Behind the Curtain of Bentley’s Boldest Movie: A Production Deep Dive into the Making of Supersports: FULL SEND
Crewe, England – April 2, 2026 – Following its triumphant premiere, the production narrative behind Bentley’s most extreme cinematic venture, Supersports: FULL SEND, is finally unveiled. This film, starring the legendary freestyle motocross athlete Travis Pastrana, showcases a feat of technical bravado that captivated viewers worldwide. The company pulls back the veil on this ambitious, groundbreaking project, detailing how the dynamic film was captured over three intensive days at the Bentley facility in Crewe. This exclusive shoot involved a crew of more than 100 individuals, representing a significant undertaking that required the complete closure of the Bentley campus for the first time in its history, enabling filming speeds of up to 120 mph. Among the myriad secrets hidden within the final edit, eagle-eyed viewers will discover 12 meticulously placed ‘Easter Eggs’ that celebrate Bentley’s rich heritage.
The Genesis of ‘Pymkhana’
The conceptual origins of Supersports: FULL SEND date back to April of the previous year. The introduction of the all-new Continental GT Supersports presented a unique opportunity for Bentley to craft a fundamentally different kind of film. The project, internally known by the codename ‘Pymkhana’—a playful nod to the Pyms Lane factory address, where the gymkhana-style stunts were executed—began with exhaustive discussions involving key internal departments. To the surprise of many, the concept was deemed technically viable, provided the preparation was meticulous.
Upon approval from Bentley’s Board of Management, the engineering and R&D teams embarked on a mission to modify a Supersports development vehicle for extreme performance. The vehicle underwent significant electronic alterations. The electronic Limited Slip Differential (eLSD) was recalibrated for earlier locking, and the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) was permanently deactivated. Furthermore, specialized software modifications were developed to enable both static and rolling burnouts, pushing the car’s capabilities far beyond its production specification.
The key to the car’s exceptional agility was the development and integration of a functional hydraulic handbrake. This system was ingeniously linked to the control mechanisms of the eight-speed double-clutch gearbox, allowing the vehicle to execute tight cornering maneuvers via controlled drifts rather than relying solely on power oversteer. Alistair Corner, Bentley’s engineering manager, oversaw the car’s preparation and provided these insights:
“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.”
Engineering the ‘Monster’
The transformation of a standard Bentley Supersports into the Pymkhana star was a significant engineering challenge. Bentley’s R&D department worked under extreme pressure, modifying a prototype that would be pushed beyond the limits of any road-legal vehicle. The standard safety systems, designed to protect drivers in everyday scenarios, had to be bypassed to allow the radical stunts featured in the film.
“We had to reimagine the Supersports,” Corner explains. “It’s a car designed to be incredibly capable and precise. But for this film, we needed it to be wild. We disabled the electronic stability control, which basically neuters the car’s wild side. This allowed us to intentionally oversteer and create controlled slides, which were essential for the gymkhana sequence.”
The introduction of the hydraulic handbrake was particularly complex. The engineering team had to integrate a mechanical system that could override the vehicle’s electronic controls without causing irreparable damage. This involved careful calibration to ensure the handbrake only engaged at the precise moment required for the drift, preventing the car from spinning out of control.
Moreover, the team needed to address the impact of extreme force on the vehicle’s components. Because the car would be subjected to repeated high-stress maneuvers, the standard braking and suspension systems were enhanced. The car was fitted with specialized pads and discs that could handle the intense heat generated during the stunts. The suspension was stiffened to minimize body roll and maintain consistent tire contact during high-speed cornering, a critical factor in achieving smooth, controlled slides.
Protecting the Factory: A Fortress of Film
Operating a high-performance vehicle on the factory floor presented a unique set of risks. The Bentley campus in Crewe is home to critical infrastructure, including gas mains, fiber optic cables, and water pipes, all of which were in close proximity to the filming locations. The production team implemented a robust safety protocol to protect both the factory and the crew.
“Our factory is a working environment,” says a senior production manager. “We had to ensure that the filming didn’t interfere with our operations, and more importantly, didn’t damage anything valuable. We conducted thorough risk assessments for every scene, marking out exclusion zones and ensuring that only essential personnel were allowed on set.”
The production crew included a dedicated team of location marshals whose sole responsibility was to secure the perimeter of each filming area. These marshals monitored the safety of the crew, the drivers, and the surrounding infrastructure, ensuring that the filming proceeded smoothly without incident.
The team also required specialized vehicle support. A team of 25 vehicle specialists was on hand, split into two teams to manage the different vehicles used in the film. This support included maintaining the Pymkhana car, the backup vehicle, and the various other cars that featured in the film, such as the Bentley Bentayga W12 tracking vehicle.
The ‘Pymkhana’ Star: More Than Just a Car
In addition to the main star car, a second, backup vehicle was prepared to serve as a contingency against damage during filming. Both vehicles were adorned with a unique, gymkhana-inspired graphic design created by the artist Deathspray, complete with custom-painted 22-inch wheels. Beneath the star car, a pair of titanium skid blocks were fitted to generate the dramatic shower of sparks featured in the film’s finale.
The selection of Travis Pastrana as the driver was pivotal. His world-class skills as a motocross athlete and professional stunt driver made him the ideal candidate to handle the extreme demands of the Pymkhana stunts. The filming dates were set for September 26–28, 2025, giving the crew a compact window to complete all the shooting.
Prior to filming, every ‘scene’ was meticulously planned and choreographed. This detailed planning ensured that the risks to the car, driver, and factory were minimized. As a working factory, the potential hazards were numerous, requiring extra care to protect gas mains, fiber optic cables, water pipes, and the factory’s electrical power supply, all of which were located near some of the filming locations. Scenes involving other vehicles, such as the car park chase sequence with the Pikes Peak Bentleys or the Brooklands burnout sequence, necessitated additional coordination and involved two precision drivers working alongside Travis.
The Making of the Dynamic Narrative
The filming itself brought together a squad of over 100 people, comprising the production crew and supporting teams from across Bentley. The core production team consisted of around 25 individuals, including two principal camera operators, two drone operators, two minicam technicians, and a three-person crew responsible for operating a custom-built tracking vehicle derived from a first-generation Bentayga W12, equipped with a U-Crane arm.
Support teams included a 10-person team of location marshals who ensured 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.
The filming progressed with remarkable smoothness. Mike Sayer, Bentley’s Head of Product Communications and the Executive Producer for the project, commented 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.”
Following three days of filming and three months of editing—both led by the exceptional director Jon Richards—the finished film was released in January. The movie features 12 ‘Easter Eggs’, hidden details that only the sharpest eyes can spot. A full list of these can be found below, offering a deeper look into the hidden treasures of the film.
Supersports: FULL SEND – Easter Eggs:
Travis Pastrana’s Employee Number: His ID badge shows the number 199, which is his race number.
1999 Hunaudières Concept: The iconic concept car appears in the ‘garage’ scene.
Speed 8 Le Mans Winner: The victorious 2003 Le Mans racer is also featured in the garage.
Pre-Embargo Continental GT S: The new Continental GT S is included before its official embargo.
5
