2008 24 Hours of Le Mans

76th 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race 2007 2008 2009 thumbnail|right|Circuit de la Sarthe track thumb|right|230px|Allan McNish in the #2 Audi R10 TDI which won the 2008 24 Hours of Le Mans. thumb|Handprint's winners 2008 edition in the Hall of fame of Le Mans The 2008 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 76th Grand Prix of Endurance, taking place on 14–15 June 2008 at the Circuit de la Sarthe, Le Mans, France, organised by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO). The test day was on June 1. The race was attended by 258,000 spectators. http://uk.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idUKL1547272120080615 https://archive.today/20120730021022/http://uk.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idUKL1547272120080615 dead July 30, 2012 Kristensen takes eighth Le Mans win 2008-06-15 2008-09-06 Reuters The Audi team's progress and victory was documented in the 2008 film Truth in 24. Rule changes On 20 December 2007, the ACO confirmed the previously announced rule changes for the 2008 race and 2008 Le Mans Series season. Petrol engined Le Mans Prototype cars received a 3% larger air restrictor to increase power output and to balance performance between petrol and diesel engines. The performance difference between the LMP1 and LMP2 classes will be increased by decreasing LMP1 class' minimum weight 900 kg, the LMP2 class' minimum weight increased to 825 kg, and a reduction in the fuel capacity of LMP2 cars from 90 litres to 80 litres. The ACO also added rules regarding the types of engines and fuels which can be used. Production engines which meet the GT1 and GT2 class regulations can now be installed in LMP1 and LMP2 class cars respectively. The use of biofuels will also be allowed in the prototype categories, with petrol engines allowed to run 10% ethanol, and diesel teams allowed to use biodiesel. The GT1 and GT2 categories remained unchanged in the new rules.http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/actu/2007-12-20_GD_2505_gb.html ACO confirms regulation changes for 2008 Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) 2007-12-20 2008-01-20 https://web.archive.org/web/20080118154354/http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/actu/2007-12-20_GD_2505_gb.html 2008-01-18http://www.lemans.org/sport/sport/reglements/ressources/auto_2008/cdc_reglement_lmp_fr_gb_2008.pdf ACO Technical Regulations 2008 for Prototype "LM"P1 and "LM"P2 ACO 2007-12-20 2008-01-20 https://web.archive.org/web/20080625190107/http://www.lemans.org/sport/sport/reglements/ressources/auto_2008/cdc_reglement_lmp_fr_gb_2008.pdf 2008-06-25 Prior to the Le Mans Test Day, Audi announced that they would be the first team to adapt their cars to use 10% biodiesel as allowed by the new rules, with partner Shell developing a biomass to liquid fuel.http://www.audiusa.com/audi/us/en2/experience/motorsport/motorsport-news/Audi_R10_TDI_uses_Biofuel_of_the_next_generation_for_the_first_time_.html Audi R10 TDI on next generation Biofuel at Le Mans Audi Motorsport 30 May 2008 2008-06-08 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20081119043153/http://www.audiusa.com/audi/us/en2/experience/motorsport/motorsport-news/Audi_R10_TDI_uses_Biofuel_of_the_next_generation_for_the_first_time_.html 2008-11-19 Entries Automatic invitations Automatic entry to the 2008 24 Hours of Le Mans was granted to teams that had performed well in the previous year's 24 Hours of Le Mans, as well as the 2007 seasons of the American Le Mans Series, Le Mans Series, FIA GT Championship, and the Petit Le Mans. The official list of automatic invites was published by the ACO on 16 November 2007, http://www.lemans.org/sport/sport/actu/2007-11-16_GD_2492_fr.html 24 Heures du Mans 2008 : la liste des sélectionnés d'office Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) fr 16 November 2007 2007-11-18 https://web.archive.org/web/20080124112708/http://www.lemans.org/sport/sport/actu/2007-11-16_GD_2492_fr.html 2008-01-24 with confirmation of entries accepted by teams published on 18 January 2008. http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/actu/2008-01-18_GD_2515_gb.html Official invitations: 21 confirmations Automobile Club de l'Ouest 18 January 2008 2008-01-18 https://web.archive.org/web/20080121030619/http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/actu/2008-01-18_GD_2515_gb.html 2008-01-21 List of automatic invitations Team Reason Entered Note LMP1 DEU Audi Sport North America 1st in 2007 24 Hours of Le Mans FRA Team Peugeot Total 2nd in 2007 24 Hours of Le Mans FRA Team Peugeot Total 1st in 2007 Le Mans Series championship FRA Pescarolo Sport 2nd in 2007 Le Mans Series championship USA Audi Sport North America 1st in 2007 Petit Le Mans USA Autocon Motorsports 2nd in 2007 American Le Mans Series championship1 LMP2 USA Binnie Motorsports 1st in 2007 24 Hours of Le Mans Entry not taken FRA Barazi-Epsilon 2nd in 2007 24 Hours of Le Mans GBR Ray Mallock Ltd. 1st in 2007 Le Mans Series championship PRT Quifel ASM Team 2nd in 2007 Le Mans Series championship USA Penske Racing 1st in 2007 Petit Le Mans Entry not taken USA Penske Racing 1st in 2007 American Le Mans Series championship Entry not taken GT1 GBR Aston Martin Racing 1st in 2007 24 Hours of Le Mans USA Corvette Racing 2nd in 2007 24 Hours of Le Mans FRA Team Oreca 1st in 2007 Le Mans Series championship Entry not taken FRA Luc Alphand Aventures 2nd in 2007 Le Mans Series championship USA Corvette Racing 1st in 2007 Petit Le Mans None 2nd in 2007 American Le Mans Series championship2 DEU Vitaphone Racing 1st in 2007 FIA GT Championship Entry not taken3 ITA Scuderia Playteam Sarafree 2nd in 2007 FIA GT Championship Entry not taken GT2 FRA IMSA Performance Matmut 1st in 2007 24 Hours of Le Mans USA Risi Competizione 2nd in 2007 24 Hours of Le Mans link=United_Kingdom|alt=United Kingdom|class=mw-file-element|23x23px Virgo Motorsport 1st in 2007 Le Mans Series championship DEU Team Felbermayr-Proton 2nd in 2007 Le Mans Series championship USA Flying Lizard Motorsports 1st in 2007 Petit Le Mans USA Risi Competizione 1st in 2007 American Le Mans Series championship ITA Motorola AF Corse 1st in 2007 FIA GT Championship ITA BMS Scuderia Italia 2nd in 2007 FIA GT Championship 1. Due to Audi Sport North America already earning two entries, their third automatic entry was passed to the next team in the championship. 2. Due to Corvette Racing already earning two entries, their third automatic entry would have been passed to the next team in the championship. However, no team had run enough ALMS races to be counted towards the GT1 championship, leaving the invitation unassigned. 3. Vitaphone Racing initially turned down their automatic invitation due to their Maserati MC12 not complying with ACO rules. The team however reapplied for a legal Aston Martin DBR9 in the same class at a later date. Official entry list On 19 February, the ACO published their full list of fifty-five entries plus eight reserves, chosen from a total of 88 applications. http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/actu/2008-01-31_GD_2517_gb.html 24 Heures du Mans, a flood of entries! 88 for 55 places Automobile Club de l'Ouest 31 January 2008 2008-06-08 https://web.archive.org/web/20080314012853/http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/actu/2008-01-31_GD_2517_gb.html 2008-03-14 The fifty-five main entries were required to appear at the Le Mans test day in order to compete. http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/ressources/pdf/liste_invites_journee_test.pdf Test Day – List of the Competitors and Cars Invited to the Administrative Checking & Scrutineering Automobile Club de l'Ouest 19 February 2008 2008-02-19 https://web.archive.org/web/20080516210647/http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/ressources/pdf/liste_invites_journee_test.pdf May 16, 2008 dead http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/pages/engages_gb.html Entry List Automobile Club de l'Ouest 29 May 2008 2008-06-08 https://web.archive.org/web/20070607135302/http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/pages/engages_gb.html June 7, 2007 dead Reserve entries Eight cars were granted reserve entries. If any selected team from the main entry list withdrew, a reserve entry would take their place. On April 10, the #81 Tafel Racing Ferrari withdrew and was replaced by the #4 Saulnier Pescarolo-Judd. http://www.endurance-info.com/article.php?sid=5336&thold=0 24H Mans : La Ferrari du Tafel Racing forfait. La Pescarolo du Saulnier Racing invitée. Endurance-Info fr 10 April 2008 2008-04-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20110710193459/http://www.endurance-info.com/article.php?sid=5336&thold=0 2011-07-10 dead Although several teams withdrew their reserve entries, none of the remaining reserve entries were promoted to the primary entry list. On Tuesday, June 10, Racing Box's Lucchini-Judd failed official scrutineering and was withdrawn. http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/pages/som_articles_gb.html Lucchini Judd #30 Team Racing Box SRL – withdraw Automobile Club de l'Ouest 10 June 2008 2008-06-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20080601043844/http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/pages/som_articles_gb.html 2008-06-01 The first remaining reserve, Epsilon Euskadi's second entry, was allowed to take its place at the start of Wednesday qualifying. http://www.planetlemans.com/2008/06/10/its-officially-confirmed-the-second-epsilon-euskadi-is-in/ It's officially confirmed, the second Epsilon Euskadi is in!!!! Planet Le Mans 10 June 2008 2008-06-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20080614135718/http://www.planetlemans.com/2008/06/10/its-officially-confirmed-the-second-epsilon-euskadi-is-in/ 14 June 2008 live Test session thumb|right|200px|The #8 Peugeot 908 HDi FAP, driven by Stéphane Sarrazin, which set a 3:22.222 lap time during the test day Drivers, team, and equipment for fifty-five cars arrived at the Circuit de la Sarthe on June 1 to participate in a mandatory test session. Drivers who had not been to the circuit in the past three runnings of the 24 Hours, or had never participated before, were required to complete ten laps of the circuit during the session, http://www.planetlemans.com/2008/06/01/le-mans-test-day-times-at-930/ Le Mans test day – Times at 9:30 Planet Le Mans 1 June 2008 2008-06-08 while other drivers were allowed to concentrate on setting their cars up for the race two weeks away. Two sessions were held running four hours each, with an hour break for lunch. http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/actu/2008-06-01_CR_2985_gb.html The curtain rises on test day 2008 Automobile Club de l'Ouest 1 June 2008 2008-06-08 https://web.archive.org/web/20080604202339/http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/actu/2008-06-01_CR_2985_gb.html 2008-06-04 Rain dominated the weather during the two sessions, with the track drying out only for brief periods of time before heavy rains dampened the circuit once more. http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/actu/2008-06-01_CR_3055_gb.html Summary of test day Automobile Club de l'Ouest 1 June 2008 2008-06-08 https://web.archive.org/web/20080604065122/http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/actu/2008-06-01_CR_3055_gb.html 2008-06-04 Stéphane Sarrazin, in the #8 Peugeot, was able to set the fastest lap during a brief dry period in the second session, recording a time of 3:22.222. http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/chronos/pdf/jt/_Mans18h.pdf Journée Test 18 Heures Automobile Club de l'Ouest 1 June 2008 2008-06-08 https://web.archive.org/web/20081117091444/http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/chronos/pdf/jt/_Mans18h.pdf November 17, 2008 dead By the end of the test day, Sarrazin's time remained unbeaten, and was in fact nearly four and a half seconds ahead of the second fastest lap, set by the #9 Peugeot. Several hundredths of a second slower still was the #1 Audi, third fastest overall. The fastest car not running a diesel engine was the #17 Pescarolo, recording a time of 3:33.939, over eleven seconds behind the overall leader. In the LMP2 class, the five cars set lap times within three seconds of one another, the Van Merksteijn Motorsport Porsche setting a 3:42.191 lap time to lead the class and place fourteenth overall in the standings. The other Porsche RS Spyder of Team Essex was second fastest, followed by the Barazi-Epsilon Zytek in third. The Grand Touring categories were led by the previous year's winner in GT1 class, the factory Aston Martin squad. The #009 DBR9 set a lap time of 3:53.531, fast enough for 25th place overall. Larbre Compétition's Saleen set the second fastest lap in the class, nearly two seconds behind. The two factory Corvettes were third and fourth, with the #64 team a few tenths faster than the #63. For the GT2 class, American teams lead the session. Risi Competizione's #82 Ferrari set a 4:05.561 lap time, only three one thousandths of a second ahead of the Flying Lizard Porsche. BMS Scuderia Italia's Ferrari completed the top three in the class, a second slower than the top two. During the eight hours of testing, practice had to be halted four times for accidents around the circuit. During the first session, the JMB Ferrari spun and hit a wall at Arnage, requiring it to be towed from the track. http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/actu/2008-06-01_CR_3014_gb.html Red flag after #99 Ferrari spins Automobile Club de l'Ouest 1 June 2008 2008-06-08 https://web.archive.org/web/20080604202414/http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/actu/2008-06-01_CR_3014_gb.html 2008-06-04 The Ferrari did however return to the track several hours later after repairs. http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/actu/2008-06-01_CR_3034_gb.html Big accident for Peugeot 908 HDi FAP #7 : Red flag Automobile Club de l'Ouest 1 June 2008 2008-06-08 https://web.archive.org/web/20080604073542/http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/actu/2008-06-01_CR_3034_gb.html 2008-06-04 Shortly after the beginning of the second test session, the Risi-Krohn Ferrari also had a spin, impacting the wall at the Ford Chicane, leading to driver Tracy Krohn being briefly hospitalized. http://www.planetlemans.com/2008/06/01/risi-krohn-car-retired-early-from-test-day/ Risi-Krohn car retired early from test day Planet Le Mans 1 June 2008 2008-06-08 Less than an hour later, Marc Gené in the #7 Peugeot spun in the Karting curve and his 908 became airborne, impacting the wall heavily. Gené was hospitalized with an injured toe, http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/actu/2008-06-01_CR_3037_gb.html Two drivers in hospital after separate heavy impacts. Automobile Club de l'Ouest 1 June 2008 2008-06-08 https://web.archive.org/web/20080604082535/http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/actu/2008-06-01_CR_3037_gb.html 2008-06-04 and the car had to be replaced by a new chassis. The final stoppage of practice occurred in the final hour when Joey Foster impacting the wall at the Dunlop Chicane with his Embassy-Zytek. http://www.planetlemans.com/2008/06/01/le-mans-test-day-times-at-1800-final-update/ Le Mans test day – Times at 18:00 (final update) Planet Le Mans 1 June 2008 2008-06-08 https://web.archive.org/web/20080606174444/http://www.planetlemans.com/2008/06/01/le-mans-test-day-times-at-1800-final-update/ 6 June 2008 live Qualifying Qualifying was held on 11–12 June, with two individual two-hour sessions being held each day. The first sessions were held at early dusk, while following an hour break, the second sessions ran into the darkness of night. All drivers were once again required to set a minimum of laps to prepare themselves for the circuit; three laps required in the first session, and another three laps in the night session. The best lap time from all four combined determined the starting grid. Wednesday Following a wet test day, qualifying began under dry conditions. The Peugeot lapped under 3:20 min, lap times reminding of that of the Porsche 917 records set in 1971, when the track had almost no chicanes, and was 120m shorter. Stéphane Sarrazin on Peugeot Nr 8 grabbed pole-position in 3:18.513, shortly followed by Franck Montagny on Peugeot Nr 9 with 3:18.862. Thursday The second day of qualifying will determine the final grid. Qualifying times Class leaders and the fastest lap time in each class on each day are in bold. The fastest lap for each car is in gray. Pos No. Team Car Class Day 1 http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/chronos/pdf/essais1/practice1_24h.pdf Practice 1 – 24 Hours Automobile Club de l'Ouest 11 June 2008 2008-06-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20081117050631/http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/chronos/pdf/essais1/practice1_24h.pdf November 17, 2008 dead Day 2 http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/chronos/pdf/essais2/practice%202_24h.pdf Practice 2 – 24 Hours Automobile Club de l'Ouest 12 June 2008 2008-06-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20081117091117/http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/chronos/pdf/essais2/practice%202_24h.pdf November 17, 2008 dead Behind 1 8 FRA Team Peugeot Total Peugeot 908 HDi FAP LMP1 3:18.513 3:20.566 Leader 2 9 FRA Peugeot Sport Total Peugeot 908 HDi FAP LMP1 3:18.682 3:24.966 +0.169 3 7 FRA Team Peugeot Total Peugeot 908 HDi FAP LMP1 3:20.451 3:21.490 +1.938 4 2 DEU Audi Sport North America Audi R10 TDI LMP1 3:24.105 3:23.847 +5.334 5 3 DEU Audi Sport Team Joest Audi R10 TDI LMP1 3:24.287 3:26.432 +5.774 6 10 CZE Charouz Racing System Lola B08/60-Aston Martin LMP1 3:34.211 3:25.158 +6.645 7 1 DEU Audi Sport North America Audi R10 TDI LMP1 3:27.580 3:25.289 +6.776 8 11 JPN Dome Racing Team Dome S102 LMP1 3:29.352 3:26.928 +8.415 9 16 FRA Pescarolo Sport Pescarolo 01-Judd LMP1 3:28.533 3:32.407 +10.020 10 5 FRA Team Oreca-Matmut Courage-Oreca LC70-Judd LMP1 3:30.490 3:32.176 +11.977 11 17 FRA Pescarolo Sport Pescarolo 01-Judd LMP1 3:30.618 3:30.905 +12.105 12 12 CZE Charouz Racing System Lola B07/17-Judd LMP1 3:31.910 3:31.135 +12.622 13 6 FRA Team Oreca-Matmut Courage-Oreca LC70-Judd LMP1 3:31.243 3:33.139 +12.730 14 34 NLD Van Merksteijn Motorsport Porsche RS Spyder Evo LMP2 3:34.078 3:32.301 +13.788 15 21 ESP Epsilon Euskadi Epsilon Euskadi ee1 LMP1 3:41.526 3:32.939 +14.426 16 31 DNK Team Essex Porsche RS Spyder Evo LMP2 3:33.441 3:38.621 +14.928 17 20 ESP Epsilon Euskadi Epsilon Euskadi ee1 LMP1 3:39.158 3:34.281 +15.768 18 18 GBR Rollcentre Racing Pescarolo 01-Judd LMP1 3:35.450 3:35.020 +16.507 19 32 FRA Barazi-Epsilon Zytek 07S/2 LMP2 3:35.344 3:44.555 +16.831 20 33 CHE Speedy Racing Team Sebah Lola B08/80-Judd LMP2 3:35.401 – +16.888 21 14 GBR Creation Autosportif Creation CA07-AIM LMP1 3:35.994 3:39.638 +17.481 22 24 JPN Terramos Courage-Oreca LC70-Judd LMP1 3:37.560 3:40.318 +19.047 23 19 GBR Chamberlain-Synergy Motorsport Lola B06/10-AER LMP1 3:38.024 3:43.492 +19.511 24 45 GBR Embassy Racing Embassy WF01 LMP2 3:39.926 3:49.019 +21.413 25 25 GBR Ray Mallock Ltd. MG-Lola EX265 LMP2 3:44.188 3:40.027 +21.514 26 40 PRT Quifel ASM Team Lola B05/40-AER LMP2 3:41.193 3:44.074 +22.680 27 4 FRA Saulnier Racing Pescarolo 01-Judd LMP1 3:46.666 3:42.162 +23.649 28 35 FRA Saulnier Racing Pescarolo 01-Judd LMP2 3:42.545 4:10.588 +24.032 29 41 CHE Trading Performance Zytek 07S/2 LMP2 3:46.773 3:43.148 +24.635 30 26 GBR Team Bruichladdich Radical Radical SR9 LMP2 3:47.935 3:46.631 +28.118 31 63 USA Corvette Racing Chevrolet Corvette C6.R GT1 3:49.406 3:47.668 +29.155 32 23 USA Autocon Motorsports Creation CA07-Judd LMP1 3:56.108 3:47.695 +29.182 33 50 FRA Larbre Compétition Saleen S7-R GT1 3:50.920 3:47.761 +29.248 34 44 DEU Kruse Schiller Motorsport Lola B05/40-Mazda MZR-R LMP2 3:47.802 – +29.289 35 64 USA Corvette Racing Chevrolet Corvette C6.R GT1 3:50.766 3:48.539 +30.026 36 009 GBR Aston Martin Racing Aston Martin DBR9 GT1 3:52.266 3:48.994 +30.481 37 007 GBR Aston Martin Racing Aston Martin DBR9 GT1 3:52.527 3:49.060 +30.547 38 55 RUS IPB Spartak Racing Lamborghini Murciélago R-GT GT1 3:52.175 3:53.000 +33.662 39 72 FRA Luc Alphand Aventures Chevrolet Corvette C6.R GT1 3:53.990 3:52.993 +34.480 40 59 GBR Team Modena Aston Martin DBR9 GT1 3:58.193 3:53.031 +34.518 41 22 JPN Tōkai University YGK Courage-Oreca LC70-YGK LMP1 3:53.143 – +34.630 42 53 DEU Vitaphone Racing Team Aston Martin DBR9 GT1 3:57.371 3:53.475 +34.962 43 73 FRA Luc Alphand Aventures Chevrolet Corvette C6.R GT1 3:55.736 3:58.025 +37.223 44 76 FRA IMSA Performance Matmut Porsche 997 GT3-RSR GT2 4:00.793 3:58.152 +39.639 45 77 DEU Team Felbermayr-Proton Porsche 997 GT3-RSR GT2 4:02.517 3:59.072 +40.559 46 96 GBR Virgo Motorsport Ferrari F430 GT2 GT2 4:01.293 3:59.820 +41.307 47 80 USA Flying Lizard Motorsports Porsche 997 GT3-RSR GT2 4:00.106 4:02.799 +41.593 48 90 DEU Farnbacher Racing Ferrari F430 GT2 GT2 4:05.098 4:01.464 +42.951 49 82 USA Risi Competizione Ferrari F430 GT2 GT2 4:01.598 4:02.412 +43.085 50 97 ITA BMS Scuderia Italia Ferrari F430 GT2 GT2 4:02.080 4:03.109 +43.577 51 99 MCO JMB Racing Ferrari F430 GT2 GT2 4:03.293 4:14.033 +44.780 52 85 NLD Snoras Spyker Squadron Spyker C8 Laviolette GT2-R-Audi GT2 4:05.096 4:03.641 +45.138 53 78 ITA AF Corse Ferrari F430 GT2 GT2 4:05.660 4:03.810 +45.297 54 83 USA Risi Competizione Ferrari F430 GT2 GT2 4:07.978 4:04.515 +46.002 55 94 CHE Speedy Racing Team Spyker C8 Laviolette GT2-R-Audi GT2 4:11.564 4:08.284 +49.771 Race thumb|Allan McNish in the winning No. 2 Audi R10 TDI thumb|The No. 34 Porsche RS Spyder Evo of Van Merksteijn Motorsport took pole and first place in LMP2 thumb|The drivers of the No. 009 Aston Martin DBR9 celebrating a first-place finish in GT1 The race began at 3:00 pm local time (GMT+2). The three Peugeot 908 HDi FAPs led the field into the first chicane, but Allan McNish overtook the #7 Peugeot of Nicolas Minassian at the exit of the Dunlop Chicane. Minassian retook the position on the Mulsanne Straight, and the Peugeots maintained the top three positions at the end of the first lap. The Peugeots were running consistently 3 seconds a lap faster than McNish, and over 5 seconds faster than the other 2 Audis. In the early hours, the Peugeot #8, Pole setter and only car to set a fast race lap under 3:20, by black flagUntitled Document https://web.archive.org/web/20080617155555/http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/actu/2008-06-14_TP_3297_fr.html June 17, 2008 had been ordered into the pits to repair the headlights. This car trailed the other Diesels by several laps. The GT2 class saw drama for the two Porsches which had been battling for the class lead, as #80 collidedUntitled Document https://web.archive.org/web/20080618221428/http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/actu/2008-06-14_ML_3295_fr.html June 18, 2008 with the Pole setting Porsche #76. Only #77 could continue after lengthy repairs. The situation after 12 hoursAfter 12 hours Official Le Mans Website Retrieved 2010-02-18 September 2011 was as follows: Peugeot #7 was leading, with the first five being within 2 laps, with Audi #2 in 2nd, followed by Peugeot #9, and the Audi #3 and #1. Due to the fast pace and close competition, and despite a 34-minute safety car period, the leaders had completed 200 laps after 12 hours, a pace that might have topped the laps and distances covered in 1971 and 1988 despite the track now having chicanes. In the LMP2 class, the leader was 10th overall, the two Porsches being within a lap, leading the next car by nine laps. In GT1, the leader was 15th overall, the Aston Martins and Corvettes racing head to head less than a minute apart, with six cars being within six laps. In the GT2 class, the leading Ferrari was 26th overall, with no less than five Ferraris battling for the class win which was to be expected after the two class leading Porsches had collided, and five other GT2 cars were already out. The second half of the race was under wet conditions. Lap times of the whole field went above the 4:00 mark, with GT1 cars actually as fast as the leading diesels. The Audis were able to cope with the rain much better than the Peugeots. Kristensen was able to reel in Minassian at 8 seconds per lap. In a desperate attempt to adapt the Peugeots to the wet conditions all 3 cars were fitted with high-downforce nose and tail sections. At 5am the #2 Audi grabbed the lead and McNish was able to build the advantage to a full lap. The rain stopped and the #7 started to reel in the #2. With less than 2 hours to go the rain returned. Minassian decided to stick with slicks and as a result spun in front of the Lizard Porsche just before the Dunlop Esses. In the end, Audi and Kristensen won once again, with the highest placing Peugeot being in the same lap, but not in reach for overtaking. The six factory-entered diesels dominated the LMP1 class, having no major problems. The Porsche RS Spyders dominated the LMP2 class, posting faster lap times than several LMP1 cars. In the GT1 class, Aston Martin Racing edged Corvette Racing for the win, placed 13th overall, both covering 344 laps with three more GT1 entrants chasing them. It was AMR's second win against stiff competition from Corvette in as many years. Of the five Ferraris which had led the GT2 class, three made it to the finish ahead of the remaining Porsches which had been lapping slightly faster. Of the 35 cars still running after 24 hours, only one failed to cover 70% of the 381 laps of the winner. Despite the conditions, the distance record on the current track layout, 380 laps, set in 2006, was beaten by one lap by both the #2 Audi and the #7 Peugeot. Official results Class winners are marked in bold. Cars finishing the race but not completing 70% of the winner's distance or cars not finishing the race at the end of 24 hours (marked as DNF; regardless of distance) are listed as NC (Not Classified). Pos Class No Team Drivers Chassis Tyre Laps Engine 1 LMP1 2 DEU Audi Sport North America GBR Allan McNishITA Rinaldo CapelloDNK Tom Kristensen Audi R10 TDI Michelin 381 Audi TDI 5.5 L Turbo V12(Diesel) 2 LMP1 7 FRA Team Peugeot Total FRA Nicolas MinassianESP Marc GenéCAN Jacques Villeneuve Peugeot 908 HDi FAP Michelin 381 Peugeot HDi 5.5 L Turbo V12(Diesel) 3 LMP1 9 FRA Peugeot Sport Total FRA Franck MontagnyBRA Ricardo ZontaAUT Christian Klien Peugeot 908 HDi FAP Michelin 379 Peugeot HDi 5.5 L Turbo V12(Diesel) 4 LMP1 3 DEU Audi Sport Team Joest DEU Mike RockenfellerDEU Lucas LuhrFRA Alexandre Prémat Audi R10 TDI Michelin 374 Audi TDI 5.5 L Turbo V12(Diesel) 5 LMP1 8 FRA Team Peugeot Total FRA Stéphane SarrazinPRT Pedro LamyAUT Alexander Wurz Peugeot 908 HDi FAP Michelin 368 Peugeot HDi 5.5 L Turbo V12(Diesel) 6 LMP1 1 DEU Audi Sport North America DEU Frank BielaDEU Marco WernerITA Emanuele Pirro Audi R10 TDI Michelin 367 Audi TDI 5.5 L Turbo V12(Diesel) 7 LMP1 17 FRA Pescarolo Sport FRA Christophe TinseauFRA Benoît TréluyerCHE Harold Primat Pescarolo 01 Michelin 362 Judd GV5.5 S2 5.5 L V10 8 LMP1 5 FRA Team Oreca-Matmut FRA Soheil AyariFRA Loïc DuvalFRA Laurent Groppi Courage-Oreca LC70 Michelin 357 Judd GV5.5 S2 5.5 L V10 9 LMP1 10 CZE Charouz Racing SystemGBR Aston Martin Racing CZE Jan CharouzCZE Tomáš EngeDEU Stefan Mücke Lola B08/60 Michelin 354 Aston Martin 6.0L V12 10 LMP2 34 NLD Van Merksteijn Motorsport NLD Peter van MerksteijnNLD Jeroen BleekemolenNLD Jos Verstappen Porsche RS Spyder Evo Michelin 354 Porsche MR6 3.4 L V8 11 LMP1 18 GBR Rollcentre Racing PRT João BarbosaFRA Stéphan GrégoireBEL Vanina Ickx Pescarolo 01 Dunlop 352 Judd GV5.5 S2 5.5 L V10 12 LMP2 31 DNK Team Essex DNK Casper ElgaardDNK John NielsenDEU Sascha Maassen Porsche RS Spyder Evo Dunlop 347 Porsche MR6 3.4 L V8 13 GT1 009 GBR Aston Martin Racing AUS David BrabhamESP Antonio GarcíaGBR Darren Turner Aston Martin DBR9 Michelin 344 Aston Martin 6.0 L V12 14 GT1 63 USA Corvette Racing USA Johnny O'ConnellDNK Jan MagnussenCAN Ron Fellows Chevrolet Corvette C6.R Michelin 344 Chevrolet LS7.R 7.0 L V8 15 GT1 64 USA Corvette Racing GBR Oliver GavinMCO Olivier BerettaITA Max Papis Chevrolet Corvette C6.R Michelin 341 Chevrolet LS7.R 7.0 L V8 16 GT1 007 GBR Aston Martin Racing DEU Heinz-Harald FrentzenITA Andrea PicciniAUT Karl Wendlinger Aston Martin DBR9 Michelin 339 Aston Martin 6.0 L V12 17 GT1 72 FRA Luc Alphand Aventures FRA Luc AlphandFRA Guillaume MoreauFRA Jérôme Policand Chevrolet Corvette C6.R Michelin 335 Chevrolet LS7.R 7.0 L V8 18 LMP2 35 FRA Saulnier Racing FRA Pierre RaguesFRA Matthieu LahayeCHN Cheng Congfu Pescarolo 01 Michelin 333 Judd DB 3.4 L V8 19 GT2 82 USA Risi Competizione ITA Gianmaria BruniFIN Mika SaloBRA Jaime Melo Ferrari F430 GT2 Michelin 326 Ferrari 4.0 L V8 20 LMP2 40 PRT Quifel ASM Team PRT Miguel AmaralFRA Olivier PlaGBR Guy Smith Lola B05/40 Dunlop 325 AER P07 2.0 L Turbo I4 21 GT1 73 FRA Luc Alphand Aventures FRA Jean-Luc BlanchemainFRA Laurent PasqualiFRA Patrice Goueslard Chevrolet Corvette C6.R Michelin 325 Chevrolet LS7.R 7.0 L V8 22 GT2 97 ITA BMS Scuderia Italia ITA Matteo MalucelliITA Paolo RubertiITA Fabio Babini Ferrari F430 GT2 Pirelli 318 Ferrari 4.0 L V8 23 GT2 90 DEU Farnbacher Racing DEU Pierre EhretDEU Pierre KafferDNK Lars-Erik Nielsen Ferrari F430 GT2 Dunlop 317 Ferrari 4.0 L V8 24 LMP1 14 GBR Creation Autosportif GBR Stuart HallGBR Johnny MowlemBEL Marc Goossens Creation CA07 Dunlop 316 AIM (Judd) YS5.5 5.5 L V10 25 GT2 99 MCO JMB RacingGBR Aucott Racing GBR Ben AucottFRA Alain FertéFRA Stéphane Daoudi Ferrari F430 GT2 Michelin 312 Ferrari 4.0 L V8 26 LMP1 4 FRA Saulnier Racing FRA Jacques NicoletMCO Marc FaggionatoMCO Richard Hein Pescarolo 01 Michelin 311 Judd GV5.5 S2 5.5 L V10 27 GT2 77 DEU Team Felbermayr-Proton AUT Horst FelbermayrAUS Alex DavisonDEU Wolf Henzler Porsche 997 GT3-RSR Michelin 309 Porsche 3.8 L Flat-6 28 GT1 50 FRA Larbre Compétition FRA Christophe BouchutFRA David SmetFRA Patrick Bornhauser Saleen S7-R Michelin 306 Ford 7.0 L V8 29 LMP2 32 FRA Barazi-Epsilon NLD Michael VergersDNK Juan BaraziGBR Stuart Moseley Zytek 07S/2 Michelin 304 Zytek ZG348 3.4 L V8 30 GT1 59 GBR Team Modena USA Terry BorchellerBRA Christian FittipaldiNLD Jos Menten Aston Martin DBR9 Michelin 302 Aston Martin 6.0 L V12 31 LMP2 26 GBR Team Bruichladdich Radical FRA Marc RostanUSA Gunnar JeannetteGBR Ben Devlin Radical SR9 Dunlop 297 AER P07 2.0 L Turbo I4 32 GT2 80 USA Flying Lizard Motorsports DEU Jörg BergmeisterUSA Johannes van OverbeekUSA Seth Neiman Porsche 997 GT3-RSR Michelin 289 Porsche 3.8 L Flat-6 33 LMP1 11 JPN Dome Racing Team JPN Tatsuya KataokaJPN Yuji TachikawaJPN Daisuke Itō Dome S102 Michelin 272 Judd GV5.5 S2 5.5 L V10 34NC GT1 55 RUS IPB Spartak RacingDEU Reiter Engineering NLD Peter KoxNLD Mike HezemansRUS Roman Rusinov Lamborghini Murciélago R-GT Michelin 266 Lamborghini L535 6.0 L V12 35NC LMP1 24 JPN Terramos JPN Yojiro TeradaJPN Hiroki KatohJPN Kazuho Takahashi Courage LC70 Michelin 224 Mugen MF408S 4.0 L V8 36DNF GT2 96 GBR Virgo Motorsport GBR Rob BellGBR Tim MullenGBR Tim Sugden Ferrari F430 GT2 Dunlop 289 Ferrari 4.0 L V8 37DNF LMP1 16 FRA Pescarolo Sport FRA Emmanuel CollardFRA Jean-Christophe BoullionFRA Romain Dumas Pescarolo 01 Michelin 238 Judd GV5.5 S2 5.5 L V10 38DNF LMP1 23 USA Autocon MotorsportsGBR Creation Autosportif USA Bryan WillmanUSA Michael LewisUSA Chris McMurry Creation CA07 Dunlop 224 Judd GV5 5.0 L V10 39DNF LMP2 45 GBR Embassy Racing GBR Warren HughesGBR Jonny KaneGBR Joey Foster Embassy WF01 Michelin 213 Zytek ZG348 3.4 L V8 40DNF LMP2 33 CHE Speedy Racing TeamGBR Sebah Automotive CHE Steve ZacchiaITA Andrea BelicchiFRA Xavier Pompidou Lola B08/80 Michelin 194 Judd DB 3.4 L V8 41DNF LMP1 20 ESP Epsilon Euskadi ESP Ángel BurgueñoESP Miguel Ángel de CastroESP Adrián Vallés Epsilon Euskadi ee1 Michelin 189 Judd GV5.5 S2 5.5 L V10 42DNF LMP1 22 JPN Tōkai UniversityJPN YGK Power JPN Toshio SuzukiJPN Haruki KurosawaJPN Masami Kageyama Courage-Oreca LC70 Yokohama 185 YGK YR40T 4.0 L Turbo V8 43DNF LMP1 21 ESP Epsilon Euskadi JPN Shinji NakanoSWE Stefan JohanssonFRA Jean-Marc Gounon Epsilon Euskadi ee1 Michelin 158 Judd GV5.5 S2 5.5 L V10 44DNF LMP1 6 FRA Team Oreca-Matmut CHE Marcel FässlerFRA Olivier PanisFRA Simon Pagenaud Courage-Oreca LC70 Michelin 147 Judd GV5.5 S2 5.5 L V10 45DNF LMP2 44 DEU Kruse Schiller Motorsport FRA Jean de PourtalesJPN Hideki NodaDNK Allan Simonsen Lola B05/40 Dunlop 147 Mazda MZR-R 2.0 L Turbo I4 46DNF LMP1 12 CZE Charouz Racing SystemUSA Team Cytosport USA Greg PickettDEU Klaus GrafNLD Jan Lammers Lola B07/17 Michelin 146 Judd GV5.5 S2 5.5 L V10 47DNF GT2 78 ITA AF Corse ITA Thomas BiagiFIN Toni VilanderSMR 1862 Christian Montanari Ferrari F430 GT2 Michelin 111 Ferrari 4.0 L V8 48DNF LMP2 25 GBR Ray Mallock Ltd. (RML) GBR Andy WallaceGBR Mike NewtonBRA Thomas Erdos MG-Lola EX265 Michelin 100 MG (AER) XP21 2.0 L Turbo I4 49DNF LMP1 19 GBR Chamberlain-Synergy Motorsport GBR Bob BerridgeGBR Gareth Evans GBR Amanda Stretton Lola B06/10 Dunlop 87 AER P32C 4.0 L Turbo V8 50DNF GT1 53 DEU Vitaphone Racing TeamGBR Strakka Racing GBR Peter HardmanGBR Nick LeventisBRA Alexandre Negrão Aston Martin DBR9 Michelin 82 Aston Martin 6.0 L V12 51DNF GT2 94 CHE Speedy Racing Team CHE Andrea ChiesaCHE Iradj AlexanderCHE Benjamin Leuenberger Spyker C8 Laviolette GT2-R Michelin 72 Audi 4.0 L V8 52DNF GT2 85 NLD Snoras Spyker Squadron DEU Ralf KellenersRUS Alexey VasilyevGBR Peter Dumbreck Spyker C8 Laviolette GT2-R Michelin 43 Audi 4.0 L V8 53DNF GT2 76 FRA IMSA Performance Matmut FRA Raymond NaracUSA Patrick LongAUT Richard Lietz Porsche 997 GT3-RSR Michelin 26 Porsche 3.8 L Flat-6 54DNF LMP2 41 CHE Trading Performance SAU Karim OjjehFRA Claude-Yves GosselinGBR Adam Sharpe Zytek 07S/2 Michelin 22 Zytek ZG348 3.4 L V8 55DNF GT2 83 USA Risi CompetizioneUSA Krohn Racing USA Tracy KrohnSWE Niclas JönssonBEL Eric van de Poele Ferrari F430 GT2 Michelin 12 Ferrari 4.0 L V8 Statistics Fastest Lap – #8 Peugeot 908 HDI (Stéphane Sarrazin) – 3:19.394 Average Speed – #2 Audi R10 TDI – 216.3 km/h Fastest Trap Speed – #8 Peugeot 908 HDI-FAP – 350 km/h* References 2 External links Official website of the 24 Hours of Le Mans Spotter Guides – 2008 24 Hours of Le Mans Category:24 Hours of Le Mans races Le Mans 24 Hours of Le Mans