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WEC 24 Hours of Le Mans

Le Mans 2017: The race

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LMP2
The #38 Jackie Chan DC ORECA of Tung is now 56.7s behind the #2 Porsche in second place overall.
Sun
It's a very sunny afternoon here at Le mans. Already, the main grandstand is filling up in anticipation of the finish in 50 or so minutes.
LMP1
The #8 Toyota of Buemi is in ninth overall. That car can't make up any more places on pace, so it will be relying on attrition up front. Of course, while that car will get second-placed manufacturer points for the World Endurance Championship, overall drivers' championship points are paid to all classes.
GTE PRO
Well there we are: both the #63 and the #97 have just pitted at once for fuel – a splash in the case of the Aston, a fill-up and a driver change to Taylor for the Corvette. They leave almost as one, nearly colliding in the pitlane, Taylor ahead of Adam.
LMP1
Imagine how Bernhard must be feeling in that #2 Porsche. He will be hearing every unusual sound, every rattle, wondering what could break! And remember what happened to Toyota last year...
GTE PRO
Taylor's tyres have only been on the car for 45 minutes so he might have the legs on the Aston in this stint. But have no doubts: this is for the GTE Pro win.
Crash
The #35 Signatech ORECA of Negrao is in the wall at Mulsanne Corner. That car was second in LMP2!
Crash
What's more, that #35 Signatech ORECA was third overall!
Green flag
Negrao gets a helping hand from the marshals and rejoins. But he lost time bogged down in the gravel.
LMP2
That off is good news for the #13 Rebellion ORECA crew, which moves up to third overall as Negrao gets back to the pits.
LMP2
Disaster for the #35 so close to the finish: 
GTE PRO
Extraordinary scenes in GTE Pro. The two leaders lapping nose-to-tail in the final hour and six cars on the lead lap. It's a testament to the strength in depth of the teams and drivers in this category.
Crash
The #35 Signatech ORECA is being wheeled into the garage. The car has already slipped to fourth in class as the #37 Jackie Chan DC ORECA of Gommendy has moved up to third (and fourth overall).
LMP1
Meanwhile, Bernhard's lead in the #2 Porsche is up to 90 seconds over the #38 ORECA.
LMP2
The #24 Manor ORECA is down in seventh after its problem with fuel before the last stop (it seems a lack of it). Vergne is at the wheel. The stewards are investigating that stop for a possible infringement.
Pit stop
The #8 Toyota of Buemi is in the pits. That car runs ninth. He heads back out again.
LMP1
Bernhard having to weave his way through a clump of traffic on the Mulsanne Straight. He's not taking any chances though.
LMP1
There's just under 30 minutes separating Porsche form its 19th outright victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours.
Pit stop
Piquet Jr brings the #13 Rebellion in for its final stop, with Tung doing the same in the #38 Jackie Chan DC ORECA.
GTE PRO
Taylor nearly tripped over the Algarve LMP2 car there as he staves off Adam's challenge.
LMP2
Piquet has a bit of trouble getting the #13 Rebellion going again, but it only costs a few seconds.
Pit stop
The #2 Porsche is in the pits for a splash of fuel. Bernhard resumes without fuss.
LMP1
Overall standings with a little more than 15 minutes to go. Porsche is on course to spare the blushes of the LMP1 class, but what an effort from those leading LMP2 cars:
LMP2
In the battle for third overall, and second in LMP2, the #13 Rebellion has a 41.8s lead over the #37 Jackie Chan DC Racing ORECA.
Information
There are only 11 official retirements from this race and all the remaining 49 cars are running.
LMP1
We're inside the last 10 minutes and the #2 Porsche has this in the bag. Then again, remember last year...
Information
A few race facts for you: There have been three safety car periods, 31 slow zones - the worst hour being the sixth with six of them.
LMP1
The #2 Porsche should be on its penultimate lap now. It's at Arnage corner.
GTE PRO
Taylor and Adam have traded paint at Arnage! Car-nage at Arnage!
LMP1
Bernhard is onto his next lap. There's still just over five minutes to go so he might have to do one more. But he'd doubtless much rather take it slow and avoid the extra mileage.
LMP1
Bernhard in the #2 Porsche is a lap clear of the second-placed #38 Jackie Chan DC ORECA of Tung.He's currently on the run from Arnage to Porsche Curves.

By: Matt Beer

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