Beyond the Speed Limit: The Definitive Inside Account of Bentley’s Supersports: FULL SEND
Crewe, England – October 26, 2026 – In the world of automotive performance, there are cars built to impress, and then there are cars engineered to provoke a visceral reaction. The Bentley Mulliner Bacalar, with its sculpted lines and bespoke artistry, certainly falls into the first category. Yet, when this ultra-luxury creation was reimagined by the legendary freestyle motocross icon and X Games pioneer Travis Pastrana, the result was something else entirely.
This isn’t just another luxury performance vehicle. This is Supersports: FULL SEND, a cinematic spectacle that shatters the polished facade of Bentley, revealing the raw, untamed engineering that lies beneath the hand-stitched leather and polished veneer. For a brand renowned for its reserved elegance and timeless refinement, the decision to partner with Pastrana was more than a marketing stunt; it was a declaration of intent. It was a signal to the world that even the most exclusive luxury marque can shed its restraint and embrace the chaotic beauty of controlled madness.
In a surprising departure from their typically buttoned-up public relations strategy, Bentley has pulled back the curtain on the production of Supersports: FULL SEND. This deep-dive reveals the intricate choreography, the audacious engineering, and the sheer audacity required to transform the tranquil Bentley campus into a cinematic playground.
The genesis: A collaboration that defies convention
The idea for Supersports: FULL SEND was born not in a boardroom, but in the creative minds that constantly push the boundaries of what is possible. The spark ignited in April 2025, with the launch of the new Mulliner Bacalar – a car so exclusive that its very existence had been whispered about in hushed tones among the world’s elite.
The production team, operating under the working title “Pymkhana” – a clever nod to Bentley’s address on Pyms Lane – began the painstaking process of collaborating with Bentley’s internal departments. What surprised everyone present was not that the project was considered, but that the Bentley board gave it the green light. It was a bold move, signifying a shift in brand perception, and it set the stage for an ambitious undertaking that would redefine the limits of what Bentley had ever attempted.
This was not about simply filming a car; it was about creating a visceral experience that would resonate with a new generation of enthusiasts. To achieve this, the R&D department at Bentley was tasked with transforming a standard Supersports into a beast capable of handling the extreme maneuvers required for Pastrana’s unique brand of automotive pyrotechnics.
Engineering the impossible: The anatomy of a monster
The heart of the Supersports: FULL SEND project was the bespoke engineering work undertaken by Bentley’s dedicated team. To turn the already capable Mulliner Bacalar into the ultimate drifter, engineers had to strip away the safety features that define a production vehicle and install functionality that would allow the car to dance around the factory’s narrow roads.
The electronic differential and stability control overhaul
The first critical modification involved the electronic limited-slip differential (eLSD). Instead of the precise, balanced torque distribution found in the standard production model, the Pymkhana car was fitted with a revised system that provided early locking. This ensured that the rear axle remained bound together during high-stress maneuvers, allowing the driver to maintain control during controlled oversteer.
Coupled with this modification, the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) was permanently disabled. This was a controversial decision, as ESC is a critical safety feature designed to prevent accidents. However, without it, the car could perform maneuvers that would otherwise be impossible. The team also implemented special software changes to allow both static and rolling burnouts, giving the car the ability to generate the kind of tire-smoking action that has become a hallmark of Pastrana’s driving style.
The hydraulic handbrake system
The single most critical component that enabled the car’s aggressive drifting capabilities was the design and installation of a working hydraulic handbrake. Conventional handbrakes are designed for parking, not for high-performance driving. This bespoke system was integrated with the control system of the eight-speed double-clutch gearbox and allowed the car to enter tight corners sideways rather than relying on power-oversteer.
Alistair Corner, Bentley’s engineering manager, oversees the project. “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,” Corner stated. “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.”
The visual transformation and backup plan
The exterior of the Pymkhana car was just as impressive as its internal modifications. A second, backup car was also prepared, a necessity given the risk of damage during the filming. Both cars were wrapped in a bespoke, gymkhana-inspired design by graphic artist Deathspray and completed with custom-painted 22-inch wheels.
To generate the dramatic shower of sparks seen towards the culmination of the film, a pair of titanium skid blocks were mounted to the underside of the car. These blocks, positioned in the front and rear, acted as sacrificial armor, digging into the asphalt to create the fiery effect without damaging the chassis.
Travis Pastrana: A fitting partner for the Pymkhana
The choice of Travis Pastrana as the driver for Supersports: FULL SEND was a perfect synergy of brand and talent. Pastrana, a legend in freestyle motocross and rally racing, brings a level of raw skill and daring that is unmatched in the industry. His ability to push vehicles to their absolute limits, combined with his infectious energy and charismatic personality, made him the ideal candidate to bring the Bentley Mulliner Bacalar to life.
“I’ve been lucky enough to drive some of the fastest cars in the world, but nothing compares to the thrill of drifting a Bentley Mulliner Bacalar around a factory floor,” Pastrana said in an exclusive interview. “It’s a car that exudes luxury and performance, and I was honored to have the opportunity to push it to its absolute limits. The engineering and craftsmanship that goes into every Bentley Mulliner is truly mind-blowing, and I’m thrilled to have been a part of this project.”
The project was planned in meticulous detail, with each scene choreographed to minimize risk to the car, driver, and factory. As a working factory, the number of potential risks was myriad, with extra care needed to protect gas mains, fiber optic cables, water pipes, and even the electrical power supply to the entire factory – all of which were within inches of some of the dynamic locations.
Scenes that involved other cars, such as the car park chase sequence with the Pikes Peak Bentleys, or the Brooklands burnout sequence, required additional coordination and included two precision drivers that worked with Travis. The entire production was a testament to the precision and control that Bentley is known for, even when performing the most extreme maneuvers.
The production crew: Behind the scenes of a cinematic spectacle
The filming of Supersports: FULL SEND was a massive undertaking, involving a crew of over 100 people split between the production team and supporting teams from across Bentley. The main filming crew comprised around 25 people, including two main camera operators, two drone operators, two minicams technicians, and a three-person crew that operated a purpose-built tracking car built out of a first-generation Bentayga W12, complete with a U-Crane arm.
Support teams included a 10-person set of location marshals responsible for ensuring that each location around the factory was completely closed-off for filming, 25 vehicle specialists (in two teams), a factory support team, medics, a fire crew, car wranglers, heritage car drivers, and a health and safety unit.
This extensive crew ensured that the filming ran smoothly, despite the challenging environment. Bentley’s Head of Product Communications, and Executive Producer for the project, Mike Sayer, comments: “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.”
The finished product: A visual masterpiece with Easter eggs galore
After three days of filming and three months of editing – both led by exceptional director Jon Richards – the finished film was released in January and contains 12 ‘Easter Eggs’; cars and details that only the eagle-eyed will spot. These hidden gems are a testament to the meticulous attention to detail that went into the production, offering fans a hidden layer of appreciation.
The Employee ID Badge: Travis Pastrana’s employee number on his ID badge when he swipes into the factory is 199, his race number.
The Hunaudières Concept: The 1999 Hunaudières concept car appears in the ‘garage’ scene, a nod to Bentley’s legendary performance heritage
