Bentley wins at Le Mans for first time in 73 years

Team Bentley dismissed Audi's challenge and finally returned to the top of the Le Mans podium Sunday, 73 years after its last victory in the grueling 24-hour race.

Bentley's No.7 car took the checkered flag at 4pm, two laps clear of the second-placed Bentley No.8 car.

Denmark's Tom Kristensen, piloting in the No.7 car, set a new Le Mans record with his fourth straight win. Archrival Audi, winner the previous three years, trotted behind in third and fourth places -- unable to match the power of Bentley's robust Speed 8 prototypes on the winding 13.8km circuit. Bentley's victory was its sixth overall, with the previous five titles clinched between 1924 and 1930 in the golden era of the "Bentley Boys," the flamboyant racers who earned the sobriquet because of their dashing ways, their dandy-like dress.

The No.7 car set a new course record of 377 laps, eclipsing the previous mark of 375 laps set by Audi last year.

Britain's Guy Smith was at the wheel when the No.7 clinched the win, but the hard grind had been shared by Kristensen and Italy's Rinaldo Capello.