Update: Audis feel the heat

The leading car of Rinaldo Capello, Christian Pescatori and Johnny Herbert held a two-lap cushion over the private Champion Racing entry, despite an early collision with a Porsche GT car. The second works car of Emanuele Pirro, Frank Biela and Tom Kristensen had traded the lead in the early stages, but also ran into backmarker trouble, forcing a pit visit for a new nose.

Shortly after half distance, the Kristensen car hit mechanical problems and lost 19 laps which dumped it back to ninth place.

Early casualties included the Panoz of David Brabham, Jan Magnussen and Eric van de Poele which retired following an oil leak, and the MG Lola from the LMP 675 class which former Indy Lights racer Jonny Kane had qualified third overall. The Northern Irishman spectacularly mixed it in the top five with the big boys in the opening hour until suspension problems delayed the Avon-shod car.

Bryan Herta, making his sportscar debut, was part of the crew that had the remaining Panoz into third place.

In one of the hottest races that people can remember, problems arose as the sun set. The track surface began to break up, forcing a lengthy yellow while track repairs are made.


1, Christian Pescatori/Rinaldo Capello/Johnny Herbert, works Audi R8
2, Andy Wallace/Jan Lammers/Stefan Johansson, Champion Audi R8, -1 lap
3, Bryan Herta/David Donohue/Bill Auberlen, works Panoz LMP01, -6 laps
4, Guy Smith/Marc Goossens/Jim Matthews, Riley & Scott MkIIIC, -7 laps
5, James Weaver/Butch Leitzinger/Elliott Forbes-Robinson, Dyson Riley & Scott Mk III, - 10 laps
6, Michael Durand/Jon Field/Duncan Dayton, Intersport Lola EX257, -17laps
7, Ben Collins/Christian Vann/Justin Wilson, Ascari, -17 laps
8, Johnny O'Connell/Ron Fellows/Oliver Gavin, works Chevrolet Corvette, -17 laps
9, Tom Kristensen /Frank Biela/Emanuele Pirro, works Audi R8, -19 laps
10, Franz Konrad/Toni Seiler/Terry Borcheller, Konrad Saleen S7R, -25 laps