Le Mans 2017: Thursday
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LMP2
Vaxiviere is now out in the #28 G-Drive/TDS ORECA. He had overnight pole, and hasn't had a proper go at improving tonight, so that car has slipped down to 12th
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GTE PRO
Amidst that excitement in GTE Am, the #64 Corvette went second in Pro with a 3m52.017s. Tommy Milner now at the wheel of that car.
LMP1
The top eight overall, led by a Toyota one-two and featuring the LMP2 leaders as well:
Green flag
The track is now clear. Green flag!
LMP2
Before this spate of yellows and slow zones, there were a few improvements in LMP2. Currently, the order is: 1 #25 Manor ORECA; 2 #38 Jackie Chan DC Racing ORECA; 3 #13 Rebellion ORECA; 4 #24 Manor ORECA; 5 #31 Rebellion ORECA; 6 #37 Jackie Chan DC Racing ORECA
Driver Change
Nakajima has immediately pitted and handed over to Buemi - who was at the wheel when the #8 Toyota ground to a halt in the earlier session - after making that improvement.
GTE AM
Barker in the barriers:
GTE AM
The #86 Gulf Porsche had only just returned to the circuit, having been parked early in the last session with a suspected oil leak.
GTE AM
It's hard work keeping up with all these incidents! Here's a view of the silver Ferrari being recovered at the first chicane:
Crash
#86 Porsche in the wall at Indianapolis.
GTE AM
A more dramatic off for the Spirit of Race Ferrari:
Yellow flag
More yellows, this time near Arnage
LMP2
Chandhok sets the best time for the #34 Tockwith Ligier, a 3m33.695s. That's 21st.
GTE AM
Just before that yellow, Bell went top in the #62 Ferrari with a 3m53.312s, Bertolini brought the #83 Ferrari up to third behind Stevens with a 3m54.088s, and Ross Gunn posted the #99 Aston fifth with a 3m54.328s.
LMP2
Beche has moved up to third in the #13 Rebellion ORECA on a 3m26.811s.
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LMP2
Incident round-up, starting with the IDEC car off the road:
Slow Zone
The slow zone is active.
Yellow flag
The yellow by Arnage has been cleared, but there's still one at the Ford Chicane. Slow zone imminent.
Yellow flag
Castellacci is off in the #54 Spirit Of Race Ferrari.
LMP1
Nakajima's improvement suggests the super-quick engine change from Toyota was a success but both the #8 and #9 cars are still considerably slower than Kobayashi in #7.
Crash
The #17 IDEC Ligier of Patrice Lafargue is off out of Arnage.
LMP1
And we do have an improvement straightaway! Nakajima in the #8 Toyota goes straight up to second with a 3m17.128s - still 2.3s off of Kobayashi's lap. Lapierre in the #9 Toyota also improves, but stays fifth, setting the fastest first sector of everyone in the process.
Yellow flag
Yellow flags in the vicinity of Arnage.
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LMP1
If there are going to be any improvements, it's reasonable to expect them to come in these opening stages. All LMP1 cars have taken to the track with the exception of the ByKolles.
LMP1
So, here are the starting drivers for this one. In the Toyotas are Sarrazin (#7), Nakajima (#8) and Lapierre (#9), while in the Porsches are Jani (#1) and Bamber (#2). And in its traditional position at the back is Webb in the ByKolles.
LMP2
With the track conditions good, we've got some of the pole contenders on track. Petrov is the #25 Manor ORECA and Vergne is in the #24 sister car.
Green flag
This is it then, final qualifying for the Le Mans 24 Hours begins!
Information
We have just had confirmation that third qualifying will start on time, despite the hefty crash for Buret that brought out the red flags earlier.
With six minutes to go until the session begins, cars are already starting to queue up at the end of the pitlane. And so begins the traditional pit exit mayhem.
LMP1
One of the many things to watch out for in this final qualifying session will be the pace of the #8 Toyota. It was the only LMP1 car not to improve in the earlier segment after a precautionary engine change. Can it get close to the time Kobayashi set in the sister #7 car?
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Information
It is now just a little over 10 minutes until third qualifying gets under way and we find out if that incredible lap from Kobayashi can be bettered.
Autosport
For a full round-up of all the incidents from that session, from all of the classes, here is Autosport's report of second qualifying 
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Information
There is only 30 minutes until the third and final qualifying session is due to start, but barrier repairs after Buret's shunt will need to take place first.
By: Matt Beer
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