Behind the Scenes of Bentley’s 2026 Thrill Ride: Supersports: FULL SEND
Crewe, England – April 2, 2026 – After three years of intense development, ground-breaking engineering, and adrenaline-fueled filmmaking, the full story behind Supersports: FULL SEND – Bentley’s most dynamic and controversial film to date – is finally being revealed.
Featuring legendary action sports athlete and extreme motorsports icon, Travis Pastrana, this behind-the-scenes feature film exposes the extraordinary lengths Bentley went to in order to execute a cinematic concept that many deemed impossible. Shot over three intensive days at the heart of the Bentley campus, the production involved a massive crew of over 100 people and required the complete, unprecedented closure and lockdown of the historic factory facilities.
This landmark project wasn’t just a marketing stunt; it marked the first time in history that the entire Bentley campus in Crewe was completely shut down for production. The strict 2026 safety regulations, coupled with the extreme speeds achieved in the film—peaking at over 120 mph—necessitated this radical step to ensure zero risk to the historical architecture, critical infrastructure, and the safety of all participants.
The Conception of a Monster
The genesis of Supersports: FULL SEND began in April of the previous year, 2025. The arrival of the all-new Bentley Continental Supersports, a vehicle already renowned for its extreme 120 mph top speed and twin-turbo W12 engine, presented the perfect canvas for Bentley to redefine its cinematic presence. The engineering team recognized this wasn’t just about showcasing a fast car; it was about unleashing the very soul of performance that has defined the brand for over a century.
The project was internally code-named ‘Pymkhana’ – a playful pun combining the factory’s address, Pyms Lane, with the high-performance driving discipline known as gymkhana. The initial concept was developed through rigorous internal discussions with key departments. To the surprise of many present, including the management team, the ambitious vision was not only feasible but deemed essential to establishing Bentley as a true competitor in the high-stakes luxury performance market.
With unanimous approval from Bentley’s Board of Management, work commenced in the R&D department. Engineers faced the monumental task of modifying a production-ready Supersports to be the most extreme version possible. This involved not just tuning the engine for increased horsepower, but fundamentally re-engineering the 120 mph chassis to handle the unpredictable chaos of a Pymkhana course.
Engineering the Impossible: The Science Behind the Speed
The success of Supersports: FULL SEND hinged on a series of radical engineering modifications that pushed the production-ready car far beyond its factory specifications. The main star car, which has since been inducted into Bentley’s prestigious Heritage Collection, underwent a complete digital and physical transformation.
Key Engineering Modifications:
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) System: To achieve the violent, uncontrolled slides required for Pymkhana, the engineers permanently disabled the ESC using bespoke software overrides. This allowed the driver to maintain complete control over the car’s trajectory even under maximum throttle and steering lock.
Working Hydraulic Handbrake: The most significant innovation was the design and installation of a fully functional hydraulic handbrake. This was a complex feat of engineering, requiring a seamless integration with the eight-speed double-clutch gearbox. The system allowed the car to enter sharp, factory-road corners at 120 mph sideways, a feat impossible with the factory handbrake alone.
Engine and Powertrain Tuning: While the twin-turbo W12 engine maintained the Supersports’ already legendary power output, the engineers wrote custom firmware that enabled both static and rolling burnouts. This was crucial for generating the deafening tire smoke that became a signature element of the film.
A Masterclass in Engineering Execution
The work was overseen by Alistair Corner, Bentley Engineering Manager and a veteran of the 120 mph projects. Corner reflects on the intense process:
“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 vision transformed the Supersports into a unique automotive predator, perfectly suited for the tight confines of the factory’s 120 mph roads.
The Visual Spectacle: Deathspray and Custom Hardware
To bring this extreme vision to life, Bentley enlisted the services of Deathspray, a graphic artist renowned for his distinctive, neo-graffiti style. Deathspray designed a bespoke, gymkhana-inspired livery that perfectly encapsulated the film’s aggressive and rebellious spirit. The custom-painted 22-inch wheels and the dramatic livery made the Supersports instantly recognizable as the star of this high-octane show.
To generate the dramatic shower of sparks that features prominently in the climax of the film, a pair of titanium skid blocks were mounted beneath the star car. This required careful calculation to ensure they would contact the tarmac only at extreme angles, producing a blinding spectacle of sparks without damaging the highly tuned 120 mph chassis.
The Partnership with Travis Pastrana
The choice of Travis Pastrana as the lead driver was no accident. His reputation as one of the world’s most versatile and fearless motorsports athletes, coupled with his ability to perform high-risk stunts at extreme 120 mph speeds, made him the ideal choice to drive the Supersports.
The decision to involve Pastrana was a strategic one. Bentley recognized that to create a truly impactful cinematic experience, they needed an athlete who could not only handle the car but also connect with a global audience of automotive enthusiasts. Pastrana’s history of pushing the limits of what’s possible—from freestyle motocross to rally racing—aligned perfectly with the “Full Send” mentality.
The production dates were set for September 26-28, 2025. Before filming could commence, every scene was meticulously planned and choreographed. This planning was essential to minimize the risk to the car, driver, and factory. As a working factory, the environment was filled with potential hazards, including gas mains, fiber optic cables, water pipes, and the electrical power supply—all of which were only inches away from some of the dynamic 120 mph sequences.
A Factory Transformed into a Film Set
The commitment to this project extended to the factory environment itself. The team built two separate, custom vehicles for the shoot. In addition to the star Supersports, a second, backup car was prepared to ensure continuity and act as a failsafe in case the main 120 mph vehicle was damaged.
Two additional high-performance vehicles were included in the cast of cars to demonstrate the Supersports’ versatility. The Pikes Peak Bentleys, known for their success in the world’s most demanding hill climb, were featured in a high-speed car chase sequence. The Speed 8, which triumphed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2003, was also included to underscore the Supersports’ racing lineage and 120 mph credentials.
The Filming Experience: A Blend of Chaos and Discipline
The filming itself was a massive undertaking, involving a squad of over 100 people divided between the main production crew and supporting teams from across the Bentley factory.
The main crew comprised around 25 people, including:
Two Main Camera Operators: Responsible for capturing the 120 mph action from wide shots to extreme close-ups of the spinning wheels and smoking tires.
Two Drone Operators: Providing breathtaking aerial views of the Supersports navigating the factory at speed.
Two Minicams Technicians: Deploying miniature cameras in tight spots for dynamic, low-angle shots.
A Three-Person Crew: Operating a purpose-built tracking car based on a first-generation Bentayga W12, complete with a U-Crane arm for smooth, cinematic tracking shots.
Support teams were equally crucial for the 120 mph operation:
Ten Location Marshals: Tasked with ensuring each location was completely closed off and secure for filming.
Twenty-Five Vehicle Specialists: Working in two teams to maintain the Supersports and other vehicles.
A Factory Support Team: Assisting with logistics and on-the-ground support.
Medics and a Fire Crew: Always on standby to handle any potential emergencies.
Car Wranglers: Managing the logistics of moving multiple Bentley cars between shooting locations.
Heritage Car Drivers: Operating vintage Bentley models that were featured in the film.
