Supersports: FULL SEND: Behind the Scenes of the Making of Bentley’s Boldest Film
The Creation Process of a Landmark Cinematic Project with Travis Pastrana
Crewe, United Kingdom –
2 April 2026 – The production details behind Bentley’s most dynamic and ambitious film to date, Supersports: FULL SEND, featuring Travis Pastrana, have been unveiled, as the company clears the tyre smoke around the groundbreaking project. A dedicated Behind-the-Scenes film released today offers an exclusive look into the intense, three-day shoot conducted at Bentley’s headquarters in Crewe, England. The project involved a crew of over 100 individuals and marked the first time the entire Bentley campus was completely closed off to allow for the safe execution of dynamic driving sequences at speeds reaching up to 120 mph. The film is enriched with 12 hidden ‘Easter Eggs’, designed to reward the eagle-eyed viewers who delve deeper into the narrative.
The Concept and Evolution of the Project
The genesis of Supersports: FULL SEND dates back to April 2025, when the launch of the new Continental GT Supersports provided the perfect opportunity to create a truly novel film for the brand. The initial concept—internally code-named ‘Pymkhana’—was born from the idea of shooting a gymkhana sequence on Pyms Lane, the iconic address of Bentley’s factory. The first steps of the project began with internal conversations at Bentley, and to the astonishment of those present, the concept was deemed achievable, provided sufficient preparation was undertaken.
Following approval from Bentley’s Board of Management, work commenced in the Research and Development department to modify a development Supersports vehicle to an extreme specification. Engineers adjusted the electronic Limited Slip Differential (eLSD) to allow for early locking, permanently disabled Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and implemented special software changes to facilitate both static and rolling burnouts.
Engineering the Ultimate Driving Experience
The key to executing such extreme manoeuvres was the design and integration of a working hydraulic handbrake. This mechanism was meticulously integrated with the control system of the eight-speed double-clutch gearbox, enabling the car to enter the factory’s narrow road network sideways rather than relying on power-oversteer. The development work on the car was overseen by Bentley Engineering Manager Alistair Corner, who commented on 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. 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.”
Alongside the main star car, which has since been integrated into Bentley’s Heritage Collection, a second, back-up vehicle was also prepared in the event that the primary car sustained damage during filming. Both cars were adorned with bespoke, gymkhana-inspired graphics designed by artist Deathspray and fitted with custom-painted 22-inch wheels. The main star car was further enhanced with a pair of titanium skid blocks mounted beneath the chassis to generate the impressive shower of sparks seen near the conclusion of the film.
Travis Pastrana readily agreed to participate as the driver, and the filming dates were set for 26–28 September 2025. Prior to commencing filming, each ‘scene’ was meticulously planned and choreographed to minimise risk to the car, the driver, and the factory premises. As a fully operational factory, the potential risks were myriad, requiring extreme caution to protect gas mains, fibre optic cables, water pipes, and even the entire factory’s electrical power supply, all of which were located within inches of some of the filming locations. Scenes involving other vehicles, such as the car park chase sequence featuring the Pikes Peak Bentleys or the Brooklands burnout sequence, demanded additional coordination and involved two precision drivers who collaborated with Travis.
The Production Process and Operational Scale
The filming process itself involved a squad of over 100 people, divided between the production crew and supporting teams from across Bentley. The main filming crew comprised around 25 individuals, including two principal camera operators, two drone operators, two minicams technicians, and a three-person crew operating a purpose-built tracking car constructed from a first-generation Bentayga W12, complete with a U-Crane arm.
The supporting teams included a 10-person unit of location marshals responsible for ensuring each location around the factory was completely secured for filming, 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.
Despite the considerable challenges and extreme driving involved, the filming progressed almost without a hitch. Bentley’s Head of Product Communications and Executive Producer for the project, Mike Sayer, commented:
“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 post-production, both led by exceptional director Jon Richards, the finished film was released in January 2026. The film contains 12 ‘Easter Eggs’, which are cars and details hidden throughout the narrative for eagle-eyed viewers to spot. The full list of these items is available at the end of this press release.
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Supersports: FULL SEND – Easter Eggs
Employee Number: Travis Pastrana’s employee number displayed on his ID badge when he accesses the factory is 199, which corresponds to 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.
Unreleased Model: The new Continental GT S is featured in the film prior to its official launch.
Handbrake Codename: The codename for the Supersports project, ‘Mildred’, is printed on the hydraulic handbrake.
Next-Generation Vehicle: The new Bentley BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) is visible in two places: once in camouflage in the car park, and again under a sheet after Travis opens the door.
Heritage Vehicle: The 1953 R-Type Continental, the origin of the Continental GT design language and name, is displayed in a glass case where Travis turns left after the fly-by of the pre-war Bentleys.
Design Vision: The 2025 EXP 15 design vision car is positioned on the roof above the long straight section.
Founding Year: The race number 199 on the Supersports’ front grille contains a black ‘1’ inserted between the two ‘9’ digits, creating the number 1919, which is the year Bentley was founded.
Generational Lineup: 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 of the Continental GT.
Colour Palette: The line-up of colourful cars in the closing aerial shot features paint shades that echo those of the painted panels on the side of the Paint Shop.
The Final Touch: The person cleaning up after Travis during the credits is Bentley’s Chairman and CEO, Frank-Steffen Walliser.
Insights from the Bentley Leadership
The creation of the Supersports: FULL SEND film represents a significant strategic initiative for Bentley, moving beyond traditional marketing campaigns to engage a broader audience in a new and unexpected way. The film, which integrates high-end cinematic production with the raw power of Bentley’s most extreme vehicle, serves multiple strategic purposes: brand differentiation, talent attraction, and technological showcase.
Brand Differentiation and Youth Engagement
In an increasingly competitive luxury automotive market, brands must constantly innovate to capture the attention of younger, affluent consumers. The decision to produce a high-octane, action-packed film featuring a renowned stunt driver like Travis Pastrana is a deliberate attempt to reposition the Bentley brand. Historically associated with elegance, heritage, and luxury cruising, Bentley is actively broadening its image to encompass performance, excitement, and thrill. This strategy appeals to a demographic that values dynamic driving experiences and high-performance capabilities.
The film showcases the Continental GT Supersports not just as a luxury Grand Tourer but as a precision engineering marvel that can withstand extreme conditions. By removing the restrictive safety features and enhancing the car’s capabilities in a controlled environment, Bentley demonstrates the raw potential of its chassis and powertrain. This differentiation helps the brand stand out from rivals
