Hour 8: Puncture delays number 1 Audi
Audi's march to a third successive win in the Le Mans 24 Hours continues to be interrupted by punctures with the number one car the latest to be affected
The erstwhile leader suffered a front right tyre failure, but Tom Kristensen was able to limp back to the pits where the team turned the car around quickly enough for the Dane to resume in the lead. However, Johnny Herbert was to put the number two car back on the lead lap.
The Brit was unable to fully capitalise, though, as not long after the number one car rejoined, the race was put under the Safety Car for the first time this weekend. The cause of its deployment was the KnightHawk MG, which expired in spectacular fiery fashion on the Mulsanne straight.
With smoke pouring across the track making visibility practically nil at one of the fastest parts of the track, it was the only viable option.
The Safety Car was good news for the number 14 ORECA which is in the pits having its gearbox changed. The incident has dropped the car from sixth to the bottom of the top 10.
The troubled race of the number seven Cadillac continued as it picked up a puncture. Unfortunately, as Emmanuel Collard dragged the car back to the pits it picked up some suspension damage, which necessitated a longer pitstop. The sister car is enjoying better luck and is up to seventh.
It was downhill for the 72 Porsche of former champion skier Luc Alphand, which was another to pick up a puncture.
Biela/Kristensen/Pirro Audi Sport Team Joest, Audi R8, 126 laps
Capello/Herbert/Pescatori Audi Sport Team Joest, Audi R8, 126 laps
Krumm/Peter/Werner Audi Sport North America, Audi R8, 124 laps
Reid/Hughes/Kane MG Sport, MG-Lola EX257, 124 laps**
Wallace/Leitzinger/van de Poele Team Bentley, Bentley EXP Speed 8, 122 laps*
Beretta/Lamy/Comas Team ORECA, Dallara-Judd LMP, 121 laps
Taylor/Angelli/Tinseau Team Cadillac, Cadillac-Northstar LMP-02 121 laps
Goossens/Matthews/Theys Riley & Scott Racing Riley & Scott MkIIIC, 120 laps
Lammers/Hillebrand/Coronel Racing for Holland, Dome-Judd S101, 119 laps
Sarrazin/Montagny/Minassian Team ORECA, Dallara-Judd LMP, 118 laps
*GTP class
**LMP675 class
Menu/Rydell/Enge Prodrive, Ferrari 550 Maranello 114 laps
Dumas/Maassen/Bergmeister Freisinger Motorsport, Porsche 911 GT3-RS 108 laps
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