Hour 2: Audi battle rages on

Herbert pitted from the lead on lap 24 and rejoined in second position. However, the number one Audi, taken over by Kristensen from Frank Biela, emerged from the pits ahead one lap later. Herbert passed Kristensen to lead once more several laps later when the carelessly-driven MBD Panoz of Milka Duno caused Tom to lose momentum at the Porsche Curves.

The Audi North America car, which missed the start of the race after picking up a puncture on the warm-up lap, has recovered to third place ahead of the privateer Team Goh Audi in the hands of four-times Le Mans winner Yannick Dalmas.

Also on the move during the second hour was the MG-Lola of Anthony Reid. Despite a troubled qualifying, Reid moved ahead of the sister MG of Mark Blundell on lap 19, rising as high as third place.

Bailey, who has replaced Blundell, continues to run reliably in eighth place. Reid's progress has not been without troubles, running into the back of Andy Wallace's Bentley at Tertre Rouge. The Bentley, now in the hands of former Fondmetal and Brabham F1 driver Eric van de Poele, lost time in the pits and now lies 14th after running in the lower reaches of the top 20.

Werner Lupberger crashed at Indianapolis with suspension failure on his Ascari, and was fortunate to escape with limited damage after glancing a barrier and rebounding across the track.

Also suffering from problems is the number seven Cadillac, which had run in the top five with Emmanuel Collard at the wheel. The American car has been parked in its garage for some time with a starter relay problem.

American MG privateers Knighthawk Racing suffered an off with team owner Steve Knight at the wheel. Although the car recovered to the pits, it has yet to re-emerge.

Stay tuned to Autosport.com for further hourly updates, but we will also report any major incidents as they happen.

Capello/Herbert/Pescatori Audi Sport Team Joest, Audi R8 32 laps
Kristensen/Biela/Pirro Audi Sport Team Joest, Audi R8 +2.355s
Krumm/Peter/Werner Audi Sport North America, Audi R8 31 laps
Ara/Dalmas/Katoh Team Goh, Audi R8 31 laps
Reid/Hughes/Kane MG Sport, MG-Lola EX257 31 laps **
Lammers/Hillebrand/Coronel Racing for Holland, Dome-Judd S101 31 laps
Taylor/Angelelli/Tinseau Cadillac, Team Cadillac, Cadillac LMP02 30 laps
Blundell/Bailey/McGarrity MG Sport, MG-Lola EX257 30 laps **
Sarrazin/Montagny/Minassian Team ORECA, Dallara-Judd LMP 30 laps
Cottaz/Derichebourg/Bjork Courage-Judd C60JX 30 laps


Menu/Rydell/Enge Prodrive, Ferrari 550 Maranello 34 laps


Dumas/Maassen/Bergmeister Freisinger Motorsport, Porsche 911 GT3-RS 32 laps