Rally champion, Juha Kankkunen achieves 205.48 mph (330.695 km/h) in extreme Bentley convertible
(Oulu, Finland. 15 February 2011)
Finland’s four-time world rally champion Juha Kankkunen drove a Bentley
Continental Supersports convertible on the hazardous frozen waters of
the Baltic Sea, off the coast of Finland, at a breathtaking 205.48 mph
(330.695 km/h) to set a new world speed record on ice.
Kankkunen
was in irresistible form with his all-wheel drive, 6-litre, 12-cylinder
Continental Supersports convertible which, in line with the Company’s CO2
strategy, ran on biofuel. The world’s fastest soft top enabled Juha to
shatter his own 2007 world ice speed record of 199.83 mph (321.6 km/h)
set in the Continental GT at the same location.
With the help of
his own experienced team and Bentley engineers, Kankkunen overcame the
challenges of temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees, sudden snow
blizzards and potentially dangerous crosswinds on the 16.5km track on a
70cm-thick layer of sea ice. The record attempt was driven on a 1000m
long measured distance with the speed certified by officials from the
Finland Traffic Police. 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.
Notes for Editors:
Bentley
Motors’ and Juha Kankkunen’s new world ice speed driving records were
supported by the following sponsors and technical partners:
BREITLING FOR BENTLEY – ‘Instruments for Professionals’ and brand partner of Bentley Motors for the provision of specialist timing equipment.
JEFF GREEN – specialised warm weather clothing for all technicians and engineers.
PERFORMANCE AND PROTECTION - manufacturer of advanced roll cages for health and safety and motorsport applications since 1989.
IOGEN CORPORATION – E85 Bioethanol supplier.
JUHA KANKKUNEN: BRIEF CV
- Juha Matti Pellervo Kankkunen, born 1959 in Laukaa, Finland
- One of the most experienced rally drivers of all times
- Four times rally World Champion (1986, 1987, 1991, 1993)
- 23 times World Rally Winner
- Started his career in 1978
- First World Rally win in 1985 (Safari Rally)
- Won Dakar Rally in 1988
- World ice speed record in 2007, in a Bentley Continental GT
HISTORY OF WORLD ICE SPEED RECORDS
- 2011: Bentley Continental Supersports convertible: 205.48 mph (330.695 km/h) driven by Juha Kankkunen
- 2007: Bentley Continental GT: 199.83 mph (321.6 km/h) driven by Juha Kankkunen
- 1995: Bugatti EB110 Supersport: 184 mph (296 km/h)
BENTLEY’S EARLY HISTORY OF RECORD BREAKING
- 1924:
John Duff in a Bentley 3-litre took records at Brooklands between 87mph
(139.7 km/h) and 93 mph (149.3 km/h) and a Double-Twelve race victory
at 86.69 mph (139.2 km/h)
- 1925: A Bentley 3-litre established a 24-hrs record at Montlhery at an average speed of 95 mph (152.9 km/h).
- 1927: The 24-hrs Grand Prix de Paris at Montlhery was won by a Bentley 41/2 –litre at an average speed of 52.5 mph (84.5 km/h)
- 1928:
A Bentley 3-litre driven by Dudley Froy became the first car to average
more than 115 mph (185.1 km/h) over a distance of 100 miles (160.9 km)
at Brooklands
- 1929: Mrs Victor Bruce drove solo in a Bentley 41/2-litre at Montlhery to set a Class C record at over 89mph (143.2 km/h)
- 1932:
Tim Birkin in a Birkin blower single seater broke the Brooklands Outer
Circuit lap record with a speed of 137.96 mph (221.47 km/h)
- 1934:
Walter Hassan in a Barnato – Hassan single seater set a new Brooklands
Outer Circuit record of 142.6 mph (228.9 km/h). It achieved a faster
lap time of 143.11 mph (230.3 km).