LMS, Algarve - Hour 5 Report
Very Close In P1 & GT2

The Master of the Night, Tomas Enge, has greatly expanded the lead. Olivier Pla is back aboard the LM P2 leading ASM Ginetta and well clear of the pursuers. GT2 has closed up considerably with Garcia catching Bell. However, the No. 84 then makes a scheduled stop and drops to third. Narac, in the early leading Porsche, is now second in GT2. They had earlier lost time reattaching a problematic wheel cover. The Spyker, having a typically good but unexciting run, is next up.

Some may call this stability. Others may see the hand of solid strategy taking hold.

Stephane Salini became quite ill at the end of his stint in the WR. It appears to be exhaustion but he was taken away by the medics.

The No. 28 Courage is running again after a long time in the garage. The No. 43 Lucchini is running again (not retired as reported) after a long change to the damper. The GT2 Aston has definitely retired. The team has realized that the oil leak was more serious than first thought.

Some earlier incidents and issues; the No. 16 Pescarolo had much of its front bodywork changed in its early long stop. Meyrick’s gear selector problem would have likely brought the car into the pits anyway, whether or not he hit the other Audi.

We’re coming up on 90 minutes to go and Paul estimates that both leaders will be able to make it to the end with one stop. George Howard-Chappell has confirmed this.

It’s now 19.3 degrees (it was about 23 at race start) and some quick lapping is brewing. Giacomo Piccini has just set fastest lap in his car (No. 29 Racing Box Lola-Judd).

Tomas Enge seems to have slowed. It is late in his stint and the tires may be getting worn.

Boullion makes a stop with almost exactly one hour left.  It is for fuel only. However, Henri Pescarolo has told Harald Gallinis that they expect to have to take on a splash—true or a ploy? In any case, Enge has taken the lead.

JW