McNish crashes before Petit start

Audi's hopes of winning the Petit Le Mans have received a major blow after Allan McNish crashed the No.1 R10 TDi prior to the start of the race

Matt Beer Oct 4, 2008, 3:22 PM

McNish, who had narrowly missed out on pole to Peugeot's Stephane Sarrazin yesterday and was determined to take the fight to Peugeot in the race, lost control of his Audi on cold tyres at the Esses on his reconnaissance lap on the way to the grid.

The R10 TDi sustained significant damage, and despite Audi's best efforts, they were unable to get the car out in time for the start of the race.

McNish ultimately joined the field two laps down, in 36th place overall.

"It was pretty serious - the front and the rear end," said McNish's co-driver Emanuele Pirro. "The positive thing is that we're in unbelievably excellent hands with the Champion team, maybe only God can beat them.

"Starting at the back would not have been a problem at all, but now we're two laps down. But we know that we can catch up two laps with the yellows, so nothing is lost."

Nicolas Minassian currently leads for Peugeot, ahead of the No.2 Audi and the three Penske Porsches.