The Making of Supersports: FULL SEND: Behind the Curtain of Bentley’s Most Dynamic Film
In the world of luxury automotive marketing, companies often lean on spectacle to convey power, performance, and aspiration. Yet, in April 2025, Bentley took a dramatic turn, conceiving a cinematic endeavor that would break the mold of traditional advertising. This article delves into the exhaustive behind-the-scenes process of creating Supersports: FULL SEND, a film so ambitious it demanded the total closure of Bentley’s iconic Crewe campus. Featuring legendary freestyle motocross athlete and rally driver, Travis Pastrana, the project pushed the boundaries of automotive engineering and film production, turning the factory floor into a stage for a high-octane ballet of precision driving.
The Genesis of ‘Pymkhana’: A Vision Born from Collaboration
The idea for Supersports: FULL SEND originated in the spring of 2025, seizing the opportunity presented by the new Supersports model to craft a narrative that transcended the usual static presentation of high-performance vehicles. It was not merely about showcasing the car’s capabilities; it was about imbuing it with a soul, a personality that resonated with the spirit of daredevilry and unrestrained potential.
The concept was internally dubbed “Pymkhana,” a playful portmanteau of the project’s location—Pyms Lane, the official address of the factory—and gymkhana, the motorsport discipline focused on tight, technical maneuvering in confined spaces. The journey from a preliminary concept to a fully realized film was anything but simple. The first critical step involved engaging with key departments within Bentley, initiating a dialogue that surprised many by confirming the project’s feasibility, provided that exhaustive preparations were undertaken.
Upon receiving the green light from Bentley’s Board of Management, the company’s Research and Development (R&D) department began the rigorous process of modifying a Supersports development vehicle to achieve an unprecedented level of extremity. This wasn’t a mere cosmetic upgrade; it was a fundamental recalibration of the car’s DNA to allow for maneuvers that would typically trigger the automatic intervention of modern safety systems.
The engineers’ first order of business was to adjust the electronic Limited Slip Differential (eLSD) to enable earlier locking, effectively ensuring that the car’s rear wheels remained coupled during high-stress maneuvers. Following this, the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system was permanently disabled, allowing the driver to command the car’s movements without electronic interference. Additionally, custom software modifications were written to facilitate both static and rolling burnouts, techniques essential for building dramatic momentum.
However, the true masterstroke of this engineering transformation was the design and installation of a working hydraulic handbrake. This mechanism was seamlessly integrated with the control system of the eight-speed double-clutch gearbox, enabling the car to enter the narrow factory road network sideways rather than relying on power-oversteer, a technique often referred to as “drifting.” The entire engineering effort was overseen by Bentley’s Engineering Manager, Alistair Corner, who remarked on the specialized modifications:
“The mission for our ‘Pymkhana’ car was to turn the already-capable Supersports up to 11 – to remove all the safety features that the production version must include, and to add functionality to allow the car to dance around the narrow roads of our factory. The team of engineers that developed the car was outstanding, learning on-the-fly and coming up with creative solutions to turn the car into a monster. Crucially, what that special car can now do is an extension of the inherent ability within Supersports – the Pymkhana car is a Supersports without limits, that demonstrates what our chassis and powertrain can do when taken to the extreme.”
Corner’s words capture the essence of the project: leveraging the intrinsic capabilities of the standard production vehicle and pushing them to their absolute limit. The result was a car that mirrored the production model but lacked the regulatory safety features, allowing for performance that was both breathtaking and fundamentally illegal in a public setting.
Engineering the Machine: From Production Model to Drift King
While the production version of the Bentley Continental GT Supersports is renowned for its extreme power and precision engineering, the car prepared for Supersports: FULL SEND was a bespoke creation, engineered to perform feats of vehicular acrobatics far exceeding its factory specifications. This ambitious modification process highlighted Bentley’s commitment to innovation, even when pushing the boundaries of what is typically considered conventional for a luxury automotive brand.
The engineering team’s primary goal was to override the vehicle’s safety protocols. For instance, the electronic Limited Slip Differential (eLSD) was recalibrated to lock the rear axle earlier than the production setting, ensuring maximum traction and control during sideways maneuvers. Furthermore, the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system, designed to prevent loss of control during spirited driving, was permanently disabled. This required the implementation of custom software modifications to enable both static (zero-speed) and rolling burnouts, feats that would normally trigger the car’s built-in safeguards.
The most visually impactful innovation was the integration of a hydraulic handbrake. Unlike standard parking brakes, which rely on a mechanical linkage to lock the rear wheels, this hydraulic system allowed the driver to instantly lock the rear wheels while the car was in motion, effectively creating a lever to initiate a yaw rotation (sideways motion). This mechanism was meticulously integrated with the eight-speed double-clutch gearbox, ensuring seamless synchronization and allowing for smooth, controllable drifting through the factory’s intricate road network.
Alistair Corner, the engineering manager overseeing the project, summarized the ambitious nature of these modifications: “The mission for our ‘Pymkhana’ car was to turn the already-capable Supersports up to 11—to remove all the safety features that the production version must include, and to add functionality to allow the car to dance around the narrow roads of our factory. The team of engineers that developed the car was outstanding, learning on-the-fly and coming up with creative solutions to turn the car into a monster. Crucially, what that special car can now do is an extension of the inherent ability within Supersports—the Pymkhana car is a Supersports without limits, that demonstrates what our chassis and powertrain can do when taken to the extreme.”
To ensure the project could proceed without interruption, the engineering team prepared not one but two identical vehicles. One served as the “star car,” the primary vehicle used in filming, while the second acted as a backup in case the star car sustained damage during the high-intensity driving sequences. Both cars were adorned with custom graphics by the artist Deathspray, featuring a gymkhana-inspired livery and bespoke 22-inch wheels. To generate the spectacular showers of sparks seen during the climax of the film, the underside of the star car was fitted with a pair of titanium skid blocks, designed to grind against the factory tarmac.
The Star-Studded Lineup: Travis Pastrana and the Support Fleet
The casting of Travis Pastrana was a coup for Bentley, as his reputation as a world-class athlete—a professional motocross racer and professional rally driver—made him the ideal candidate to pilot the highly modified Supersports. Pastrana’s extensive experience in extreme sports and high-performance driving ensured that he could handle the demanding choreography of the film, which involved navigating the complex factory environment with precision and flair.
To ensure the safety of Pastrana, the factory environment, and the support crew, every scene was meticulously planned and choreographed before filming began. The Bentley campus, a working factory, presented a myriad of risks that required careful mitigation. These included underground gas mains, fiber optic cables, water pipes, and the main electrical power supply to the entire plant—all of which were located within inches of some of the dynamic driving locations.
For the scenes involving other vehicles, such as the car park chase with the Pikes Peak Bentleys and the Brooklands burnout sequence, additional coordination was required. These sequences involved two precision drivers working in tandem with Pastrana, executing synchronized maneuvers that demanded absolute precision and timing.
The filming itself was a massive logistical undertaking, involving a support squad of over 100 individuals. This team was split between the production crew and supporting colleagues from various departments within Bentley. The core production crew comprised approximately 25 people, including two main camera operators, two drone operators, two minicam technicians, and a three-person crew operating a custom-built tracking car based on a first-generation Bentayga W12, equipped with a U-Crane arm.
The support infrastructure was equally comprehensive. A 10-person team of location marshals was responsible for ensuring that each filming location was completely sealed off, preventing unauthorized access and minimizing the risk of accidents. Additionally, 25 vehicle specialists, divided into two teams, managed the fleet of backup cars and support vehicles. A dedicated factory support team, medics, a fire crew, car wranglers, heritage car drivers, and a health and safety unit were also on standby to ensure the smooth operation of the shoot.
The Support Fleet: Not Just Extras
While Travis Pastrana and the modified Supersports were undoubtedly the stars, the supporting cast of vehicles played a crucial role in telling the story. These weren’t just background elements; they were active participants in the film, each representing a different era of Bentley’s performance legacy.
The Pikes Peak Bentleys, a nod to Bentley’s success in the grueling Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in Colorado, were featured in a thrilling car park chase sequence. This addition connected the brand to one of its most celebrated chapters in motorsport history, demonstrating that the spirit of performance has been central to the brand since its inception.
Another significant participant was a production-spec Bentley Continental GT S. This provided a glimpse of a vehicle that was available to the public at
