LMS Spa - Hours 2 and 3 Just before the hour mark McNish had drawn as close as 2.7 seconds back from the leader but Lamy has extended the gap again, now 7 seconds. Verstappen is drawing ever closer again to the class leading Lola Coupe, the Porsche posting a 2:07, fastest LMP2 lap of the race so far to bring the gap under 2 seconds. McNish is fending off Minassian up to Les Combes, he toughs it out but perhaps too long, both go off and shortcut the turn, both continue but McNish has a puncture, he pits and take a full service. The theory is that perhaps McNish had that problem on the previous lap, after posting a much slower lap on the previous circuit - McNish though retains third place as he rejoins, the #2 Audi having lacked pace from the start, McNish a full minute back from the leader. The Team Modena issue was a thrown alternator belt, Enge now out and lapping very quickly indeed - GT1 is now Moreau leading from Rusinov's Lamborghini by a mighty 43 seconds. Verstappen grabs the LMP2 lead and immediately pulls away. Jan Lammers meanwhile is in a distant third place with Barazi, Erdos, Lahaye and Hughes next up. Bruni has a healthy 15 second lead in GT2 from Alex Davison now aboard the #77 Felbermayr Proton Porsche, Simonsen is third in the Farnbacher Porsche with Kaffer up to a distant fourth in class, Kellener's #85 Spyker in fifth. Nick Leventis, running fourth in GT1 out brakes himself and spins at Turn 8 in the Strakka racing Aston Martin. The #10 Aston is in more trouble, back into the garage and the #32 Barazi Epsilon Zytek is bundled out of 4th in class with rear contact from a Pescarolo, Erdos inherits the LMP2 class position as Juan Barazi rejoins. The Lavaggi, which has been in trouble with front bodywork fixing issues, finally has a comedy moment at La Source as Giovanni Lavaggi brakes, and the front bodywork doesn't! The #3 car continues around slowly with the car looking even more snub-nosed than usual. Elgaard has another lengthy stop in the Team Essex Porsche, now 20th overall. Zacchia is now aboard the #33 Lola Coupe after the car's second routine stop, down to third with Lammers second. Enge is now back into third after the Team Modena car's delay, he's a lap down but pushing hard. Both Peugeots pit, the #8 car though, with Wurz at the wheel, refuses to fire. McNish goes through to lead, the #7 Peugeot, Villeneuve at the wheel is second and Rockenfeller is just 3 seconds behind in third as Wurz rejoins 20 seconds back. Zacchia posts the fastest LMP2 lap of the race so far in pursuit of van Merksteijn, now aboard the #34 Porsche, Lammers leads the class. Jonny Kane is beached at Les Combes in the #45 Embassy WF01; the Safety Car is scrambled, does not pick up McNish and that allows the Audis to make their stop under yellow, the #7 Peugeot now leads. Rockenfeller though is held at the end of the pitlane as the Safety Car approaches. Capello did make it out though, now aboard the #1 Audi. Kane makes it back to the pits as John Hindhaugh expresses himself strongly about the shortcomings of the Safety Car process that's giving us a very confusing period of the race. Villeneuve leads from Capello, Wurz and Premat. Panis and Collard lead the petrol-fuelled queue. In LMP2 Theys leads after another stop from van Merksteijn (who stays in the #34 car) with Zacchia third then Mike Newton and Fernando Rees. Kane is still in the pits. GT1 has Goueslard ahead of Kox with Enge still third and GT2 has Bruni leading Davison, Simonsen, Kaffer and Kelleners. Villeneuve gets a rocketship getaway as Capello blasts by three cars before Eau Rouge, the Audi looking to chase down the 1997 F1 World Champion. Zacchia is right on the tail of the #34 Porsche for second in LMP2. Jonny Kane meanwhile was hit from behind through Les Combes and the #76 Porsche's problem was a broken throttle cable (now fixed). The Team Bruichladdich Radical meanwhile has a broken manifold, the team still fixing that problem and the car way, way down the field. The first #10 Charouz Lola problem was battery-related. Zacchia grabs second spot as Villeneuve pulls away from Capello, now 6 seconds ahead. Fernando Rees is now fourth in LMP2 as Mike Newton fends off Lahaye for fifth. Zacchia is surging through the traffic and grabs the class lead from Theys. Positions at 2 Hours: Pos N° Team Drivers Car Class Laps
1 7 Team Peugeot Total GENE Marc MINASSIAN Nicolas VILLENEUVE Jacques Peugeot 908 Hdi-FAP LMP1 ==51==
2 1 Audi Sport Team Joest CAPELLO Rinaldo McNISH Allan Audi R10 TDI LMP1 2.269
3 8 Team Peugeot Total LAMY Pedro SARRAZIN Stephane WURZ Alexander Peugeot 908 Hdi-FAP LMP1 10.093
4 2 Audi Sport Team Joest PREMAT Alexandre ROCKENFELLER Mike Audi R10 TDI LMP1 23.857
5 6 Team Oreca Matmut PANIS Olivier LAPIERRE Nicolas Courage-Oreca Judd LMP1 ==49==
6 16 Pescarolo Sport COLLARD Emmanuel BOULLION Jean-Christophe Pescarolo Judd LMP1 1:49.110
7 27 Horag Racing LIENHARD Fredy THEYS Didier LAMMERS Jan Porsche RS Spyder LMP2 1:53.631
8 34 Van Merksteijn Motorsport VAN MERKSTEIJN Peter VERSTAPPEN Jos Porsche RS Spyder LMP2 1:55.319
9 33 Speedy Racing Team Sebah BELICCHI Andrea POMPIDOU Xavier ZACCHIA Steve Lola Judd LMP2 1:58.594
10 17 Pescarolo Sport PRIMAT Harold TINSEAU Christophe Pescarolo Judd LMP1 2:11.694
11 18 Rollcentre Racing BARBOSA Joao ICKX Vanina FORSTEN Mikael Pescarolo Judd LMP1 2:12.303
12 25 RML ERDOS Tommy NEWTON Mike Lola MG LMP2 ==48==
13 32 Barazi Epsilon BARAZI Juan VERGERS Michael REES Fernando Zytek 07S LMP2 3.017
14 20 Epsilon Euskadi BURGUENO Angel DE CASTRO Miguel-Angel Epsilon Euskadi Judd LMP1 14.082
15 35 Saulnier Racing RAGUES Pierre LAHAYE Matthieu Pescarolo Judd LMP2 14.582
16 41 Trading Performance OJJEH Karim GOSSELIN Claude-Yves SCHROYEN Julien Zytek 07S LMP2 24.619
17 31 Team Essex ELGAARD Casper NIELSEN John Porsche RS Spyder LMP2 ==47==
18 4 Saulnier Racing NICOLET Jacques FAGGIONATO Marc HEIN Richard Pescarolo Judd LMP1 1:35.340
19 15 Creation AIM HALL Stuart KERR Robbie Creation - Aim LMP1 1:48.047
20 72 Luc Alphand Aventures ALPHAND Luc MOREAU Guillaume GOUESLARD Patrice Corvette C6.R LMGT1 ==46==
21 55 IPB Spartak Racing RUSINOV Roman KOX Peter Lamborghini LMGT1 ==45==
22 96 Virgo Motorsport BELL Robert BRUNI Gianmaria Ferrari F430 GT LMGT2 1:56.299
23 77 Team Felbermayr-Proton LIEB Marc DAVISON Alex Porsche 997 GT3 RSR LMGT2 2:00.275
24 91 Farnbacher Racing NIELSEN Lars Erik WESTBROOK Richard SIMONSEN Allan Porsche 997 GT3 RSR LMGT2 2:15.033
25 59 Team Modena GARCIA Antonio ENGE Tomas Aston Martin DBR9 LMGT1 ==44==
26 90 Farnbacher Racing EHRET Pierre KAFFER Pierre Ferrari F430 GT LMGT2 2:28.127
27 85 Snoras Spyker Squadron DUMBRECK Peter KELLENERS Ralf VASILIEV Alexei Spyker C8 Laviolette LMGT2 2:31.877
28 88 Team Felbermayr-Proton RIED Christian FELBERMAYR HJr FELBERMAYR HSr Porsche 997 GT3 RSR LMGT2 ==43==
29 95 James Watt Automotive DANIELS Paul PALTTALA Markus SUGDEN Tim Porsche 997 GT3 RSR LMGT2 0.656
30 94 Speedy Racing Team CHIESA Andrea LEUENBERGER Benjamin ALEXANDER-DAVID Iradj Spyker C8 Laviolette LMGT2 2.447
31 98 JMB Racing KUTEMANN Peter BASSO Maurice DAOUDI Stephane Ferrari F430 GT LMGT2 15.973
32 75 Imsa Performance Matmut BALANDRAS Richard LECOURT Michel Porsche 997 GT3 RSR LMGT2 1:53.598
33 99 JMB Racing AUCOTT Ben FERTE Alain Ferrari F430 GT LMGT2 2:03.818
34 45 Embassy Racing HUGHES Warren KANE Jonny WF01 Zytek LMP2 ==42==
35 61 Strakka Racing HARDMAN Peter LEVENTIS Nick Aston Martin DBR9 LMGT1 ==41==
36 76 Imsa Performance Matmut NARAC Raymond LIETZ Richard Porsche 997 GT3 RSR LMGT2 1:49.743
37 40 Quifel ASM Team AMARAL Miguel PLA Olivier Lola AER LMP2 ==35==
38 3 Scuderia Lavaggi LAVAGGI Giovanni Lavaggi AER LMP1 6:24.564
39 10 Charouz Racing System MUCKE Stefan CHAROUZ Jan Lola Aston Martin LMP1 ==34==
40 73 Luc Alphand Aventures BLANCHEMAIN Jean-Luc DUMEZ Sebastien
LEMERET Stephane Corvette C6.R LMGT1 ==26==
41 26 Bruichladdich Radical ROSTAN Marc PETERSEN Jens LUEDERS Jan-Dirk Radical AER LMP2 ==24== The #8 Peugeot (Alex Wurz at the wheel) is off the circuit after an incident involving one of the Spykers (Kelleners in #85) at Turn 12. There is heavy rear end damage to the 908 and the Safety Car is scrambled - Dindo Capello also pits with rear end damage and a right rear puncture. The #8 Peugeot is certainly out of the race and the #1 Audi is pushed into the garage; was there contact or did the Audi run over debris? Villeneuve takes a quick fuel stop - Wurz is fine. Olivier Panis inherits third as the #1 Audi is still in the pits, Collard is fourth Theys has retaken the LMP2 lead in what is developing as an excellent scrap, the leading trio now fifth, sixth and seventh overall. The #32 Zytek and #25 RML MG Lola have both suffered delays, the Zytek with steering problems. Kelleners continues after pitting. Kox leads GT1 as the #72 Corvette pits. Capello rejoins in tenth position.
The incident which ended the race for the #8 Peugeot happened as Wurz attempted to close down on Capello. The Audi got by the #85 Spyker and the Peugeot looked to follow through under braking, an impact between the 908 and the Spyker span the Peugeot into Capello - race over for Wurz, big delay for Capello.
A quick and harmless spin for Vanina Ickx, running ninth in the Rollcentre Pescarolo allows Capello to grab ninth as a battle royal develops for the GT2 lead. Lieb closing in on Bell and the pair lap nose-to-tail for several laps before the Safety Car is mobilised again as the JWA Porsche, running eighth in class, spins but recovers.
Premat meanwhile has been doing a great job since the last Safey Car, taking 4 seconds out of the lead gap (13 down to around 9). Capello has grabbed one of his lost laps back by passing Villeneuve. With a seemingly pointlessly long SC period, the main protagonists pit - Gene into the lead car, Premat 28 seconds back in the queue Panis is third, Zacchia fourth and Theys fifth. Capello pits but rejoins as the Safety Car passes the pit exit! He rejoins after the much delayed #45 Embassy WF01 - 4 cars back in the train; did he pass a red light at the end of the pitlane? Yes he did! The Lamborghini has retained the GT1 lead thanks to the Safety Car, Peter Kox staying aboard. As the Safety Car is withdrawn (finally!) the gap 1-2 is down to 5 seconds, Gene to Premat with Capello ahead of the #2 Audi on the road. Gene extends the lead to over 8 seconds after the first flying lap as Team Essex get a 3 minute stop-go penalty, presumably for the pre-race contact with the #46 Embassy car. Lieb gets by Bell in GT2 as the Safety Car is withdrawn
Hour 3 Positions: Pos N° Team Drivers Car Class Laps
1 7 Team Peugeot Total GENE Marc MINASSIAN Nicolas VILLENEUVE Jacques Peugeot 908 Hdi-FAP LMP1 ==76==
2 2 Audi Sport Team Joest PREMAT Alexandre ROCKENFELLER Mike Audi R10 TDI LMP1 28.617
3 6 Team Oreca Matmut PANIS Olivier LAPIERRE Nicolas Courage-Oreca Judd LMP1 ==75==
4 33 Speedy Racing Team Sebah BELICCHI Andrea POMPIDOU Xavier ZACCHIA Steve Lola Judd LMP2 ==74==
5 27 Horag Racing LIENHARD Fredy THEYS Didier LAMMERS Jan Porsche RS Spyder LMP2 29.705
6 17 Pescarolo Sport PRIMAT Harold TINSEAU Christophe Pescarolo Judd LMP1 50.076
7 34 Van Merksteijn Motorsport VAN MERKSTEIJN Peter VERSTAPPEN Jos Porsche RS Spyder LMP2 1:32.332
8 16 Pescarolo Sport COLLARD Emmanuel BOULLION Jean-Christophe Pescarolo Judd LMP1 1:33.205
9 1 Audi Sport Team Joest CAPELLO Rinaldo McNISH Allan Audi R10 TDI LMP1 ==73==
10 18 Rollcentre Racing BARBOSA Joao ICKX Vanina FORSTEN Mikael Pescarolo Judd LMP1 1:09.316
11 31 Team Essex ELGAARD Casper NIELSEN John Porsche RS Spyder LMP2 2:41.170
12 20 Epsilon Euskadi BURGUENO Angel DE CASTRO Miguel-Angel Epsilon Euskadi Judd LMP1 2:45.800
13 41 Trading Performance OJJEH Karim GOSSELIN Claude-Yves SCHROYEN Julien Zytek 07S LMP2 2:48.865
14 35 Saulnier Racing RAGUES Pierre LAHAYE Matthieu Pescarolo Judd LMP2 ==72==
15 4 Saulnier Racing NICOLET Jacques FAGGIONATO Marc HEIN Richard Pescarolo Judd LMP1 ==71==
16 15 Creation AIM HALL Stuart KERR Robbie Creation - Aim LMP1 31.092
17 55 IPB Spartak Racing RUSINOV Roman KOX Peter Lamborghini LMGT1 ==70==
18 72 Luc Alphand Aventures ALPHAND Luc MOREAU Guillaume GOUESLARD Patrice Corvette C6.R LMGT1 1:32.994
19 96 Virgo Motorsport BELL Robert BRUNI Gianmaria Ferrari F430 GT LMGT2 ==68==
20 77 Team Felbermayr-Proton LIEB Marc DAVISON Alex Porsche 997 GT3 RSR LMGT2 0.662
21 59 Team Modena GARCIA Antonio ENGE Tomas Aston Martin DBR9 LMGT1 8.148
22 91 Farnbacher Racing NIELSEN Lars Erik WESTBROOK Richard SIMONSEN Allan Porsche 997 GT3 RSR LMGT2 1:28.119
23 90 Farnbacher Racing EHRET Pierre KAFFER Pierre Ferrari F430 GT LMGT2 1:31.133
24 88 Team Felbermayr-Proton RIED Christian FELBERMAYR HJr FELBERMAYR HSr Porsche 997 GT3 RSR LMGT2 ==67==
25 98 JMB Racing KUTEMANN Peter BASSO Maurice DAOUDI Stephane Ferrari F430 GT LMGT2 1:10.523
26 94 Speedy Racing Team CHIESA Andrea LEUENBERGER Benjamin ALEXANDER-DAVID Iradj Spyker C8 Laviolette LMGT2 ==66==
27 99 JMB Racing AUCOTT Ben FERTE Alain Ferrari F430 GT LMGT2 12.662
28 95 James Watt Automotive DANIELS Paul PALTTALA Markus SUGDEN Tim Porsche 997 GT3 RSR LMGT2 ==65==
29 61 Strakka Racing HARDMAN Peter LEVENTIS Nick Aston Martin DBR9 LMGT1 ==64==
30 76 Imsa Performance Matmut NARAC Raymond LIETZ Richard Porsche 997 GT3 RSR LMGT2 2.991
31 85 Snoras Spyker Squadron DUMBRECK Peter KELLENERS Ralf VASILIEV Alexei Spyker C8 Laviolette LMGT2 ==61==
32 25 RML ERDOS Tommy NEWTON Mike Lola MG LMP2 ==59==
33 10 Charouz Racing System MUCKE Stefan CHAROUZ Jan Lola Aston Martin LMP1 1:28.791
34 32 Barazi Epsilon BARAZI Juan VERGERS Michael REES Fernando Zytek 07S LMP2 ==58==
35 8 Team Peugeot Total LAMY Pedro SARRAZIN Stephane WURZ Alexander Peugeot 908 Hdi-FAP LMP1 ==56==
36 3 Scuderia Lavaggi LAVAGGI Giovanni Lavaggi AER LMP1 ==52==
37 75 Imsa Performance Matmut BALANDRAS Richard LECOURT Michel Porsche 997 GT3 RSR LMGT2 ==49==
38 26 Bruichladdich Radical ROSTAN Marc PETERSEN Jens LUEDERS Jan-Dirk Radical AER LMP2 ==45==
39 45 Embassy Racing HUGHES Warren KANE Jonny WF01 Zytek LMP2 ==43==
40 40 Quifel ASM Team AMARAL Miguel PLA Olivier Lola AER LMP2 ==35==
41 73 Luc Alphand Aventures BLANCHEMAIN Jean-Luc DUMEZ Sebastien LEMERET Stephane Corvette C6.R LMGT1 ==26== | 
