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His new world record was based on
the average of two runs in opposite directions with measured
speeds ratified by a representative of The Guinness Book of
Records.
“The last time, I narrowly missed
the magical 200 mph mark in a Continental GT. When I heard about
the Supersports I was determined to go record breaking again
with the Bentley Boys. This time, with over 600bhp under the
bonnet, a Quickshift transmission and the security of the
all-wheel drive system, the Supersports convertible was the
perfect car to go for the record. ” Kankkunen said.
“200mph came up after 5km on sheet
ice. Then it was just a question of getting everything right in
the timing zone and hoping the snow kept away. There’s nothing
to beat driving a Bentley at these speeds; the conditions may be
perilous but the car responds so well to the slightest
adjustment which gives you the confidence to push even harder.”
As with the previous
record-breaking drive in the Continental GT the Anglo-Finnish
team used a car with minimum modification. A fully-welded,
heavy-duty safety roll-cage, along with Pirelli winter tyres
(Pirelli SottoZero II 275/40R20) and a rear bumper-mounted
parachute provided reassurance in case of an emergency. Front
and rear spoilers provided optimum high speed stability on the
treacherous surface.
To highlight Bentley’s
environmental commitment to sustainable fuel sources,
Kankkunen’s Supersports Convertible was fuelled with E85
bioethanol rather than petrol (gasoline). All models in the
Continental range are capable of running on petrol (gasoline),
E85 bioethanol or any combination of the two.
Wolfgang Dürheimer, Bentley’s new
Chairman and Chief Executive, said:
“The ice speed record is an
amazing feat by Juha Kankkunen, whose skill and courage in
extreme conditions truly make him one of the modern-day Bentley
Boys. We will be celebrating this achievement with a very
special ‘extreme’ Bentley, which will be the most powerful model
ever to bear the famed Winged B emblem.”
A limited edition of just 100
examples of this most extreme Bentley will be made and the car
will make its global debut at the Geneva Motor Show on 1st
March.
Photo: Bentley
(15 February 2011)
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