entrance is 199, his race number.
Hunaudières Concept: The 1999 Hunaudières concept car appears in the ‘garage’ scene.
Le Mans Winner: The Speed 8 that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2003 is also present in the garage.
Pre-Embargo Continental GT S: The new Continental GT S is included ahead of its public launch.
Codename ‘Mildred’: The codename for the Supersports project, ‘Mildred’, is printed onto the hydraulic handbrake.
Bentley BEV: The new Bentley BEV appears twice—once in the car park in camouflage, and once under a silk after Travis crashes the door.
R-Type Continental: Bentley’s original 1953 R-Type Continental—the origin of the Continental GT name and design—is shown in a glass box where Travis turns left after the fly-by of the pre-war Bentleys.
EXP 15 Design Vision: The 2025 EXP 15 design vision car is positioned on the roof above the long straight.
1919 Race Number: The 199 race number on the Supersports’ front grille contains a black ‘1’ between the two ‘9’ digits, creating 1919—the year Bentley was founded.
Generational Alignment: The three cars Travis stops in front of at the end of the film include an original 1926 Supersports, flanked by the two most recent generations.
Painted Panel Palette: The lineup of colorful cars in the closing aerial shot displays paint shades that echo those of the painted panels on the side of the Paint Shop.
Chairman’s Cleanup: The person cleaning up after Travis during the credits is Bentley’s Chairman and CEO, Frank-Steffen Walliser.
Engineering the Extreme: Inside the Making of Bentley’s
