Hour 19: Lead Audi loses a lap

A problem for the lead car at its last routine pitstop allowed the lead battle to thrive. As Frank Biela tried to leave the pits the R8's engine died and at first the team could not get it restarted. Eventually the car was wheeled into the garage with its engine cover off, emerging over three minutes later with the engine finally firing.

During this time Johnny Herbert was able to regain the lead lap and a chance of the overall win.

"We were just trying to be consistent and save the tyres during the stint," said Herbert. "With the problem that has hit the number one car it has sort of even things out."

After a race of continuing problems the Panoz team was finally been forced to call time on the challenge of the number 12 car when its V10 engine suffered a cracked piston.

Positions through the rest of the field remain pretty much unchanged, although the Luc Alphand Porsche lost yet more time after suffering its third puncture of the race.

The fight for the lead in the GT class continues unabated, with the number 81 Porsche holding a slender lead over the number 80 version.

Biela/Kristensen/Pirro Audi Sport Team Joest, Audi R8, 295 laps
Capello/Herbert/Pescatori Audi Sport Team Joest, Audi R8, 294 laps
Krumm/Peter/Werner Audi Sport North America, Audi R8, 292 laps
Wallace/Leitzinger/van de Poele Bentley EXP Speed 8, 285 laps *
Beretta/Lamy/Comas Team ORECA, Dallara-Judd LMP, 281 laps
Sarrazin/Montagny/Minassian Team ORECA, Dallara-Judd LMP, 281 laps
Ara/Dalmas/Katoh Team Goh Audi, Audi R8, 280 laps
Lammers/Hillerbrand/Coronel Racing for Holland, Dome S101, 279 laps
Taylor/Angelli/Tinseau Team Cadillac, Cadillac 276 laps
Bernard/Collard/Lehto, Team Cadillac, Cadillac 268 laps
*GTP class leader


Fellows/O'Connell/Gavin, Corvette Racing Chevrolet Corvette, 264 laps


Daoudi/Defournoux/Bouvet, Welter Racing, WR-Peugeot, 255 laps


Buckler/Lohr/Bernhard, The Racers Group, Porsche 911 GT3-RS, 253 laps