Like a small, wiry terrier, Allan McNish only needs the merest whiff of his quarry to get a second wind. While the Scot dashed in for fuel only, the lead car was stationery for two and a half minutes - its longest stop of the race - to change brake discs and drivers. Emanuele Pirro got out, Frank Biela got in, and Allan McNish got on it.
How much on it? Well, enough to record the fastest lap of the race, a 3m37.359s effort just after seven o'clock, and enough to start taking chunks of between eight and 10 seconds off Biela's lead every single lap. He hadn't quite got his target in his sights, but being back on the lead lap was one big incentive.
It isn't over yet...
In the other Audi, Michele Alboreto handed over to Christian Abt. It's fair to say that unless a major disaster befalls both of the cars ahead, Albo and co are looking destined for the lower step of the podium only.
The Courage-Peugeot C52 continued to impress in fifth, setting its fastest lap of the race just moments before McNish's quick one.
Oh, and more maladies for Panoz. The 22 car's all-Japanese line-up took their turn at being frustrated by an enforced gearbox change and dropped out of the top 10 as a result.
GTS ORECA Vipers in eighth, ninth and 10th, with Archer/Duez/Huisman leading the way. Lead LMP 675 goes down the escape road, but holds on to its lead. GT class remains the domain of the Dick Barbour Racing Porsche GT3R.
After a very promising first afternoon and evening, the LMP 900 BMW of Bscher/Gounon/Lees calls it a day due to accumulated damage and lost time. Jean Marc Gounon is called in for an early bath.
Pos No Drivers Car Class Laps/Time
8, F Biela, T Kristensen, E Pirro, Audi R8 (900), 244 laps
9, L Aiello, A McNish, S Ortelli, Audi R8 (900), + 1 lap
7, M Alboreto, C Abt, R Capello, Audi R8 (900), + 2 laps
3, E Bernard, E Collard, F Montagny, Cadillac LMP (900), + 8 laps
16, S Bourdais, O Grouillard, E Clerico, C Peugeot (900), + 16 laps
12, H Katoh, J O'Connell, P H Raphanel, Panoz Spyder LMP (900), + 18 laps
23, T Suzuki, M Kageyama, M Kageyama, Panoz Spyder LMP (900), +22 laps 52, T Archer, M Duez, P Huisman, Oreca Viper (GTS), + 23 laps
51, O Beretta, K Wendlinger, D Dupuy, Oreca Viper (GTS), + 23 laps
53, D Donohue, N Amorim, A Beltoise, Oreca Viper (GTS), + 24 laps
Class No Driver Car Time
900 9, A McNish Audi R8 3m37.359s
Class No Drivers Car Class Time
32, S Maxwell, J Graham, G Wilkins, Lola Nissan 2K/40, + 71 laps
52, T Archer, M Duez, P Huisman, Oreca Viper (GTS), + 23 laps
83, D Muller, L Luhr, B Wollek, Porsche GT3R, + 32 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 (GT), 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 (900), engine, 126 laps
21, M Schiattarella, D de Radigues, E Naspetti, Lola Judd B2K/10 (900), stopped, 154 laps
15, T Bscher, J M Gounon, G Lees, BMW LMP (900), retired, 180 laps
For a full list of race positions at the 15-hour mark click here.
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