Le Mans 24 Hours, Hour 7

The #40 Race Performance Oreca has a straight on moment at Arnage but rejoins.

John Hindhaugh talking to David Richards hears that the AMR bodd is "On his way to a bar to drown his sorrows" and that he's "disappointed to have let down people who have come here to see us and to those that have been involved in trying to get this programme delivered."

Tom Kristensen told DSC that while there was "disappointment that they had a really competitive car and that the race is over the most important thing is that Allan is OK, the spectators are OK, the marshals are OK and the photographers are OK.  Allan is going to be very sore tomorrow, his chest is going to look like the Scottish flag!"

Lotus – everything pretty much going to plan, but John Hartshorne was back in the garage, with a problem at the back of the car:

“I was driving along and heard a really loud banging noise.  At first I thought it was something around the cockpit, but it turns out an exhaust bracket has gone. We’ve got our package so that the engine should last well and it’s about staying out there rather than any heroics – we just don’t have the pace anyway. That said, I’m quicker now than I was in practice, which is a bit unusual.”

Dominik Farnbacher

"We tried double stinting the tyres but they were dropping off too much so we’re back on single stints. If it’s a bit wet tomorrow that could be good for us."

"We lost almost a lap under the yellows, which was a shame because we were running well. Then we changed our ride height a bit which cost us time too. Everybody with a 458 is learning here – the car has never done a 24 hour race, but Ferrari simulated more than 24 hours on a T-car. The race is different of course. We feel we are lacking a little bit on power to be honest – we can’t match the Corvettes and certainly not the BMW’s, which are very strong."

Jonny Kane

"My opening stint was a bit like Spa – in the mix, but a tiny bit shy on straight line speed. I had a good dice with Tom Kimber Smith and got past, and whoever was in the pink and black Oak car was fairly difficult every time I got along side him. Then I had a half spin on cold tyres under the yellow, lost a few places but no real track time."

"We’re triple stinting tyres, the track’s rubbered in a bit now; it wasn’t great at the beginning. We’re in the mix time wise, Premat was doing low .45’s and we were able to do a ’42. We’ll run our pace but push when we can."

At Gulf AMR Fabien Giroix triple stinted and built up a minute's advantage. Mike Wainwight's times are coming along, but Christian Reid passed him for the class lead during his first stint.

Chris Buncombe

"Sam did the first section and made the most of the safety car, which put us 5th. He double stinted and Simon got in, who then went off at Indianapolis. That damaged the rear corner and rear wing, so we changed those and the boot lid and we’re back out."

"I’m getting in for the first time soon, carrying on with the doubles, but I’m expecting to run triple stints through the night."

The Oak Racing #15 Pescarolo's earlier problem was power steering related - its cost the team dearly and the car is still pitbound as we write, the last current runner listed.

The #89 Farnbacher Hankook Ferrari 458 is slow on track from 8th in class Left rear puncture and subsequent rear body damage whilst the #88 Felbermayer car is in the garage, a problem for the team after flying high in the last couple of hours.

David Robertson explains to Nick Damon that the Robertson Ford has had issues with the paddleshift so the team have disconnected it and reinstalled their sequential shift system.

21:27 - James Rossiter takes the #65 Lotus into the top 40 at the expense of the pitbound Hankook Ferrari.

21:30 - Blown Turbo (suspected) for RML - #36 into the garage from 5th.

Al Faisal is in the gravel on his out lap in the #88 Porsche - it's towed out and continues.

21:37 - Rockenfeller pits from 4th right on the tail of Lamy - The Audi squad get #1 rolling first and take the place.

The #7 car seems to have a repeating problem with the door, its flapping open and the team are not allowed to duct tape it shut at the next pit stop - Gene seems to be struggling a little at the moment - Lotterer leads again after the latest pit stops.

Shaun Lynn has a moment at the Ford Chicane and snogs the barrier (a bit more vigourous than a kiss but without commitment!)

Moments later the #63 Proton Porsche is in the gravel at Mulsanne - Incidents are apparently happening in numerical order - Martin Rich currently aboard the #64 Lotus is going to have to be careful.

RML are back on track after a 15 minute turbo change.

Lotterer's latest stop puts the #2 car ahead of the #7 Peugeot before Gene pits, the Peugeot's times are drifting a little at present.

Kimber Smith un-laps himself from class leader Hallyday - very rock and roll.

21:57 Jota are a confirmed retirement - Engine failure - the fifth retirement.

The Hope Hybrid rejoins, but not really as quick as they want.

And once again an open door on the Peugeot #7.