Behind the Scenes of the Bentley Pymkhana: A 120-MPH Joyride Through Engineering History
Crewe, England – April 2, 2026 – The dust has settled from what many are calling the most audacious automotive film ever produced, and Bentley is finally revealing the full story behind Supersports: FULL SEND. This groundbreaking Bentley video featuring legendary motorsports figure Travis Pastrana wasn’t just a promotional stunt; it was a monumental feat of engineering, logistics, and risk management. Filmed over three intense days on the historic grounds of Bentley’s Crewe campus, the project involved a crew of over 100 people and a technical operation that pushed the boundaries of what’s possible on a closed factory site.
For the first time in its history, the Bentley production facilities at Crewe were completely shut down and locked off. This unprecedented security and exclusivity allowed for an astonishing level of control, enabling the crew to execute complex maneuvers, including sustained burnouts and 120 mph runs, with the absolute safety of the workforce and sensitive infrastructure prioritized.
Pymkhana: The Vision Behind the Speed
The genesis of Supersports: FULL SEND dates back to April 2025. While the new Bentley Continental GT Supersports was still in its development phase, the engineering team envisioned a film that would showcase the car’s radical performance capabilities in a way never before attempted. Dubbed internally as ‘Pymkhana’—a clever portmanteau combining ‘Pyms Lane’ (the factory’s address) with ‘Gymkhana’ (a motorsport discipline focused on precision handling)—the project began as a conceptual proposal.
What surprised the executive team was the immediate internal buy-in. Colleagues from various departments, accustomed to the rigid protocols of a working automotive factory, were eager to explore the limits of their own creation. After rigorous safety assessments and board approval, the engineering team began transforming a development Bentley Supersports into a functional monster, stripping away production-mandated safety features to unleash its full potential.
Engineering the Impossible: A Monster Under the Skin
The transformation of a road-legal Bentley Continental GT Supersports into a cinematic weapon required extensive modifications to both the hardware and software. “The mission for our ‘Pymkhana’ car was to turn the already-capable Supersports up to 11,” explains Alistair Corner, Bentley’s engineering manager at the time of the project. “We removed all the safety features that the production version must include and added 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.”
Key engineering adaptations included:
Electronic Limited Slip Differential (eLSD): The software was recalibrated to provide early locking of the differential, allowing the driver to initiate drifts more easily.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC): The ESC system was permanently disabled. This removed the car’s primary safety net, allowing the driver to intentionally break traction and maintain extreme angles.
Custom Software: Bespoke software modifications were written to enable both static and rolling burnouts, a feature not present in any production Bentley model.
Hydraulic Handbrake: The most critical modification was the design and installation of a working hydraulic handbrake. Integrated seamlessly with the electronic control system of the eight-speed double-clutch gearbox, this allowed the driver to pivot the car around the tight corners of the factory road network rather than relying solely on power-oversteer or brute force.
Corner emphasized that these extreme capabilities were an extension of the inherent ability built into the Bentley Supersports. “The Pymkhana car is a Supersports without limits, that demonstrates what our chassis and powertrain can do when taken to the extreme,” he stated.
A Legacy Preserved, A Speed Unleashed
To ensure the project’s success, two identical Bentley vehicles were prepared. The main “star” car, now a prized possession in Bentley’s Heritage Collection, was the primary focus. A second “back-up” car was kept ready in case of any damage, reflecting the significant physical risks involved in the high-speed filming.
Both cars were finished in a spectacular, gymkhana-inspired livery designed by acclaimed graphic artist Deathspray. The vehicles were further customized with 22-inch wheels hand-painted to match the graphic scheme. To achieve the iconic spark-generating effects seen towards the end of the Bentley video, engineers mounted a pair of titanium skid blocks beneath the Bentley Supersports chassis. These blocks created a shower of sparks as they scraped along the factory tarmac, adding a dramatic visual flourish to the film.
A Cast of Thousands: More Than Just a Car
To make Supersports: FULL SEND a reality, Bentley assembled a diverse “cast.” Legendary stunt driver Travis Pastrana was recruited to pilot the Bentley Supersports, bringing his unparalleled expertise in off-road and action driving to the project. Filming was scheduled for September 26-28, 2025.
Before filming began, every ‘scene’ was meticulously planned and choreographed by director Jon Richards. The primary concern was safety and the preservation of the Bentley Crewe campus, a site rich with history and infrastructure. The crew had to navigate a minefield of potential hazards:
Gas Mains: Critical lines carrying natural gas were located inches from the shooting path.
Fibre Optic Cables: High-speed internet and communication lines were vulnerable to even slight damage.
Water Pipes: The factory’s water supply and infrastructure needed absolute protection.
Electrical Power: The entire Bentley manufacturing grid was at risk if a vehicle inadvertently came into contact with underground cables.
Scenes involving other vehicles required even greater coordination. The car park chase sequence, featuring two Bentley Pikes Peak race cars (the Continental GT3-R), demanded precision from the drivers. Similarly, the Brooklands-style burnout sequence involving two BentleyContinental GT Speed models required flawless timing and control. Two expert precision drivers worked alongside Pastrana to execute these complex maneuvers, ensuring minimal risk to the cars and the factory infrastructure.
The Logistics of Madness: Over 100 People on Site
The actual filming days were a whirlwind of activity involving a squad of over 100 individuals. This massive undertaking was split between the professional production crew and critical supporting teams from across Bentley.
The main filming crew comprised approximately 25 people, including:
Camera Operators: Two main camera operators captured the action from various angles.
Drone Operators: Two drone operators provided aerial perspectives of the speed and scale of the event.
Minicams Technicians: A team managed multiple miniature cameras strategically placed to capture close-up shots.
Tracking Car Crew: A three-person team operated a custom-built tracking car based on a first-generation Bentayga W12, equipped with a U-Crane arm to film the Supersports in motion.
The support teams were essential for maintaining order and safety:
Location Marshals: A ten-person unit was responsible for ensuring each location around the factory was completely sealed off from unauthorized personnel.
Vehicle Specialists: Two teams of 25 vehicle specialists were on hand to manage the fleet of Bentley and backup cars.
Factory Support: A dedicated team provided on-site support for the manufacturing environment.
Medical and Fire Services: On-site medics and a fire crew were ready to respond in case of any emergency.
Car Wranglers and Heritage Drivers: These specialists managed the fleet, including heritage models that had to be safely parked and protected.
Health and Safety Unit: A robust health and safety team oversaw the entire operation to ensure compliance with the extreme risks involved.
A Flawless Victory? Mostly
Despite the inherent risks of pushing a Bentley Supersports to its absolute limits on factory grounds, the filming went astonishingly smoothly. Mike Sayer, Bentley’s Head of Product Communications and the project’s Executive Producer, summarized the experience:
“The filming days were incredibly intense but ultimately the most fun we’ve ever had at the campus,” Sayer recalled. “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.”
This incident underscores the professionalism of the crew and the effectiveness of the safety protocols. The Bentley production facilities were protected, and the driver was safe—all while executing maneuvers that seemed impossible on the very roads where the cars are usually built.
A Final Polish: Editing and Easter Eggs
After three days of exhilarating filming, the project moved into post-production. Director Jon Richards led a dedicated team of editors who spent three months crafting the final Bentley video, Supersports: FULL SEND.
The finished film was released in January 2026 and includes 12 ‘Easter Eggs’—subtle nods to Bentley’s history, design, and technological heritage hidden throughout the video. For those eagle-eyed enough to spot them, these details offer a deeper appreciation of the engineering
