Le Mans latest (8)

Mercedes release a statement regarding their decision to race despite two accidents in the lead up to the race and their subsequent withdrawal and accident. (see separate story)

24:32: (CET) JJ Letho has taken over the leading BMW when it came in for a stop. The car returned to the circuit in the lead.

Jorg Muller complained that he didn't know where the slower cars would go on the circuit as they seemed to hog the centre of the track. However he praised the BMW saying it was running like, 'Munich Clockwork.'

He also said that the it was too early to put in a charge but that after 22 hours they would begin to increase the pace.


24:29: (CET) Race lap record holder Alan McNish comes in after 12 laps, Kelleners takes over and heads back out. The BMW has also stopped again.

McNish's stint led to 30-40 seconds reduction in the BMW's lead: 'The cars very very good.' Said the Scot. 'It's obviously quick enough, its faster than the BMW.'


24:15: (CET) Chrysler dominate GTS class

Chrysler Vipers are holding the top three positions in the GTS class.

The American cars are in 15th, 16th and 18th places overall with ORECA team drivers Olivier Beretta, Karl Wendlinger and Dominique Dupuy leading team-mates Justin Bell, Tommy Archer and Marc Duez.

However, the number 51 car is understood to have gearbox problems. 'We have a small alert on the number 51 car,' said Pierre Dieudonne, Sporting Director of ORECA. 'It is nothing major, and there is still a long way to go , so we will keep an eye on it.

24:01: (CET) The Audi No 10 had a rear anti-roll bar problem which has been sorted out.

Alan McNish has reduced the gap to the lead BMW to 54 seconds. The Scot has yet again found considerably more speed from the Toyota GT-One than either of his team