8 Hours
16 Hours
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8 Hours
IMSA Performance Matmut running in the top 3 after first third of the race Eight hours into the race, Team IMSA Performance Matmut remains in the top three of the GT2 category. The #76 Porsche 997 GT3 RSR currently holds third place in the class, two laps behind the leader. The driver line-up of Pilet-Long-Narac led the classification after four hours, but conceded some time during a pit stop to fix a mechanical issue. Meanwhile, problems have hit the sister #70 car, with Horst Felbermayr Jr having stopped out on track. Although the car is stranded a long way away from the pits, the team's early diagnosis is a transmission problem.
Franck Rava:
"We had a little concern at the beginning of the evening when a ring got detached from the restrictor and created a problem with the tightness of the airbox. It is a shame as this cost us two laps and all the benefit we reaped from our strong early race strategy was wasted. We have only completed the first third of the race though so there is no need to panic. We have a very good rhythm and the car remains comfortable to drive. Our two Patricks (Long and Pilet) will probably do triple stints in the early hours of the morning if necessary, but we will decide this later. It seems like our second car has a serious issue with its transmission. There are only two Porsches left in the GT2 class at the moment and ours is the best placed of them. That means we have some responsibility on our shoulders."
Patrick Long:
"I drove a good first double stint on the same set of tyres this afternoon. Previously only the Ferraris had been able to do that, but now, thanks to the excellent work of Michelin and Porsche, we are capable of doing so as well. Tonight, all went well and I am very happy. However, I am extremely annoyed at the aggressive behaviour of the LMP1 and LMP2 cars. They are taking unbelievable risks and it's the first time I have seen this kind of thing happening at Le Mans! Hopefully we'll have a good night with no worries, but now I'm going to sleep before waking up later to drive a triple stint."
16 Hours
The second third of this year's Le Mans 24 Hours has proven less straight forward for the IMSA Performance Matmut team. Third after the opening eight hours, the Normandy-based squad has dropped down one further position during the night to fourth in GT2 as morning breaks over La Sarthe. With eight hours to go until the finish, Patrick Long, Raymond Narac and Patrick Pilet are three laps behind the class-leading car. For the three men, hopes of victory have not disappeared entirely, although their cause remains hampered by the #76 997 GT3 RSR Porsche's continuing clutch problem which has forced the trio to be extra cautious with the gearbox. At this stage of the race, only two Porsches remain classified, with all hopes now pinned on the #76 to break Ferrari's stranglehold at the front. The team's second car (#70) is still to make its way back to the pits. Only then will accurate conclusions be drawn as to the reason for its retirement.
Franck Rava:
"We raced through the night without major dramas, although the remaining car is still suffering from a minor clutch problem. There is a loss of pressure in the clutch system which is forcing us to breath it at every second stop. This is necessary as without it, we risk creating further, significant damage to the gearbox. Despite this, Patrick Pilet was still able to complete a very good double stint this morning. Before the race, we knew that any small hick-ups would have severe consequences thanks to the ultra competitive nature of the GT2 class. It will be difficult to win, that is certain, but anything can still happen, especially when you consider that we've got 30% of the race still left to run. We will of course do everything to try and secure at least a place on the podium."