Hour 20: Audi homes in on clean sweep
With four of the 24 hours still left to run the number one Audi looks set fair for an historic victory at Le Mans. A solid stint by Frank Biela has stretched the lead car's advantage to over a lap once more and only mechanical failure seems able to deny the number one driving crew their third straight victory
The challenge of the number two car seems to have faded. It's no longer lapping as quickly as the lead car and it failed to put up a fight when faced with the prospect of going a lap down. The number three car continues to hold station in third, a further lap behind.
Bentley will be hoping for driver error or a first mechanical retirement for a works Audi if it's to repeat its podium finish of 2001. The sole GTP car is comfortable in fourth, four laps ahead of the duelling ORECAs.
The battle between the Dallaras is the closest in the top 10, with the number 15 machine less than a minute ahead of the sister car, which is currently in the hands of Stephane Sarrazin.
The best fight in the race has been broken up unfortunately. The number 80 Porsche, which had been contesting the lead in the GT class, was shown the black flag after officials spotted one too many mechanics working on the car during a routine pitstop. A 10 second stop/go penalty was awarded, which could have decisively swung the advantage to the number 81 The Racer's Group 911 GT3-RS.
It was the end of the road for the unique Morgan, which had exceeded most expectations. However, engine problems finally put pay to its race.
Biela/Kristensen/Pirro Audi Sport Team Joest, Audi R8, 311 laps
Capello/Herbert/Pescatori Audi Sport Team Joest, Audi R8, 310 laps
Krumm/Peter/Werner Audi Sport North America, Audi R8, 309 laps
Wallace/Leitzinger/van de Poele Bentley EXP Speed 8, 301 laps *
Beretta/Lamy/Comas Team ORECA, Dallara-Judd LMP, 297 laps
Sarrazin/Montagny/Minassian Team ORECA, Dallara-Judd LMP, 297 laps
Ara/Dalmas/Katoh Team Goh Audi, Audi R8, 296 laps
Lammers/Hillerbrand/Coronel Racing for Holland, Dome S101, 295 laps
Taylor/Angelli/Tinseau Team Cadillac, Cadillac 291 laps
Bernard/Collard/Lehto, Team Cadillac, Cadillac 283 laps
*GTP class leader
Fellows/O'Connell/Gavin, Corvette Racing Chevrolet Corvette, 278 laps
Daoudi/Defournoux/Bouvet, Welter Racing, WR-Peugeot, 265 laps
Buckler/Lohr/Bernhard, The Racers Group, Porsche 911 GT3-RS, 267 laps
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