Toulemonde and Zollinger side by side

The first practice session set the scene for the weekend with a gap of only five thousandths of a second between the two drivers in the lead in the Challenge. Zollinger took pole ahead of Toulemonde, both driving Norma M20 Fs.

The start of race on a damp track quickly gave over to a gradually drier track after the first hour, obliging drivers to hone their strategies. In spite of a further win by a car from the IRS stable, the third this season and the second by the Ibanez/Cavailhes team, the Ligier JS49 from Pegasus Racing once again made it onto the podium, four times in four races, and increased its lead at the head of the Challenge.

Starting from the pole position earned by Zollinger, the Norma M20 F from the Green Team stable, running on Bio-ethanol was forced to slow down after its fuel tank's foam started to disintegrate and block its fuel supply. This threw the race open on the still damp track, although it was not raining, and the Norma M20 F of Haezebrouck went into the lead, soon to be taken by young Rosier behind the wheel of an "old generation" Norma M20, which he drove to perfection.

In spite of competition from cars just as fast, if not faster than their Porsche 997 Cup, and in the hands of drivers much more used to the Challenge, Anne-Sophie and Michel Nourry were able to make the most of Michel's tremendous experience in endurance racing to score a win under the most difficult conditions.

On this summer Sunday morning, it suddenly started to rain during the start procedure. There was no doubt as to the choice of tyres. As usual, Langin had taken pole position in the Porsche 996 RSR shared with Moreau whereas the Renault Mégane Trophy of Rousseau/Lemée was once again on the front line but did not make the most of the start and gradually dropped down the field to get stuck there.

The changing weather soaked Sunday's races in steady rain, which enabled the drivers to appreciate the different changes made to the circuit in the interests of safety. Placings in the V de V endurance and sprint challenges have closed up at the top end of the classifications confirming a very hotly disputed start of season.

Clement weather meant the drivers could make the most of the dry track throughout the race with the Protos getting the best of the GTs. The winners of the Val de Vienne event repeated their performance for their second sortie with the Chevron B21 barchetta, driven to victory by Hahn and Haezebrouck, this time teamed up with Frédéric Da Rocha.

Other

Heroes of the racetrack paid tribute to Lola at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed (11-13 July). Attended by over 100,000 spectators, Damon Hill, John Surtees, Sebastien Bourdais, Brian Redman and Carl Haas were among many famous faces joining legendary Lola founder Eric Broadley and current owner Martin Birrane in marking the golden anniversary of the world’s most prolific and successful racing car constructor.

American Le Mans Series Announces Austin Hatcher Foundation: For a Carefree Childhood as Official Charity

Columbus, OH -- July 14, 2008 -- The American Le Mans Series officially kicks off its affiliation with the Austin Hatcher Foundation on Tuesday as four of the world's top sports drivers visit pediatric wards at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus. Clint and Jon Field of Intersport Racing in Dublin, Ohio along with Patro^Hn Highcroft Racing's David Brabham and Drayson-Barwell's Paul Drayson will visit with young people and their families from 12:30 p.m. -- 1:30 p.m. to kick off the Series' partnership with the foundation as its official charity.

The Aston Martin DBR9 and its Rahal Letterman Racing crew.

TOPEKA, Kan. (July 15, 2008) – The Aston Martin DB9 will return to SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge GT competition this weekend for the Mid-Ohio SPEED GT Presented by Remington.