Champion Audi leads at half distance

The Champion car enjoyed a close scrap with fellow Audi team Joest in the early hours of the event, before slowly pulling a lap clear. This was despite a dramatic near miss in the pit lane, when driver Emanuelle Pirro nearly collided with a Saleen in the pit-lane.

As expected the two Bentleys have stormed through the field, after being forced to start from near the back of the field when their qualifying times were disallowed. Both Speed 8s quickly rose into the top five, and have enjoyed a titanic struggle with the Audi Sport UK squad. The fight turned physical when Bentley driver David Brabham forced his way past the Audi, forcing Johnny Kane onto the grass in avoidance.

The two works Chevrolet Corvettes have built a clear lead in the GTS class, despite an early challenge from the Prodrive built Veloqx Ferraris. The White Lightning Porsche 911 leads the GT class.

Several leading runners have hit trouble. Neither Lister's new LMP 900 class Storm nor Carsports new Pagani Zonda made it past the first hour. Team Nasamax's bio-ethanol fuelled Reynard was another early retirement. Meanwhile, Dyson Racing, which had harboured hopes of an overall victory with its LMP 675 class Lola-MG, time after a clash with a slower car.