By Sam Tickell

Audi were again metronomic in their Le Mans defence, while Dome put in an impressive performance

The main battle at Le Mans was certainly a Goliath vs Goliath affair. A titanic diesel battle between the French Peugeot and the German Audi squads. But there was more – a petrol battle with Charouz, Oreca and Pescarolo and interlopers to the crown also in the field.

The 2008 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans was a great battle with Audi again taking the prize.

By Sam Tickell

There was no denying the pace and reliability of the Van Merksteijn Porsche

The LMP2 class is usually one that rewards they team that simply makes it to the end. This is something that was, again, expected in 2008. But it was something we did not get.

As in 2007, 2008 saw Audi winning from Peugeot

The Results (class winners in bold)

Feedmesportscars has been tipped from a friend, Mike Harris, that Honda's favourite driver, Takuma Sato was hanging out at the Le Mans paddock.

Audi would be the eventual winner, taking revenge on Peugeot for their early season success in the LMS

37 cars out of the 55 entrants of the 2008 Le Mans 24 Hours are Le Mans Series regulars!

Figures are edifying! There is no doubt about the sporting justification of the series which are celebrating this year their fifth season.

It was a last minute thing for Allan Simonsen. Originally the Aussie Dane was to pilot the Tafel Racing Ferrari 430 GT2 that he raced so successfully at Sebring earlier this year, teaming with hotshots Dominik Farnbacher and Dirk Müller. Without warning, Tafel pulled the pin, citing economic reasons. With only 55 cars allowed to start (all must be invited by the ACO other than those who are 1st and 2nd in each class in 2007 plus various LMS champions) that means 165 drivers are needed and everyone wants a shot at the worlds greatest race.

A whole bunch of options were looked at but ended up as dead ends.

By Sam Tickell

Victory went to the Aston Martin squad again in '08

Aston Martin vs Corvette - it seems to already be ingrained in Le Mans mythology. Its something that we look forward to each year and yet, even though it has only been with us for a few.

By Sam Tickell

Ferrari did it right

Well what can one say? A Ferrari wins without a Porsche in site.

Not only do Ferrari win by they take second, third and fourth. The best Porsche is that of Feblermayr-Proton, some 17 laps off the winning Ferrari – that of Risi Competizione.

So where did it all go wrong for Porsche? Or as we prefer to think – where did it all go right for Ferrari?

So Le Mans is over for another year but like always, the rumour mill does the rounds so, naturally this is not the whole lot of rumours but this is what we have heard...

Moreau along with his Luc Alphand Adventures team finished 5th in class

A delighted Guillaume Moreau saw the chequered flag on his second outing in the famous Le Mans 24 Hours. The man from the Limousin region drove a fault-free race with Luc Alphand and Jerome Policand in the no.72 Corvette C6.R to finish 5th in the LM GT1 category.

The van Merksteijn Porsche on the way to a class win

Porsche
Pescarolo
RML
Team Modena
Shell

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Audi is now the third winningist manufacturer (overall wins) to race at Le Mans

Ingolstadt/Le Mans – At one of the most exciting and fastest races in Le Mans history, AUDI AG clinched another triumph at what is arguably the world’s toughest motor race.

Ferrari overcame the challenge from Porsche to record a 1-2-3-4 in GT2

Ferrari
Trading Performance
Loic Duval
Johnny Mowlem
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Audi takes the flag for the 8th time, overcoming a great challenge from Peugeot

Alan McNish finally got his Rolex at Les 24 Heures du Mans after a tough fight to victory in the legendary 24-hour race. McNish's Audi team fought hard to overcome the three Peugeots ahead on the grid, eventually took the lead after thirteen hours and never looked back, winning in front of 285,500 spectators.

There is more to the Le Mans 24 Hours then just the cars

Among the extraordinary elements that may convince you to pay Les 24 Heures du Mans circuit a visit during the event, there are some activities in the area that awaken the imagination and let you dream. Even once the teams have taken off from the start following the official Rolex countdown, there is plenty to see in Le Mans…

The night at Le Mans offers something special

The 24 Heures du Mans are always held the weekend closest to the shortest night of the year in France, the 21st of June. In fact, there is something magic about the moment the race passes from day into night- it becomes a wholly different challenge, and as they say, it is the stuff that legends are made of.

Gene had a wild and dangerous ride on test day but fortunately survivied with only very minor injuries

At 14:51h on June 1st, while negotiating one of the Porsche curves of the Le Mans racetrack, the Peugeot 908 Hdi-FPA number 7 flew into the air going 270 km/h. Spaniard Marc Gené was driving. When watching the violence of the crash, no one could have imagined that the Catalan driver would drive the car again, especially not for the 2008 edition of Les 24 Heures du Mans.

Sugden and Virgo were going well before an engine problem hit late in the race

Tim Sugden
Alex Davison
Pierre Ragues
Caparo
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The BMS Scuderia Italia squad finished second in class

Paolo Ruberti
Stuart Moseley
Guy Smith
Cheng Congfu
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Congratulations from the team for win number 8

Taking the Lead
Leading in the Rain
Taking the Win
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They may not have won but to get three cars home in the top 5 is a might achievement

2 Hours
5 Hours
8 Hours
10 Hours
12 Hours
15 Hours
18 Hours
21 Hours
24 Hours
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The Aston Martin squad were able to defend their 2007 win

3 Hours
6 Hours
9 Hours
12 Hours
15 Hours
18 Hours
21 Hours
24 Hours
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They tried hard but could not regain the GT1 honours

6 Hours
12 Hours
18 Hours
24 Hours
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Crossing the line to the applause of the team - the Risi team were comprehensive class winnners

4 Hours
8 Hours
15 Hours
24 Hours
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Larbre had a common Le Mans story - had the pace but not the luck

8 Hours
19 Hours
Finish
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The Pescarolo won the unofficial petrol class, beating the likes of the Oreca Judd

6 Hours
19 Hours
Finish
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The Quifel-ASM team finished just off the LMP2 podium

5 Hours
22 Hours
Finish
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11th consecutive overall win and a win in every class - Michelin definitely succeeded in 2008

3 Hours
6 Hours
12 Hours
18 Hours
24 Hours
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It may have gone wrong early on the track but Flying Lizards did take out the prestigious "Prix ESCRA" award

3 Hours
3.5 Hours
7 Hours
12 Hours
21 Hours
Finish
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Van Merksteijn celebrates his class win in the team the bears his name. It was a win on debut for the team and the Porsche RS Sypder

Van Merksteijn Motorsport
Saulnier Racing
Charouz Racing Systems
Spyker
Vitaphone Racing
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Allan McNish
Jos Menten
Lola
Zytek
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All the news and the top three class positions after 24 hours

LMP1
1 2 Audi Sport North America LMP1 KRISTENSEN T. 381
2 7 Team Peugeot Total LMP1 MINASSIAN N. 380
3 9 Peugeot Sport Total LMP1 MONTAGNY F. 379

All the news and the top three class positions after 23 hours

LMP1
1. 2 LM P1 R.Capello, A.McNish, T.Kristensen Audi Sport North America Audi R10 365 3:38.367
2. 7 LM P1 M.Gene, N.Minassian, J.Villeneuve Team Peugeot Total Peugeot 908 365 1:59.071
3. 9 LM P1 F.Montagny, R.Zonta, C.Klein Peugeot Sport Total Peugeot 908 363 2 Laps

It was a sad end for Virgo who looked like taking a good result in GT2

All the news and the top three class positions after 22 hours

LMP1
1. 2 LM P1 R.Capello, A.McNish, T.Kristensen Audi Sport North America Audi R10 348 3:44.437
2. 7 LM P1 M.Gene, N.Minassian, J.Villeneuve Team Peugeot Total Peugeot 908 348 2:44.578
3. 9 LM P1 F.Montagny, R.Zonta, C.Klein Peugeot Sport Total Peugeot 908 346 2 Laps

The Peugeots try to take advantage of a drying track

All the news and the top three class positions after 21 hours

LMP1
1. 2 LM P1 R.Capello, A.McNish, T.Kristensen Audi Sport North America Audi R10 332 3:41.992
2. 7 LM P1 M.Gene, N.Minassian, J.Villeneuve Team Peugeot Total Peugeot 908 331 1 Lap
3. 9 LM P1 F.Montagny, R.Zonta, C.Klein Peugeot Sport Total Peugeot 908 329 3 Laps

The #3 Audi is just outside the podium

All the news and the top three class positions after 20 hours

LMP1
1. 2 LM P1 R.Capello, A.McNish, T.Kristensen Audi Sport North America Audi R10 316 4:03.180
2. 7 LM P1 M.Gene, N.Minassian, J.Villeneuve Team Peugeot Total Peugeot 908 315 1 Lap
3. 9 LM P1 F.Montagny, R.Zonta, C.Klein Peugeot Sport Total Peugeot 908 314 2 Laps

The BMS Scuderia Italia Ferrari is racing well in third after 19 hours

All the news and the top three class positions after 19 hours

LMP1
1. 2 LM P1 R.Capello, A.McNish, T.Kristensen Audi Sport North America Audi R10 301 4:00.125
2. 7 LM P1 M.Gene, N.Minassian, J.Villeneuve Team Peugeot Total Peugeot 908 300 1 Lap
3. 9 LM P1 F.Montagny, R.Zonta, C.Klein Peugeot Sport Total Peugeot 908 299 2 Laps

The #8 Peugeot has had its issues so far this race

All the news and the top three class positions after 18 hours

LMP1
1. 2 LM P1 R.Capello, A.McNish, T.Kristensen Audi Sport North America Audi R10 287 3:59.171
2. 7 LM P1 M.Gene, N.Minassian, J.Villeneuve Team Peugeot Total Peugeot 908 286 1 Lap
3. 9 LM P1 F.Montagny, R.Zonta, C.Klein Peugeot Sport Total Peugeot 908 285 2 Laps

All the news and the top three class positions after 17 hours

LMP1
1. 2 LM P1 R.Capello, A.McNish, T.Kristensen Audi Sport North America Audi R10 272 4:02.168
2. 7 LM P1 M.Gene, N.Minassian, J.Villeneuve Team Peugeot Total Peugeot 908 272 1:34.488
3. 9 LM P1 F.Montagny, R.Zonta, C.Klein Peugeot Sport Total Peugeot 908 270 2 Laps

The #17 is the leading petrol powered car at 16 hours

All the news and the top three class positions after 16 hours

LMP1
1. 2 LM P1 R.Capello, A.McNish, T.Kristensen Audi Sport North America Audi R10 257 3:58.871
2. 7 LM P1 M.Gene, N.Minassian, J.Villeneuve Team Peugeot Total Peugeot 908 257 16.265
3. 9 LM P1 F.Montagny, R.Zonta, C.Klein Peugeot Sport Total Peugeot 908 255 2 Laps

The Audis faired well in the wet

All the news and the top three class positions after 15 hours

LMP1
1 Audi Sport North America KRISTENSEN T. 246
2 Team Peugeot Total GENE M. 245
3 Audi Sport Team Joest \ ROCKENFELLER 244 2 Laps

The GT1 battle is tight between the Corvettes and Aston Martins

All the news and the top three class positions after 14 hours

LMP1
1. 7 LM P1 M.Gene, N.Minassian, J.Villeneuve Team Peugeot Total Peugeot 908 229 4:04.738
2. 2 LM P1 R.Capello, A.McNish, T.Kristensen Audi Sport North America Audi R10 229 17.285
3. 3 LM P1 L.Luhr, A.Premat, M.Rockenfeller Audi Sport Team Joest Audi R10 227 2 Laps

The night atmosphere at Le Mans

All the news and the top three class positions after 13 hours

LMP1
1. 7 LM P1 M.Gene, N.Minassian, J.Villeneuve Team Peugeot Total Peugeot 908 214 3:41.613
2. 2 LM P1 R.Capello, A.McNish, T.Kristensen Audi Sport North America Audi R10 213 1 Lap
3. 9 LM P1 F.Montagny, R.Zonta, C.Klein Peugeot Sport Total Peugeot 908 212 2 Laps

The Creation Aim had a slight problem but continued

All the news and the top three class positions after 12 hours

LMP1
1. 7 LM P1 M.Gene, N.Minassian, J.Villeneuve Team Peugeot Total Peugeot 908 197 3:32.828
2. 2 LM P1 R.Capello, A.McNish, T.Kristensen Audi Sport North America Audi R10 196 1 Lap
3. 9 LM P1 F.Montagny, R.Zonta, C.Klein Peugeot Sport Total Peugeot 908 196 2:23.508

All the news and the top three class positions after 11 hours

LMP1
1. 7 LM P1 M.Gene, N.Minassian, J.Villeneuve Team Peugeot Total Peugeot 908 181 4:19.644
2. 2 LM P1 R.Capello, A.McNish, T.Kristensen Audi Sport North America Audi R10 180 1 Lap
3. 9 LM P1 F.Montagny, R.Zonta, C.Klein Peugeot Sport Total Peugeot 908 179 2 Laps

The #6 Oreca crashed, retied and bought out the Safety Car

All the news and the top three class positions after 10 hours

LMP1
1. 7 LM P1 M.Gene, N.Minassian, J.Villeneuve Team Peugeot Total Peugeot 908 164 3:31.915
2. 2 LM P1 R.Capello, A.McNish, T.Kristensen Audi Sport North America Audi R10 163 1 Lap
3. 9 LM P1 F.Montagny, R.Zonta, C.Klein Peugeot Sport Total Peugeot 908 162 2 Laps

All the news and the top three class positions after 9 hours

LMP1
1. 7 LM P1 M.Gene, N.Minassian, J.Villeneuve Team Peugeot Total Peugeot 908 150 4:48.756
2. 2 LM P1 R.Capello, A.McNish, T.Kristensen Audi Sport North America Audi R10 150 1:08.016
3. 9 LM P1 F.Montagny, R.Zonta, C.Klein Peugeot Sport Total Peugeot 908 149 1 Lap

The #9 had a spin but was able to continue

All the news and the top three class positions after 8 hours

LMP1
1. 7 LM P1 M.Gene, N.Minassian, J.Villeneuve Team Peugeot Total Peugeot 908 134 3:29.810
2. 2 LM P1 R.Capello, A.McNish, T.Kristensen Audi Sport North America Audi R10 133 1 Lap
3. 9 LM P1 F.Montagny, R.Zonta, C.Klein Peugeot Sport Total Peugeot 908 133 2:17.505

All the news and the top three class positions after 7 hours

LMP1
1. 9 LM P1 F.Montagny, R.Zonta, C.Klein Peugeot Sport Total Peugeot 908 117 3:30.160
2. 7 LM P1 M.Gene, N.Minassian, J.Villeneuve Team Peugeot Total Peugeot 908 116 1 Lap
3. 2 LM P1 R.Capello, A.McNish, T.Kristensen Audi Sport North America Audi R10 116 1:24.326

The Bruichladdich Radical had a tough hour

All the news and the top three class positions after 6 hours

LMP1
1. 7 LM P1 M.Gene, N.Minassian, J.Villeneuve Team Peugeot Total Peugeot 908 100 3:28.182
2. 9 LM P1 F.Montagny, R.Zonta, C.Klein Peugeot Sport Total Peugeot 908 100 3.679
3. 2 LM P1 R.Capello, A.McNish, T.Kristensen Audi Sport North America Audi R10 100 1:01.771

All the news and the top three class positions after 5 hours

LMP1
1. 7 LM P1 M.Gene, N.Minassian, J.Villeneuve Team Peugeot Total Peugeot 908 83 3:32.381
2. 2 LM P1 R.Capello, A.McNish, T.Kristensen Audi Sport North America Audi R10 83 35.965
3. 9 LM P1 F.Montagny, R.Zonta, C.Klein Peugeot Sport Total Peugeot 908 83 1:01.843

The #85 Spyker retires where the #94 seeks mechanical attention

All the news and the top three class positions after 4 hours

LMP1
1. 2 LM P1 R.Capello, A.McNish, T.Kristensen Audi Sport North America Audi R10 64 3:31.865
2. 7 LM P1 M.Gene, N.Minassian, J.Villeneuve Team Peugeot Total Peugeot 908 64 34.171
3. 9 LM P1 F.Montagny, R.Zonta, C.Klein Peugeot Sport Total Peugeot 908 63 1 Lap

All the news and the top three class positions after 3 hours

LMP1
1. 2 LM P1 R.Capello, A.McNish, T.Kristensen Audi Sport North America Audi R10 52 3:26.274
2. 9 LM P1 F.Montagny, R.Zonta, C.Klein Peugeot Sport Total Peugeot 908 51 1 Lap
3. 7 LM P1 M.Gene, N.Minassian, J.Villeneuve Team Peugeot Total Peugeot 908 51 4.374

Hour 2 was the end of the line for the Krohn/Risi Ferrari

All the news and the top three class positions after 2 hours

LMP1
1. 8 LM P1 P.Lamy, S.Sarrazin, A.Wurz Team Peugeot Total Peugeot 908 33 3:29.106
2. 2 LM P1 R.Capello, A.McNish, T.Kristensen Audi Sport North America Audi R10 33 22.258
3. 9 LM P1 F.Montagny, R.Zonta, C.Klein Peugeot Sport Total Peugeot 908 33 43.494

All the news and the top three class positions after 1 hour

LMP1
1. 8 LM P1 P.Lamy, S.Sarrazin, A.Wurz Team Peugeot Total Peugeot 908 16 3:28.034
2. 9 LM P1 F.Montagny, R.Zonta, C.Klein Peugeot Sport Total Peugeot 908 16 1.155
3. 7 LM P1 M.Gene, N.Minassian, J.Villeneuve Team Peugeot Total Peugeot 908 16 16.025

A Proud Record
Ten wins in a row : Michelin boasts an outstanding record at Le Mans with no fewer than 16 victories on the famous circuit in the Sarthe. And we shouldn't forget that Bibendum was in on the very first running of the race that was to become the stuff of legend : in 1923 Michelin supported Lagache and Leonard in their Chenard and Walker Sport entry.

UK technology firm partners Barazi Epsilon team to explore opportunities for lightweight structures and components

Caparo is to make its first ever appearance at the 24 hours of Le Mans this year, after signing a partnering agreement with the Barazi Epsilon team. The team will be competing in the LMP2 category and will provide Caparo with the opportunity to develop lightweight structures and components in a competitive motorsport environment.

The Van Merksteijn Porsche overtaking the BMS Ferrari on the way to "P2" Pole

Van Merksteijn
Zytek
RML
Quifel ASM
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The Modena Aston Martin almost had a heavy crash after hitting oil

Larbre
Modena
Jos Menten
Lola
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The Virgo Ferrari is performing well at their first Le Mans

Rob Bell
Harold Primat
Stuart Moseley
ALMS Teams
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By Sam Tickell

In a press conference at Le Mans, the planned rules for the next four year were outlined by Daniel Poissenot the Automobile Club de l'Ouest's (ACO) Clerk of Course. This press conference has become an annual tradition and the 2008 edition was eagerly awaited.

Le Mans qualifying offered up some surprises - some good, some bad.

The #8 Peugeot won the intra-team battle for pole

Peugeot have taken this years qualifying by storm and when the chequered flag fell they occupied a very impressive 1st, 2nd and 3rd in LM P1. The Audis did begin to speed up towards the end of the session but pole is safe for the #8 Team Peugeot Total, Peugeot 908 HDI FAP driven by Lamy, Sarrazin and Wurz.

Terada is the third most experienced driver ever at Le Mans

The great veteran of this year's 76th edition of the mythic 24 Heures du Mans is clearly Japanese driver Yojiro Terada. Terada's claim to fame is his record 29 participations in Les 24 Heures du Mans. To this day, there are only two other drivers that precede Terada's record: Bob Wolleck and Henri Pescarolo.

Martin Birrane, Executive Chairman of Lola awarded with the prestigious 'Spirit of Le Mans' trophy

Huntingdon based marque also celebrates qualifying success as highest placed petrol powered LMP1 car

On Thursday 12 June, Lola Cars were honoured in the build up to this weekend's 24 Heures Du Mans, as company owner and Executive Chairman, Martin Birrane received the prestigious ‘Spirit of Le Mans' trophy. Collecting the award from the President of the ACO, Jean-Claude Plassart during the official function held at the famed ACO Museum at the Circuit De La Sarthe in Le Mans. Birrane now joins the highly acclaimed list of previous winners that include Paul Frere, Derek Bell, Phil Hill, Jacky Ickx, Tom Kristensen and Wolfgang Ullrich.

Peugeot fill the front row with the #9 in second

Peugeot
Audi
Porsche
Charouz
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This represents Corvette's first class pole at Le Mans

Corvette
Aston Martin
Spyker
Risi/Krohn
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The Felbermayr Porsche will line up second in GT2

Alex Davison
Pat Long
Allan McNish
Michelin
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The Pescarolos were strong in qualifying but could not match the diesels

Pescarolo
Larbre
Quifel-ASM
Harold Primat
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The #8 Peugeot ended up fastest after day 1 of qualifying

With the first part of qualifying now complete the Peugeots are definitely easily the fastest cars out there. They have totally dominated this session by showing astounding ‘out and out’ speed. To knock a few hundredths of a second off the fastest lap time is an achievement but to demolish the current lap record by 7.8 secs is amazing. The fastest of them all was the #8 Team Peugeot Total, Peugeot 908 HDI FAP driven by Sarrazin. He had been quick in testing but nobody expected this incredible performance.

The Peugeots were blindly quick in qualifying

Peugeot
Audi
Charouz
Corvette
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The Zytek powered Embassy is in 23rd after first day of qualifying

Zytek
Risi/Krohn
Spyker

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The first qualifying sessions proved to be 'solid' for Aston Martin

Aston Martin
Michelin
Allan McNish
ALMS Teams
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Former boss of Toyota Team Europe, the organisation behind the legendary Toyota GT1 Le Mans cars, Ove Andersson has died in a rally accident in South Africa.

Luc Alphand first came to Le Mans in 2001 and will challenge for class honours in 2008

Luc Alphand has made many a headline in his past, and it would appear as though he has far from finished. As a man who started out as a specialized downhill skier and who went on to win 12 FIS World Cup races in the sport, Alphand's successful transition to motor sport is right on track on he prepares to take on 54 other teams at the start of this year's 24 Heures du Mans.

Frentzen competed in 1992 at Le Mans and is now back with Aston Martin

This Saturday, German Heinz-Harald Frentzen will once again find himself at the starting line of the legendary 24 Heures du Mans, now in it's 76th edition. This legendary endurance test has been in partnership with Rolex as the Official Timekeeper since 2001 and this year marks the second time in his career that Heinz-Harald Frentzen will face up to the demanding challenge.

The Audi team in the traditional team photo

Ingolstadt/Le Mans – In Le Mans city centre on Tuesday, thousands of spectators followed Technical Scrutineering of the three Audi R10 TDI prototypes with which Audi Sport Team Joest will compete in next weekend’s Le Mans 24 Hours. This means the Audi squad is ready for one of the greatest challenges in motorsport.

Virgo should take the fight to the more experienced runners at their first Le Mans

The reigning Le Mans Series GT2 champions, Virgo Motorsport, head to France today for the Le Mans 24 Hour race, the first time that the team has taken on this ultimate sportscar endurance challenge. With an experienced driver line-up of Rob Bell, Tim Sugden and Tim Mullen, the team is hoping to be one of the class front-runners this weekend.

This is just a small sample of Michelin's products for this weekend

The Le Mans 24 Hours is a priority fixture for Michelin. This year again, a fleet of semi-trailers will haul some 8,000 tyres to the French circuit.

The final tyres come off the production line at the beginning of June before being trucked to La Sarthe early in race week.

"It was essential to be completely impartial with everybody." Henry-Biabaud

Here we are, on the eve of the most famous automobile track in the world, the Le Mans 24 Hours. For Michelin, this weekend holds a very special significance because we have just won ten consecutive victories in the 24 Hours and there is no doubt that this winning streak will continue. As I have already had the opportunity to emphasize, Le Mans is our battlefield.

Rob Bell returns to tackle the Le Mans 24 Hours race for the second time in his career. Driving with Virgo Motorsport, and the team’s debut at this eponymous event, he gives us the lowdown on the week ahead.

Nicolas Lapierre, who had to skip test day due to health issues, is still not on top form according to Team Matmut Oreca’s press release of Monday June 9. His replacement driver on car #6 will be Marcel Fässler, thus teaming up with Oliver Panis and Simon Pagenaud.

The Lucchini-Judd #30 will not racing at Le Mans in 2008

The trio of Italien rookies; Francioni, Geri and Ceccato were to share the prototype LM P2 entered by the Italian "Racing Box SRL". A problem with conformity was the reason for this sad news. The name of a possible reserve will be announced on Wednesday morning by the course director.

As part of Lola Cars 50th anniversary activities at the 2008 Le Mans 24 Hours, the Huntingdon-based marque will be staging a fitting tribute to the late sports car driver David Leslie, who tragically died in a plane accident this year that also took the lives of 4 other people. On Friday 13 June, David's son Graham will drive his father's Mark 1 Lola to head up the vast array of vintage and classic cars taking part in this year's Grande Parade des Pilotes, the official parade of the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Audi are out to defend their title...

There's little doubt that Audi will face the biggest challenge of its Le Mans career this week. Just ask anyone involved with Audi Sport, and they will confirm it. The second diesel showdown in the world's greatest motor race sees three R10 TDIs from the Audi camp matched up against a trio of diesel challengers from Peugeot, a year after Audi's 10-lap victory in a rain-soaked 24 Hours.

2008 represents Autocon's first Le Mans start

This is the first race at the 24 Hours of Le Mans for Autocon Motorsports but not the first for Bryan Willman and Chris McMurry. The two, who will drive the Autocon Creation-Judd prototype with team owner Michael Lewis, made their Le Mans debut in 2002 with Jeff Bucknum in a Team Bucknum Racing Pilbeam-Nissan but only lasted six hours before an engine failure. Nevertheless the Le Mans experience is one both are eager to relive this year.

The Corvette team has a lot of Le Mans experience to draw off

Corvette Racing's group of drivers for the 24 Hours of Le Mans has a record any team in the paddock would envy. The six pilots have combined for 144 class wins in the American Le Mans Series and 17 at Le Mans with Corvette Racing winning five times since 2001. Despite all the success, the memories, history and significance of Le Mans still resonate throughout the team.

Le Mans is the equivalent of 8 ALMS standard races, the Flying Lizard team, though is up to the task

It's not as easy as just one car at Le Mans compared to three in the American Le Mans Series for Flying Lizard Motorsports. No, we're talking about the 76th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans - a twice-around-the-clock classic enduro on one of the most demanding circuits in the world against sports car racing's best from all over the globe.

“A class victory in Le Mans is a huge success” Hartmut Kristen

Stuttgart. After its successes in the American Le Mans Series and the Le Mans Series, the Porsche RS Spyder is on the verge of its next great challenge: On Saturday at 3pm, the Weissach-developed and built sports prototype tackles the Le Mans 24 Hours for the first time. Hartmut Kristen, Head of Motorsport at Porsche, is relaxed about the debut at the world’s toughest long distance race: “I’m confident that we are very well prepared.”

The Van Merksteijn Porsche will have the pace if all the variables fall into line

Stuttgart. The Porsche customer teams are well prepared for the highlight of the sports car racing season. They contest the Le Mans 24 hour race (France) on 14/15 June with a total of five racing vehicles: two Porsche RS Spyder and three Porsche 911 GT3 RSR. Bringing the pair of RS Spyder to the classic are the teams of Van Merksteijn Motorsport (Netherlands) and Essex (Denmark), after having already won the first three rounds of the Le Mans Series (LMS) this season. The 476 hp Weissach-built sports prototype experiences a double premiere in Le Mans in front of an anticipated 200,000 spectators. It is its first race over 24 hours and the first time on this historic circuit.

The Le Mans Test Day has come and gone and typically, a number of rumours has come from it. This is what has been reported.

Audi will look to all their experience at Le Mans for another repeat win

On 14/15 June Audi starts for the tenth time in the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. For AUDI AG it is much more than just claiming a possible eighth overall victory in the French endurance classic: Quite probably the world’s hardest car race acts as test bench for new technology later used in street cars.

Cheng will be the first Chinese driver to compete at Le Mans

On June 14th, 2008 Cong Fu Cheng is going to make history as the first Chinese driver to ever race Les 24 Heures du Mans. The 23 year old may be young, but his name is already well known in his home country and Cheng, Frankie to his mechanics, is ready to race.

Harold Primat targeting best ever finish at Le Mans 24 Hours

Having seen the chequered flag at the Le Mans 24 Hours for the first time in 2007, Geneva-based Harold Primat is raising the stakes in 2008 as he searches for his best ever finish in the 91st edition of the historic race.

The new Dome made its Le Mans debut and was on the pace

There have been three main stories here at testing. The first has been the weather, the second the battle between Peugeot and Audi and thirdly two accidents that resulted in drivers having to go to hospital.

Having posted the second quickest time during the Official Test Day, Larbre Competition returns to Le Mans this weekend with the hope of challenging the works teams for honours in the GT1 category.

Corsa Motorsports' Johnny Mowlem will be driving the Creation Aim in P1 at Le Mans

Despite not having an entry in the famed 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Corsa Motorsports team will be well represented at the event next week. Team owner Steve Pruitt plans to attend the race activities, and all three drivers on the Corsa roster have secured rides with other teams. Gunnar Jeannette will share the wheel of the Radical AER (LMP1), Johnny Mowlem will team with Creation AIM (LMP1), and Ralf Kelleners, who will drive with Mowlem and Jeannette at Petit Le Mans, is in the Spyker C8 Laviolette (GT2).

Former Le Mans 24 Hour race winner Guy Smith returns to Le Mans to contest this year's legendary 24 Hour race next weekend (14-15 June).

Driffield-based Smith aged 33 last contested the world's "blue ribband" endurance sportscar race in 2004 when the Yorkshireman finished second -- one year after winning the French "classic" in a Bentley.

SIMONSEN SECURES LMP2 PROTOTYPE FOR LE MANS 24 HOUR
Last Sunday Allan Simonsen was having the weekend off. In the back of his mind however was disappointment.

Team Modena worked hard these last few weeks preparing the Aston Martin DBR9 for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The technical crew, led by Hans Muehlbauer, travelled down to the test day with the car in perfect and due form. On the other hand ideal weather conditions at Le Mans were not on hand. Intermittent rain and sunshine set the scene on an eventful training session, with several red flag interruptions. Team Modena's programme was also disrupted, because Jos Menten was unable to complete a single lap on a dry track.