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Hour 13: Problems for Panoz

Battle for the lead

Metronomic, clockwork and without incident. Words to describe Audi's race thus far are becoming increasingly overused. The trio of R8's eight, nine and seven remain in positions one, two and three while the drama and incident seems to be restricted to the best-of-the-rest Panoz cars.
The gearbox cluster problem that prompted a transmission change on the number 11 car has now befallen the sister car of Katoh/O'Connell/Raphanel. A 20 minute stop sent the Japanese driver back onto the track after having lost his fifth place to the number three Cadillac.

The other Panoz has also had further problems with smoke pouring out the rear of the car. The smoke was first spotted when Andretti pitted to take on fuel and tyres and relinquish the driving seat to David Brabham. The Australian had barely begun his stint when the smoke increased forcing him to return to the pits. A lengthy stop has thus far not provided any solutions.


The Multimatic Lola has taken over the lead of the 675 LMP class over the two WR Peugeot cars. All three 675 entries remaining in the race are grouped in positions 33 to 35. The Oreca Vipers, numbers 51 and 52 still occupy the top of the GTS class in 10th and 11th place respectively. 26 laps behind the leaders is the Dick Barbour Porsche which is 4 laps ahead of its nearest GT class rival.


Dawn is breaking over the hallowed La Sarthe circuit. As the light improves the drivers can up the pace as they push on into the morning.
The seemingly unbreakable Oreca viper of Beretta and co suffered braking problems during Karl Wendlinger's last stint, causing the car to pull sharply to the right. The Austrian had to put up the problem hoping the problem would be eradicated with a new set of tyres.

Pos No Drivers Car Class Laps/Time
8, F Biela, T Kristensen, E Pirro, Audi R8 (900), 196 laps
9, L Aiello, A McNish, S Ortelli, Audi R8 (900), +1 lap
7, M Alboreto, C Abt, R Capello, Audi R8 (900), +1:00.953
3, E Bernard, E Collard, F Montagny, Cadillac LMP (900), +6 laps
11, D Brabham, J Magnussen, M Andretti, Panoz Spyder LMP (900), +9 laps
12, H Katoh, J O'Connell, P H Raphanel, Panoz Spyder LMP (900), + 13.49.237
16, S Bourdais, O Grouillard, E Clerico, C Peugeot (900), +10 laps
23, T Suzuki, M Kageyama, M Kageyama, Panoz Spyder LMP (900), +13 laps
, 17. P Gache G Formato, D Cottaz, Courage Judd (900), +15 laps
51, O Beretta, K Wendlinger, D Dupuy, Oreca Viper (GTS), +16 laps


Class No Driver Car Time
900 9, A McNish Audi R8 3m37.877s


Class No Drivers Car Class Time
32, S Maxwell, J Graham, G Wilkins, Lola Nissan 2K/40, +61 laps
51, O Beretta, K Wendlinger, D Dupuy, Oreca Viper, + 13 laps
83, D Muller, L Luhr, B Wollek, Porsche GT3R, +23 laps


No Drivers Car Laps Reason
4, M Goossens, C Tinseau, K Kolby, DAM'S Cadillac LMP (900), fire - 5 laps
5, Y Dalmas, N Minassian, J P Belloc, ORECA Reynard-Mopar 2KQ (900), oil pressure - 1 lap
20, J Lammers, P Kox, T Coronel, Konrad Lola B2K/10 (900), retired, 38 laps
33, J D Deletraz, R Kelleners, D Terrien, ROC VW (675), engine, 44 laps
77, C Bouchut, J Chereau, P Gouselard, Porsche GT3-R, accident, 34 laps
34, J-C Boullion, J Gene, G Policand, Reynard Volkswagen (675), engine, 72 laps
24, S Johansson, J Matthews, G Smith, Reynard Judd 2KQ, engine, 126 laps
21, M Schiattarella, D de Radigues, E Naspetti, Lola Judd B2K/10, stopped, 154 laps

For a full list of race positions at the nine-hour mark click here.


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