Asian Le Mans/ILMC, Zhuhai - To The Finish

As we await the leaders final stop, things are happening in GT2 and GTC. Marc Lieb has just made his final stop in the #77 Porsche, while the CRS Ferrari has dropped to fourth after a long stop.

In GTC, meanwhile, Danny Watts' great run in the #96 Audi has come to end with transmission failure (although the team suspect it is clutch-related) at T12. The KK Audi now has a massive lead in the class.

Da Rocha has similarly spoiled the OAK Courage's blemish-free run, following a trip across the T14 gravel, necessitating a lengthy - but not terminal - stop. 

17:16 - 13 laps to go. Sarrazin leads TK by 36.918 laps, but is due in any time soon.

17:18 - Leader in. Fuel in - how long? 30 seconds!

Sarrazin gets out just before the Audi, but TK has Bourdais between him and the leader.

With ten laps to go, the gap is below two seconds, but TK has to get past Bourdais - and it is clear that the Frenchman is holding the Dane up.

As the gap rises above three seconds, it is clear that the Audi can do nothing about the car ahead. Bourdais is being shown blue flags, but is not responding to them.

In GT2, Muller has made a final splash and dash in the BMW and a class win looks in the bag.

17:29 - TK gets by Bourdais. Five laps and 3.773s to go for the Audi.

17:32 - Three laps to go - Sarrazin has extended the lead to almost five seconds, while Bourdais is distracting Kristensen by driving right behind him. It now looks like Peugeot's race.

Final lap - Sarrazin starts it with a 5.250s lead. He has several slower cars to negotiate and nearly comes a cropper at the hands of the saleen. However, he hangs on to win by just 4.826s after 1000 kilometres.

Dumas finishes third for Audi, while BMW do indeed land the GT2 title. Marchy Lee brings home the KK Audi to take the GTC crown, while Patrice Lafargue reclaims fifth overall after a late splash for the amazing hybrid Porsche. Steve Zacchia's Hope Polevision FLM completed 201 laps to finish ninth overall, and the Larbre Saleen ended its days in 18th.  

JW's View Of The Run To The Finish:

Sarrazin took the lead when Kristensen stopped for what was effectively a mere splash, as we’re into the last 15 laps of the race. There was a bit of drama for the Lola. Paul Drayson returned the car to the circuit after its long delay and speared off on the cold tires—there seemed to be little damage but he returned to the pits.

There is drama in GTC right at the five hour mark. Danny Watts is stranded at Turn 12 with what appears to be a defective clutch. Thus the Hong Kong based Audi with Marchy Lee aboard will inherit the class lead.

Despite the rather remote observations of certain commentators, it remains bright and clear. The TV pictures are misleading.

On lap 220 of 232 Sarrazin makes the last stop of the race. The lead was at about 30 seconds before the stop and the No. 2 car managed to retain the lead – just. But now he’s getting a bit of help from a friend. Bourdais, some three laps down, slowed a tad and Sarrazin came out of the pits ahead of the lapped car. This means that although Kristensen’s margin back in second was quite small, he has a very wide 908 to get around before being able to attack the leader—French tactics indeed.

There are blue flags aplenty for Bourdais. He must think that the Chinese marshals are simply waving one of his national colors at him.

With five laps to go Kristensen finally slips past Bourdais at Turn 1. Can Audi return the favor with Dumas getting in the way with the No. 8 car?—not likely. Indeed, just not enough time. Sarrazin reels off the last two laps and Kristensen has no answer, other than some well-chosen post-race remarks.  It is Peugeot for the race and Peugeot for the first Intercontinental Cup.

We’re waiting for the press conference—should be an interesting one.

The first Prototype and GT endurance race in China has been a success, despite some rather questionable officiating. The field may not have been large, but it was of good quality.  Asian racing is here to stay, good people, good country, good food.

In case you’re interested, I’m off to a family friendly and delightful restaurant that I found last night—perhaps adding a few nips of Mai Tai. Others may wish to visit the Dragon Union Opera House, billed as an “all-inclusive karaoke experience”. There are jugglers, singers, other performers, and hostesses to take to you a private room where you can further the karaoke experience. Beds are provide in case you’ve sung a bit too much.