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24 Hours of Le Mans
The 76th Le Mans 24 Hours
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Minassian is currently closing on Kristensen by four seconds per lap but that rate needs to be much higher at this stage, with the gap still over two minutes.
Thirty minutes of racing remain in a dramatic conclusion to the 2008 Le Mans 24 hours.
Peugeot are covering all their options and are ready in the pitlane with full wet tyres should Minassian require them.
The sun is now shining on the pit straight.
The No.1 Audi of Frank Biela has spun entering the first of the Mulsanne chicanes. He rejoins with some help, weaves his way through the tyres that Minassian passes just a few moments ago and rejoins the circuit.
Minassian tip-toes round the opening section of the circuit that is somewhere between very damp and lightly wet.
The gap is now 2:28, with Minassian faster on that lap after cutting the chicane.
The No.7 Peugeot has missed one of the Mulsanne chicanes and gone straight on weaving through the tyre walls. Minassian rejoins the racetrack with no damage whatsoever.
The No.1 Audi pits for intermediates. They took a full wet at the start of the downpour.
Kristensen pulls a further four seconds ahead of the slick-shod Minassian. Peugeot are gambling that the Audi will be forced into a stop to change back from their lightly-cut tyre.
The shower has now stopped at the first part of the Mulsanne straight. The drying process begins again.
Light rain continues to fall at the top end of the Mulsanne straight.
The lead gap from first to second is out to 2:42 with Minassian losing over four seconds on that spin.
The No.3 Audi rejoins the race after a lengthy spell in the garage.
Replays show that Minassian spun on his own - a complete 360 degree spin while struggling for grip in the treacherous conditions.
The No.7 car is off the road and forced to take to the extra tarmac to avoid hitting another car. Minassian rejoins without damage.
The gap is out to 2:39 between Kristensen and Minassian as the Audi seems to have the edge in the conditions.
The Mulsanne straight has rain falling there, and as Kristensen turns into Mulsanne corner ... yes, it is dry at the far corner of the circuit.
The No.9 Peugeot is back underway after a brief spell in the garage.
The track is in stark contrast in terms of water level. The track is soaked in the pits area but is almost dry down at Mulsanne corner.
The gap from Kristensen to Minassian is 2:26 as they try to navigate the tricky conditions.
The No.9 and No.3 cars are garaged simultaneously as the drama continues to unfold.
The No.9 Peugeot pits and they are going to fit full wet tyres to the car.
The No.8 Peugeot pits from fifth with Alex Wurz taking over. Full wet tyres are put on the car.
Minassian rejoins on slicks as Peugeot roll the dice.
The No.7 pits.
No tyre change! The No.7 stays on the slick tyres.
No tyre change! The No.7 stays on the slick tyres.
Significant rain is now falling.
The gap of two minutes back to the first Peugeot could soon evaporate in a gamble over which tyres to stop for during each phase of the shower.
High drama as we move towards the final hour of the race.
If the rain falls any heavier or for any longer then the intermediate tyre may not be able to cope in the conditions.
If the rain falls any heavier or for any longer then the intermediate tyre may not be able to cope in the conditions.
The rain is falling heavier on the circuit now.
The No.2 Audi of Tom Kristensen is in from the lead. They fit a cut intermediate to the leading car as rain continues to fall.
Frank Biela brings in the No.1 Audi from sixth position for a routine pitstop. The tyres are changed and it is intermediates being bolted on to the No.1 car.
This will give Audi all the information they need ahead of the stop for the leader.
This will give Audi all the information they need ahead of the stop for the leader.
This has the look of a heavier shower than those throughout the morning.
The No.55 IPB Spartak Lamborghini is back on track after a major effort by the team to deal with differential problems. They are 35th overall and the last running LMGT1 but it is a valiant effort to have the car running once again.
In the pits the Audi squad have a set of intermediate tyres ready as a precaution.
The rain begins to fall for the umpteenth time in this race.
The gap continues to close and there is under two minutes between the leader and the No.7 Peugeot.
On the last lap Minassian took a six second chunk out of Kristensen's lead.
Kristensen - 3:30.000
Minassian - 3:24.016.
Kristensen - 3:30.000
Minassian - 3:24.016.
The race at the front continues between The No.2 Audi and the No.7 Peugeot.
Some form of assistance for Minassian may come in the form of the No.8 car, that Tom Kristensen is closing up on to lap.
It's highly unlikely that the driver of the No.8 - Stephane Sarrazin will block the leading Audi. But at the same time he won't be eager to see it breeze past and sail off to victory either.
Some form of assistance for Minassian may come in the form of the No.8 car, that Tom Kristensen is closing up on to lap.
It's highly unlikely that the driver of the No.8 - Stephane Sarrazin will block the leading Audi. But at the same time he won't be eager to see it breeze past and sail off to victory either.
Amazingly the No.11 Dome sqaud are attempting to repair their machine. The mechanics are covered in oil and grease after a fraught night with multiple garage visits but are still looking to have the car running at the flag.
By: Geoff Creighton, Emlyn Hughes
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