Le Mans Series – Barcelona – Hour 1
We Have A Race!
© Janos Wimpffen

The major pre-race development has been the non-start of the JWA Aston Martin and of the No. 94 Speedy Spyker. There are major engine problems with the English car. Aidan Watt reports that the car may still emerge from the garage, but of course its competitive position is no longer at a good Vantage. That is, if it is not excluded before having the opportunity to start.

The Spyker lost a wheel on the reconnaissance lap en route to the grid. It is stranded out on the circuit and the crew is attending to it. It has already missed the call to the grid. So we are minus the Vantage and one of the Laviolettes, two new models off to a troubled start.

A very encouraging crowd of several thousand (5K ?) has filtered into the main grandstand, with good smatterings of folks in the other enclosures. Peugeot has promoted the race in Spain and the crowd is nice to see given that Sr. Alonso is busy at the moment down in Bahrain and the Mosley-less F1 event is on television.

The WR also had a bit of trouble starting from its lowly spot but finally got moving ahead of the following course cars. The pace lap was somewhat agonizingly slow and a bit sloppy. McNish got the jump on the start and was able to wrest second from Minassian on the run to Revolt Elf. Chiesa made it to the pits with the Spyker. It briefly went into the garage and remerged with repairs to the floor after a disc had broken on the original out lap.

Mücke briefly rose as high as third at the start (great stuff) before Minassian easily retook the spot and headed off after McNish. Meanwhile, Lamy shot into a fairly clear lead that built to nearly 7 seconds by the 15-minute mark. These four ran in a tight pack, followed by the slightest of gaps to the other Audi of Premat, back in fourth place, then Panis in the multi-colored Courage-Oreca next.

Verstappen seemed to lose his early head of steam and was under pressure from Elgaard. Meanwhile, a truly stirring battle for second place began to take shape. Minassian steadily chased McNish, at one point splitting Forsten in the JWA Porsche. Further down field Lieb led GT2 but was being hounded by Bell. In the LM P2 contest Pompidou passed Elgaard for second in class.

The No. 88 Felbermayr Porsche was one of the first stop—in with a broken right rear wheel. Lavaggi also made the Lavaggi’s second stop. Bouchut went straight on unassisted with the Saleen.

The battle for second heated up again after a few stable laps—when we mean stable we don’t mean easy—Minassian was all over McNish, but the Audi driver seemed to have a bit of an edge in traffic and the Peugeot seemed to not challenge while some of the heavy lapping was going—but the Peugeot was not going away either.

In GT1 Garcia had some five seconds over Moreau and Bell had a slightly lesser lead over Lieb in GT2. There were good place battles in GT2, particularly in 5th and 6th.

Daoudi very slightly balked McNish coming onto the front straight and it was enough for Minassian to squeeze by, almost on the verge by the pit wall. But then at the end of the long straight McNish was able to power by and outbrake the Peugeot—great stuff! The Audi vs. Peugeot at last comes to life!

The Kruse entry was another to make an early stop—two in fact—cooling problems.

Lap 15 and Minassian returned the favor on McNish at the end of the front straight, taking second place.

The GT2 battle became a bit unglued as Bell made an unscheduled stop after suffering a front puncture from being tagged by the Aston Martin. This left Lieb with a six second lead in GT2 over Westbrook.

At 30minutes here are the top 10:
No. 8
No. 7 –6 seconds
No. 1, -5 seconds [Minassian had begun to pull away]
No. 10, -8 seconds
No. 2, -3 seconds
No. 6, -2 seconds
No. 16, -8 seconds
No. 34, -2 seconds
No. 14, -4 seconds
No. 33, -6 seconds

GT1, 59 with a 2 second lead over 72

GT2, 77 over 91 by 6 seconds and another half second to 76.

Francioni has made an unscheduled stop and then the overall gap closes as Minassian began to catch Lamy.

Positions At About 45 Minutes (which give an accurate picture of comparative speeds/lap times, ahead of the first round of pit stops)
1 8 Team Peugeot Total LAMY Pedro SARRAZIN Stephane Peugeot 908Hdi-FAP LMP1 ==25== 1:34.563
2 7 Team Peugeot Total GENE Marc MINASSIAN Nicolas Peugeot 908 Hdi-FAP LMP1 0.422 1:34.969
3 1 Audi Sport Team Joest CAPELLO Rinaldo McNISH Allan Audi R10 TDI LMP1 11.922 1:35.625
4 10 Charouz Racing System MUCKE Stefan CHAROUZ Jan Lola Aston Martin LMP1 20.391 1:35.531
5 2 Audi Sport Team Joest PREMAT Alexandre ROCKENFELLER Mike Audi R10 TDI LMP1 35.156 1:36.062
6 6 Team Oreca Matmut PANIS Olivier LAPIERRE Nicolas Courage-Oreca Judd LMP1 43.672 1:36.750
7 16 Pescarolo Sport COLLARD Emmanuel BOULLION Jean-Christophe Pescarolo Judd LMP1 53.063 1:37.625
8 34 Van Merksteijn Motorsport VAN MERKSTEIJN Peter VERSTAPPEN Jos Porsche RS Spyder LMP2 53.235 1:37.531
9 14 Creation AIM CAMPBELLWALTER Jamie HALL Stuart ORTIZ Felipe Creation Aim LMP1 1:02.938 1:37.516
10 33 Speedy Racing Team Sebah BELICCHI Andrea POMPIDOU Xavier ZACCHIA Steve Lola Judd LMP2 1:06.344 1:37.688
11 31 Team Essex ELGAARD Casper NIELSEN John Porsche RS Spyder LMP2 1:15.203 1:37.985
12 17 Pescarolo Sport PRIMAT Harold TINSEAU Christophe PescaroloJudd LMP1 ==24== 1:38.141
13 27 Horag Racing LIENHARD Fredy THEYS Didier LAMMERS Jan Porsche RS Spyder LMP2 2.765 1:38.641
14 18 Rollcentre Racing BARBOSA Joao ICKX Vanina SHORT Martin Pescarolo Judd LMP1 15.609 1:39.313
15 5 Team Oreca Matmut ORTELLI Stephane AYARI Soheil Courage-Oreca Judd LMP1 21.703 1:39.297
16 20 Epsilon Euskadi BURGUENO Angel DE CASTRO Miguel-Angel Epsilon Euskadi Judd LMP1 29.828 1:39.375
17 32 Barazi Epsilon BARAZI Juan VERGERS Michael Zytek 07S LMP2 30.218 1:39.296
18 40 Quifel ASM Team AMARAL Miguel PLA Olivier Lola AER LMP2 30.500 1:39.610
19 45 Embassy Racing HUGHES Warren HABERFIELD Mario WF01 Zytek LMP2 33.890 1:40.031
20 19 Chamberlain Synergy EVANS Gareth BERRIDGE Bob Lola AER LMP1 42.203 1:40.297
21 25 RML ERDOS Tommy NEWTON Mike Lola MG LMP2 42.781 1:39.531
22 46 Embassy Racing KANE Jonny FOSTER Joey WF01 Zytek LMP2 52.218 1:40.312
23 35 Saulnier Racing RAGUES Pierre LAHAYE Matthieu Pescarolo Judd LMP2 1:13.187 1:40.688
24 4 Saulnier Racing NICOLET Jacques FAGGIONATO Marc HEIN Richard Pescarolo Judd LMP1 1:26.140 1:40.266
25 26 Bruichladdich Radical ROSTAN Marc PETERSEN Jens LUEDERS Jan-Dirk RadicalAER LMP2 ==23== 1:41.859
26 41 Trading Performance OJJEH Karim GOSSELIN Claude-Yves SCHROYEN Julien Zytek 07S LMP2 25.032 1:42.797
27 59 Team Modena GARCIA Antonio ENGE Tomas Aston Martin DBR9 LMGT1 1:10.328 1:45.672
28 72 Luc Alphand Aventures ALPHAND Luc MOREAU Guillaume GOUESLARD Patrice Corvette C6.R LMGT1 1:18.610 1:45.766
29 55 IPB Spartak Racing RUSINOV Roman KOX Peter LamborghiniMurcielago LMGT1 ==22== 1:46.734
30 50 Larbre Competition MAKOWIECKI Frederic BORNHAUSER Patrick BOUCHUT Christophe Saleen S7R LMGT1 7.546 1:46.875
31 37 WR / Salini SALINI Stephane SALINI Philippe ROUSSEL Patrice WR Zytek LMP2 37.390 1:47.109
32 77 Team Felbermayr-Proton LIEB Marc DAVISON Alex Porsche 997 GT3 RSR LMGT2 1:16.671 1:50.781
33 91 Farnbacher Racing NIELSEN Lars Erik WESTBROOK Richard SIMONSEN Allan Porsche 997 GT3 RSR LMGT2 1:26.406 1:51.313
34 76 Imsa Performance Matmut NARAC Raymond LIETZ RIchard Porsche 997 GT3 RSR LMGT2 1:27.453 1:51.343
35 30 Racing Box DIDAIO Marco FRANCIONI Filippo SAVOLDI Mirco Lucchini Judd LMP2 1:29.406 1:45.532
36 90 Farnbacher Racing EHRET Pierre KAFFER Pierre BELTOISE Anthony Ferrari F430 GT LMGT2 1:37.890 1:51.672
37 73 Luc Alphand Aventures BLANCHEMAIN Jean-Luc DUMEZ Sebastien BERVILLE Roland Corvette C6.R LMGT1 1:41.906 1:49.313
38 99 JMB Racing AUCOTT Ben DAOUDI Stephane Ferrari F430 GT LMGT2 1:42.953 1:51.844
39 75 Imsa Performance Matmut BALANDRAS Richard LECOURT Michel BELLOC Jean-Philippe Porsche 997 GT3RSR LMGT2 ==21== 1:51.547
40 96 Virgo Motorsport BELL Robert Ferrari F430 GT LMGT2 31.250 1:49.843
41 85 Snoras Spyker Squadron DUMBRECK Peter KELLENERS Ralf VASILIEV Alexei Spyker C8 Laviolette GT2R LMGT2 35.203 1:52.734
42 95 James Watt Automotive DANIELS Paul PALTALLA Markus FORTSEN Mikael Porsche 997 GT3 RSR LMGT2 1:05.391 1:53.188
43 98 JMB Racing BASSO Maurice McCORMICK Bo CASADEI Mauro Ferrari F430GT LMGT2 ==20== 1:57.609
44 3 Scuderia Lavaggi LAVAGGI Giovanni Lavaggi AER LMP1 1:14.563 1:42.390
45 88 Team Felbermayr-Proton RIED Christian FELBERMAYR Horst Jr FELBERMAYR Horst Sr Porsche 997 GT3RSR LMGT2 ==19== 1:53.234
46 94 Speedy Racing Team CHIESA Andrea LEUENBERGER Benjamin Spyker C8 LavioletteGT2R LMGT2 ==16== 1:53.703
47 44 Kruse Schiller Motorsport de POURTALES Jean NODA Hideki LolaMazda LMP2 ==14== 1:40.156

At 45 minutes we have our first incident as Petersen spins the Radical at Revolt Seat that begins one of the downward sections. He’s stranded across the track. Meanwhile Theys suffers a massive front right puncture just past pit exit and there are shards of bodywork scattered about. The two incidents prompt the intervention of the safety car.

Half the field pits immediately, Lamy is the first in and thus Minassian leads a lap. Panis then led because he had not pitted. Meanwhile both Peugeots swap drivers while McNish and the others stay aboard. The safety car failed to pick up Panis and McNish took over the lead. The green comes just past the hour mark.

The WR, the No. 94 Spyker, and the Epsilon all made long stops during the yellow. Bruni has taken over the Virgo Ferrari after the team’s scheduled stop under yellow.

Positions At Almost 1 Hour (the last figure for each car is elapsed time at pit stops - so #6 has yet to stop, and the #1 Audi made up time at the first stop)
1 6 Team Oreca Matmut PANIS Olivier LAPIERRE Nicolas Courage-OrecaJudd LMP1 ==32== 1:36.750 0.000
2 1 Audi Sport Team Joest CAPELLO Rinaldo McNISH Allan Audi R10 TDI LMP1 4.688 1:35.625 59.346
3 8 Team Peugeot Total LAMY Pedro SARRAZIN Stephane Peugeot 908 Hdi-FAP LMP1 5.313 1:34.563 1:28.204
4 7 Team Peugeot Total GENE Marc MINASSIAN Nicolas Peugeot 908 Hdi-FAP LMP1 6.110 1:34.969 1:14.564
5 10 Charouz Racing System MUCKE Stefan CHAROUZ Jan Lola Aston Martin LMP1 17.906 1:35.531 1:10.708
6 2 Audi Sport Team Joest PREMAT Alexandre ROCKENFELLER Mike Audi R10 TDI LMP1 25.344 1:36.062 1:05.535
7 14 Creation AIM CAMPBELLWALTER Jamie HALL Stuart ORTIZ Felipe Creation Aim LMP1 38.047 1:37.516 1:17.706
8 31 Team Essex ELGAARD Casper NIELSEN John Porsche RS Spyder LMP2 42.860 1:37.985 51.204
9 34 Van Merksteijn Motorsport VAN MERKSTEIJN Peter VERSTAPPEN Jos Porsche RSSpyder LMP2 ==31== 1:37.531 1:00.372
10 16 Pescarolo Sport COLLARD Emmanuel BOULLION Jean-Christophe Pescarolo Judd LMP1 18.437 1:37.625 1:15.017
11 33 Speedy Racing Team Sebah BELICCHI Andrea POMPIDOU Xavier ZACCHIA Steve Lola Judd LMP2 29.609 1:37.688 1:27.461
12 17 Pescarolo Sport PRIMAT Harold TINSEAU Christophe Pescarolo Judd LMP1 31.781 1:38.141 1:17.261
13 32 Barazi Epsilon BARAZI Juan VERGERS Michael Zytek 07S LMP2 41.109 1:39.296 1:04.019
14 40 Quifel ASM Team AMARAL Miguel PLA Olivier Lola AER LMP2 41.984 1:39.610 1:04.278
15 18 Rollcentre Racing BARBOSA Joao ICKX Vanina SHORT Martin Pescarolo Judd LMP1 46.031 1:39.313 1:26.724
16 5 Team Oreca Matmut ORTELLI Stephane AYARI Soheil Courage-Oreca Judd LMP1 48.578 1:39.297 1:27.823
17 35 Saulnier Racing RAGUES Pierre LAHAYE Matthieu PescaroloJudd LMP2 ==30== 1:40.688 1:21.019
18 19 Chamberlain Synergy EVANS Gareth BERRIDGE Bob Lola AER LMP1 56.265 1:40.297 2:05.696
19 25 RML ERDOS Tommy NEWTON Mike Lola MG LMP2 1:22.297 1:39.531 1:04.069
20 4 Saulnier Racing NICOLET Jacques FAGGIONATO Marc HEIN Richard Pescarolo Judd LMP1 2:10.703 1:40.266 1:28.224
21 46 Embassy Racing KANE Jonny FOSTER Joey WF01 Zytek LMP2 2:11.422 1:40.312 2:28.652
22 45 Embassy Racing HUGHES Warren HABERFIELD Mario WF01 Zytek LMP2 2:19.297 1:40.031 3:03.022
23 41 Trading Performance OJJEH Karim GOSSELIN Claude-Yves SCHROYEN Julien Zytek 07S LMP2 2:34.828 1:42.797 1:05.941
24 20 Epsilon Euskadi BURGUENO Angel DE CASTRO Miguel-Angel Epsilon EuskadiJudd LMP1 ==29== 1:39.375 0.000
25 59 Team Modena GARCIA Antonio ENGE Tomas Aston Martin DBR9 LMGT1 3:55.610 1:45.672 1:17.159
26 72 Luc Alphand Aventures ALPHAND Luc MOREAU Guillaume GOUESLARD Patrice Corvette C6.R LMGT1 4:15.657 1:45.766 1:20.436
27 55 IPB Spartak Racing RUSINOV Roman KOX Peter Lamborghini Murcielago LMGT1 4:57.235 1:46.734 1:18.859
28 30 Racing Box DIDAIO Marco FRANCIONI Filippo SAVOLDI Mirco Lucchini Judd LMP2 5:04.766 1:45.532 1:26.127
29 50 Larbre Competition MAKOWIECKI Frederic BORNHAUSER Patrick BOUCHUT Christophe Saleen S7R LMGT1 5:22.563 1:46.875 1:28.540
30 27 Horag Racing LIENHARD Fredy THEYS Didier LAMMERS Jan Porsche RS Spyder LMP2 5:23.219 1:38.641 5:04.511
31 76 Imsa Performance Matmut NARAC Raymond LIETZ RIchard Porsche 997 GT3RSR LMGT2 ==28== 1:51.343 1:13.963
32 91 Farnbacher Racing NIELSEN Lars Erik WESTBROOK Richard SIMONSEN Allan Porsche 997 GT3 RSR LMGT2 1:08.406 1:51.313 1:10.391
33 77 Team Felbermayr-Proton LIEB Marc DAVISON Alex Porsche 997 GT3 RSR LMGT2 1:08.718 1:50.781 1:20.450
34 75 Imsa Performance Matmut BALANDRAS Richard LECOURT Michel BELLOC Jean-Philippe Porsche 997 GT3 RSR LMGT2 1:46.593 1:51.547 0.000
35 73 Luc Alphand Aventures BLANCHEMAIN Jean-Luc DUMEZ Sebastien BERVILLE Roland Corvette C6.R LMGT1 1:48.421 1:49.313 0.000
36 90 Farnbacher Racing EHRET Pierre KAFFER Pierre BELTOISE Anthony Ferrari F430 GT LMGT2 2:17.843 1:51.672 1:08.093
37 99 JMB Racing AUCOTT Ben DAOUDI Stephane Ferrari F430 GT LMGT2 2:19.750 1:51.844 1:09.756
38 96 Virgo Motorsport BELL Robert Ferrari F430 GT LMGT2 2:21.984 1:49.843 2:04.788
39 85 Snoras Spyker Squadron DUMBRECK Peter KELLENERS Ralf VASILIEV Alexei Spyker C8 Laviolette GT2R LMGT2 2:25.281 1:52.734 1:14.769
40 37 WR / Salini SALINI Stephane SALINI Philippe ROUSSEL Patrice WRZytek LMP2 ==27== 1:47.109 0.000
41 95 James Watt Automotive DANIELS Paul PALTALLA Markus FORTSEN Mikael Porsche 997 GT3 RSR LMGT2 4:06.437 1:53.188 1:29.018
42 26 Bruichladdich Radical ROSTAN Marc PETERSEN Jens LUEDERS Jan-Dirk Radical AER LMP2 4:07.468 1:41.859 1:45.237
43 98 JMB Racing BASSO Maurice McCORMICK Bo CASADEI Mauro Ferrari F430 GT LMGT2 4:32.296 1:57.469 0.000
44 3 Scuderia Lavaggi LAVAGGI Giovanni Lavaggi AER LMP1 5:13.625 1:42.390 6:22.343
45 88 Team Felbermayr-Proton RIED Christian FELBERMAYR Horst Jr FELBERMAYR Horst Sr Porsche 997 GT3RSR LMGT2 ==26== 1:53.234 2:10.003
46 44 Kruse Schiller Motorsport de POURTALES Jean NODA Hideki LolaMazda LMP2 ==21== 1:40.156 17:00.661
47 94 Speedy Racing Team CHIESA Andrea LEUENBERGER Benjamin Spyker C8 LavioletteGT2R LMGT2 ==17== 1:53.703 9:19.555