Hour 5: MG benefits from Audi puncture
After the number two Audi lost time with a left-rear puncture in hour four, losing the lead in the process, this time it was the number three car that suffered an identical problem. The drama has promoted the flying MG of Jonny Kane to a superb third place
Philipp Peter was forced to complete half a lap on three wheels in the third of the Joest-run Audis, and thus dropped behind Kane - who had built on the previous good work done by team-mates Anthony Reid and Warren Hughes.
The number one Audi continues to lead, with Emanuele Pirro currently holding a comfortable two lap lead.
Krumm then took over from Peter and chased down Kane as the hour drew to a close. The fourth placed Team Goh Audi has reduced its pace and appears to be taking a tortoise-like approach to the event, as opposed to the hares ahead of them.
The Racing for Holland Dome is maintaining its sixth position, well clear of its nearest threat, the ORECA-run Dallara-Judd of Toyota F1 test driver Stephane Sarrazin.
The sole Bentley is now up to eighth after its earlier delays, the main one being the replacement of a compressor.
"The car is setting competitive times," said Bentley's Richard Lloyd. "I think there is one or two fragile cars in front of us."
In the classes, the Prodrive-run Ferrari continues to run like clockwork, which is quite apt for Swiss driver Alain Menu: "It's getting better and better. For sure, it's very warm in this car, because there's a big engine in front of you, but we will start double stinting as the temperature comes down."
Stay tuned to Autosport.com for further hourly updates.
Biela/Kristensen/Pirro Audi Sport Team Joest, Audi R8, 81 laps
Capello/Herbert/Pescatori Audi Sport Team Joest, Audi R8, 80 laps
Reid/Hughes/Kane MG Sport, MG-Lola EX257, 79 laps**
Krumm/Peter/Werner Audi Sport North America, Audi R8, 79 laps
Ara/Dalmas/Katoh Team Goh, Audi R8, 78 laps
Lammers/Hillebrand/Coronel Racing for Holland, Dome-Judd S101, 78 laps
Sarrazin/Montagny/Minassian Team ORECA, Dallara-Judd LMP, 78 laps
Wallace/Leitzinger/van de Poele Team Bentley, Bentley EXP Speed 8, 78 laps*
Cottaz/Derichebourg/Bjork Courage Competition, Courage-Judd C60JX, 78 laps
Beretta/Lamy/Comas Team ORECA, Dallara-Judd LMP, 77 laps
*GTP class
**LMP675 class
Menu/Rydell/Enge Prodrive, Ferrari 550 Maranello 73 laps
Dumas/Maassen/Bergmeister Freisinger Motorsport, Porsche 911 GT3-RS 69 laps
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