10.11 The 52 Viper comes into the garage from 3rd place with starter motor problems but the Vosse Viper is 4 laps behind so they have time to affect the repair.
The Goh Audi has after Jan Lammers and Hillebrand moments is now in 7th place. The Dome is 41 seconds behind but well in front of the Taylor Cadillac.

The Corvettes are 12th and 13th now four laps clear of the bet Viper. The great race battle throughout the race has been in GT, the long time leading Freisinger Porsche is now just 11 seconds behind the Racers Group car, while the battle for 3rd has raged for many laps between Seikel and Taisan currently lies with the Seikel car by 1mim 14 secs.
The Alphand Porsche has had yet another left rear puncture and changes tyres, drivers and refuels. It also requires extensive tape over the front right headlight.

Amongst the walking wounded the Panoz Mugen is still circulating down in 27th a mere 68 laps behind the leader. The 1 and 3 Audis pit together but the 1 car of Biela fails to start, it starts but fails to run, it is pushed into the garage frantic work starts on the rear. Herbert is currently 2 laps behind and the 3 car a further lap. Herbert goes passed the pits now one lap behind, they are still working on the rear of the car but now it is back on the front, it starts and leaves but its lead is now less than a lap. Will they be allowed to race to the end. After the Domes couple of indiscretions Hillebrand has closed on the Ara driven Audi and passes as the Audi pits. The surprise leader of 675 is still the little WR, which has run almost without fault while the faster cars have failed or needed repairs. The only other car is the Delatrez Reynard 10 laps behind.

The GT battle wages on, the Freisinger car has stopped and now Maassen chases. The 3rd battle continues just as fiercely. The 12 Panoz is now out so only the unloved LMP07 is still running. Herbert no does his routine stop and Pescatori takes over with new tyres. The car starts but the gap has opened with the time in the pits. Will the lead car start on its next stop? The 12 car has broken a con rod and the Panoz dream is over until the next year.
Hillebrand and Ara continue to trade times the Audi still leads after the stops by about 40 seconds.

Nineteen hours into the race the lead Audi's last lap was a 3.35.055 they are not cruising, it appears they are being allowed to race. The weather remains hot and dry with high hazy cloud, the forecast of a late storm remains. Biela now does a 3.34.804 just shy of the fastest race lap. The Freisinger Porsche gets a black flag for too many people working on the car, it looks like a 1-minute penalty it is away but has this ruined the GT battle. The 14 Minassian Dallara, which has always been the quicker car, is closing on the Berretta car by 3 or 4 seconds a lap.
The Morgan is no longer on the screen so the two new GT cars have performed with credit. The Spyker should be back next year without its restrictions. The performance of the FIA champion Ferrari 360 Modena was a disappointment but JMB have no doubt learnt many lessons.

Biela is lapping 2 seconds a lap quicker than Pescatori and easing out the gap, the result could well depend on how the lead car starts after its next stop which is about to happen now. Biela stays in; it starts first time and is away without problems. The 5 Audi stops, ARA stays in and goes a further stint on his tyres, the Dome stops, Coronel takes over and takes new tyres, strategy?

The Vaillante is out again following the Cottaz Courage Judd, the car has been quick but has had one very long pit stop to leave it trailing in an representative 22nd. The remaining Pescarolo car is 10th but neither car has been particularly fast or reliable enough to emulate the performance of 2000.

11.39 The 675 Reynard has just had at least its third three point turn at Arnage.

11.41 the Vaillante is pushed into the garage for I suspect preparation for the grand victory, OOPS have I given away the story?

12.00 the order is; Biela, Pescatori, Peter, Leitzinger, Lamy, Sarrazin, Ara, Coronel, Tinseau and Lagorce (Courage Pescarolo).

The three leading GTS cars are 12th 13th and 14th0; two Corvettes are followed by the Oreca Viper. The GT battle continues Luhr from Bergmeister, Drudi and Iida.
WR continues to lead the Reynard.

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