2003 Le Mans

Le Mans, France (bM) The 71st 24 Heures du Mans is finished and it is a Bentley 1-2, Audi 3-4. VAG sweep the podium for, what, the fourth straight year? It's quite a shame that the No 8 Bentley suffered from so many issues while the No 7 did not. The No 7 was the "hired gun" car of sorts, the No 8 was all-English (save for David Brabham who was born in the UK but is Australian and whose fire suit is mistakenly stitched with the Union Jack). Bentley dumped Butch Leitzinger and Andy Wallace to pick up Tom Kristensen and Dindo Capello. No one is doubting the speed from the former works Audi drivers but given the previous drivers did ALL the development and except for Guy Smith only to be dumped for the "prom" well it just isn't right and tarnishes their victory in my opinion. All the same, worldwide it will be seen as a victory for the little manufacturer from Crewe; no matter who was driving or who owns Bentley. Maybe rightfully so, certainly the Brits in the stands loved the win. But John Hindaugh of Radio Le Mans brings up a good point, will as many Bentley flags be seen 10 years on, as Silk Cut Jaguar flags are seen now? To do that, Bentley must stay around and race as did Jaguar.

One thing to think about with the performance by the No 7 Bentley. The official hourly press releases from the ACO indicates that the No 7 Bentley led at every hour. Certainly a strong performance.

The battle for fifth did not disappoint. At the end it was Panoz, RfH Dome, Courage Competition.

There was a big incident involving the second RfH Dome a spectacular crash at Indianapolis saw the car swap ends, side-swipe the barriers, almost blow over, then have a serious impact with the tire wall. Sadly they did not make it back for the finish.

675 made it but just. The lead Reynard having such a margin on the others that they were in danger of not being classified for being too many laps down. A last hour double check by the Noel del Bello team helped to close the margin. Sadly the DBA-Zytek had the speed but simply too fragile.

As much as the overly sensitive Speed TV commentators would like to think there was a problem with the GTS leading No 88 Veloqx Prodrive Ferrari, the crew was simply bringing it in for a polish. Easy to do since they have a 17 lap lead. The 550 was looking its best (considering!) at the stroke of 4.

GT was a cracking affair all day. The Porsches had uncharacteristic troubles, but as there is strength in numbers, there were still some 911 GT3R's to mop up the class. Alex Job/Peterson having a 6 lap margin at the end over Orbit. A bit of a surprise to see Thierry Perrier in third.

2003 RACE BRIEFING

Hour 1: One lap in and the 50 Corvette is already into the pits. They changed the ECU which failed to have an immediate effect on the "flat" engine; but its running now. Hmmm, the Vette's gameplan was reliability. Could it be a long day for the GM boys? First stints are always short at Le Mans, just wanting to make sure you get the MPG figures correct. The first Bentley was in at 35 mins past the hour. Maybe 40-50 minute stints this year. Just before the top of the hour a TVR put it in the wall at the exit of the Porsche curves. No word yet on damage. Leaders are 7 Bentley, 8 Bentley, 5 Audi Japan; GTS 88 Ferrari; GT 93 Alex Job Porsche.

Hour 2: News this hour revolves around the Audi Sport UK entry. Evidently an Audi R8 can go 15 laps on a tank of petrol but not 16. The British Racing Green trimmed car ends the race at Arnage 1:55 into the 24 hour race. Oops. The bio-ethanol fueled Cosworth/Reynard is also stopped with a gear selection problem related to the effect of heat on the engine. Something about a bit not matching under the hot conditions. The TVR from hour 1 was the victim of a hit and run by an unknown entry. Damage is somewhat heavy and prognosis is questionable. Still 7, 8, but now Champion Audi in third.

Hour 3: Alternator problems on the DBA-Zytek 675 car, issues also for the Intersport MG/Lola. Problems are the norm for this class it seems. The LMP 900 Norma loses a tire on the Mulsanne and limps around. Not like this car is slow enough. Audi are easily double-stinting tires and will probably triple stint come nightfall. Proto--Bentley/Bentley/AJ, 675--29 Noel Del Bello Reynard 2KQ, GTS--Ferrari/Ferrari/Corvette, GT--Job/Buckler/Taisan Advan

Hour 4: Let's see. Speed TV has switched to coverage of F1, and RadioLemans' servers must be driven by hamsters. Needless to say it's a bit difficult to get an update on what has happened in hour four. A 15 lap stint in the Champion Audi back in hour 3 was offset by an unscheduled stop for tires. Up front it is still 7 Bentley then a 2 minute (according to ACO website...is that right?) gap to the 8 Bentley, then AJ and Champion followed by the 15 Racing for Holland Dome in 5th. Bentleys are routinely lapping 2 to 3 seconds faster than everyone else. They're must do so to make up for extra time in the pits. No. 11 Panoz in sixth, 13 Courage, 18 Pescarolo, 12 Panoz, and Riley/Scott in 10. GTS is a Ferrari whitewash, no. 88 then 80 (both Prodrive) then the Luc Alphand 550 in third. Lead Corvette already a lap down. The troubled 50 Vette had a collision with the 16 Dome at Arnage, both continued. The Pagani was the the first official annouced retirement, though the TVR that was shunted in Hour 1 actually stopped first.

Hour 5: Return of coverage from Speed. Let's catch up on some action... Champion took an extra stop for a puncture. They're putting in flyers trying to catch up. A Safety Car period halfway through the fourth hour was for fluid between Mulsanne and Indianapolis. The No 7 Bentley was able to get away from behind his Safety Car (there are three that are dispatched each time) a minute before the No 8 which is what produced the surprising gap. Both Audi's a lap down on the Bentley's; the Dome is 2 more from Audi. No. 7 lead over 8 is ~1.5 minutes. It appears that the Prodrive Ferrari's have a misfire low in the rev range. At least this is the case with the 80, though the hood has been off the 88 as well. The Racers Group Porsche is in for a new clutch, though the Alex Job Porsche has had trouble too. This is the primary reason the Taisan Advan entry is so high (class leader at one point?). Racers Group and Alex Job definitely faster though with niggling problems.

Hour 6: Dusk at Le Mans, and the race 1/4 gone. There was a press release from the Audi Sport UK team about their unfortuntate entry. Driver Frank Biela was at the wheel when the R8 ran out of fuel. He stated that he was attempting to pass a Panoz when the reserve fuel light came on. In the moment he was caught out by the surprisingly speedy Panoz (surprising to him only, evidently) and missed the entry to pit road. Game Over. Riley and Scott back on pace after an earlier suspension failure. Hovering in the 10th position. Will need some help from other teams (like running out of gas?) for a podium. Plugging along in all classes. Champion now thrid overall, the only other change in the top ten being the 13 Courage and 18 Pescarolo Courage swapping 7th. Both Panoz still in the top 10 (6 & 9). The Intersport Lola/MG now leading 675 after the Reyand/LehmanVW had some rear upright issues (I think). The 53 Corvette has managed to get back to 3rd in class, still a lap down. The 50 Vette now sorted through it's issues but 2 laps down on the sister car. Alex Job leading GT once again. 95 total laps completed.

Hour 7: Another hour passes, this one with few dramatics. It's a "night" race now for those of you who might remember a silly rule that involved mandatory head/marker/taillight use upon such declaration. Not positive if it's still on the books... Audi's going with 15 lap stints, Bentley 14. Champion now triple stinting tires; strategy definitely playing out now. Lead Bentley with a lap on sister No. 8 at the end of the hour, and nearly another lap on 3rd place Champion. Not positive but this is probably due to the timing of pit stops at the end of the hour and will work itself out when the No 7 stops (may already have). Prodrive Ferrari still 1-2 in GTS, Vettes are 3-5.

Hour 8: Midway through the hour Speed Channel drops their coverage. It's a loss in that no more video from the track, but the amount of information has been absolutely dreadful. As soon as night fell and the shots became more of "headlights in darkness" Speed started running pre-taped feature-ettes. Like the race stops during the night. They still have yet to give a comprehensive rundown of who has dropped out other than flashing the car number on the screen, once. There is no "ticker," no viewer email "Speedline," no strategy or otherwise specific interviews. Basically their coverage has been completely fluff. The coverage will dramatically improve when they switch to "insomniac" coverage where Radio Le Mans is played on top of the video. Those boys know the deal, and really know how to keep the viewer informed. My other beef is with the absolute lack of attention of the announcers to the race. Sure, it must be tough to host a show, commentate, and follow the action. But Bill Adam JUST noticed the steam that has been emanating from the Corvette for AT LEAST the past two hours when the Vette hits the pits. And this would be after Adam said the 50 Vette engine didn't have the power to properly start out of the pits. Apparently he was eager to assume a serious problem when the Vette came in on lap 1 when, in fact, the Vette simply has a tall first gear. When the VIEWER knows more than the "Professional"...well that just isn't right. Sadly the race is over for TVR. The first car was out in Hour 1 with the shunt. The second car has retired after being stranded on the back of the circuit with the differential issue. Sad time really, even the Morgan past halfway last year. The No 15 and lead Racing for Holland Dome has struck problems and falls to sixth, will follow-up. Total time in the pits: #7 Bentley 8:48 #8 Bentley 9:52 #5 Goh Audi 9:58 #6 Champion Audi 10:18 #11 Panoz 11:44 #13 Courage 12:18 #15 Dome 12:43 #4 R&S 18mins 27 secs #12 Panoz 16:27 #16 Dome 48:02 #9 Dome 1 hour 07 mins #14 NASAMAX 1 hour 56 mins The lowly Norma continues to have problems. "The Norma left from a routine stop and was followed by a trail of oil approximately equivalent to the amount contained in the Ford’s crankcase. The crew got on the radio and the driver halted a mere 100 meters down the road from where the crew pushed it back directly into the garage." Compliments of dailySportscar.com.

Hour 9: Kondo Dome in for a gearbox change and drops even further down the chart. The 11 Panoz is in the gravel at the first Mulsanne chicane after hitting some debris; it loses 5th to the 15 RfH Dome (whose earlier troubles involved a puncture). Bentley continues to pull away. Quite the fight in 675 between the del Bello Reynard, Intersport Lola, and DBA-Zytek. But the DBA has hit the pits with more problems; if this car had some development it might could take the fight to the LMP 900's. The 53 Corvette is in for a new oil pump belt. Sadly it takes them over 15 minutes and they drop to fifth in class behind their teammate. Most definitely not the reliable run the GM boys were looking for, but isn't it expecting a bit much for a GM to be reliable? Job leads GT.

Hour 10: The Riley and Scott has an off at the hands of Jim Matthews and shreds the front bodywork (not clear whether from a tire or impact). No 7 Bentley leads by 2 minutes over the sister car, one lap on the Champion car. But remember, its the end of the race where it could all come together for Champion--not having to make that extra fuel stop in comparison to the Bentley. The Intersport Lola/MG has lost a motor, their race is finished. That's a perfect record for MG 675 car at Le Mans, they've never finished. According to Ron Fellows it was an alternator pulley problem with the 53 car. And I must admit, poor Ron looked beat when he climbed from the C5R, you sense that the Corvette boys might have been caught out by the pace of the Prodrive Ferraris and their own lack of durability. It is Corvette that looks like the 2nd year team. The previously class leading Alex Job Porsche is in the garage for a new radiator. Team Taisan Advan with three Japanese drivers assume the lead. Lucas Luhr confidently projects they'll take the lead in about 4 hours on pace alone.

Hour 11: Up front it is still No 7 Bentley, 8 Bentley, Champion, Audi Japan, RfH Dome, 11 Panoz, 13 Courage, 18 Pescarolo Courage, 12 Panoz, and 17 Pescarolo, which is prety much the same except when the Panoz stuck it in the kitty litter. However there was a big shakeup in the GT class. The Team Taisan Advan entry has struck problems (something about the drivers door) allowing the ACEMCO Ferrari 360 into the lead for the first time. Shortly thereafter though, while heading down the Mulsanne, the engine grenages. What a shame for the wonderfully prepared American entry. This put Alex Job back in the lead but they have to pit yet again to replace another radiator--the same one they just slapped in! Orbit Racing is the car now in the class lead.

Hour 12: Halfway home. The Audi Sport Japan/Team Goh pits for over 3.5 minutes. Not positive whether there was a rear-end/gearbox change but the team were preparing for such. The lead RfH Dome is still trying to take the fight to the VAG juggernaut and with some help will threaten for a podium spot. The 675 battle, well isn't. Reynard/VW lead over the one circling WR as the DBA/Zytek continues to suffer with fragility. If three cars make it home it'll be a shocker. In fact one of the WR's has dropped from the time screens, no word yet if it will GTS still sees 88 over 80 Ferrari. If they make another 12 hours it will be one heck of a coup over the Corvettes. Sadly, given the history of GM, they'll probably pull the plug on the Corvette program rather than really take up the fight. Just look at the defunct Cadillac program...which brings up a quote from the head of Bentley US. "Real car makers go racing instead of to golf tournaments." Wonderful dig at Caddy, that. The race in GT is a cracker. Alex Job Racing has the pace on Orbit, but the Orbit team has been more reliable. The Frech Thierry Perrier team now third. 1) 7 Bentley 192 2) 8 Bentley -1:19.608 3) 6 Champion Audi -1L 4) 5 Audi Sport Japan -7L 5) 16 RfH Dome/Judd -8L 6) 11 Panoz -10L 7) 13 Courage -10L 8) 18 Pescarolo -11L 9) 12 Panoz -12L 10) 17 Pescarolo -13L

Hour 13: Sadly the witching hour for the No 80 Ferrari. Anthony Davidson at the wheel when it has a major impact at the end of the Mulsanne. No word as of yet on the cause. Davidson was just bruised and slightly shaken. The Spyker attempts a comeback after a lengthy gearbox change. It is wheeled back into the garage after failing to fire.

Hour 14: No real developments that I could gather from the Radio Lemans broadcast on hamster driven servers. The 88 Ferrari has made it to 10th overall though.

Hour 15: Niggling issues for several cars. The No 8 Bentley was in for a new battery as was the Champion Audi. The gap to second is a lap and change; three laps to third. Those wishing for the true Bentley Boys victory will need the No 7 to have some issues of their own. Still no pictures of the accident involving the No 80 Ferrari. Perhaps something will be shown at some point of the supposed very hard hit. The Radio Le Mans commentators continue to poke fun at Anthony Davidson for wadding up a car he derogatively termed "easy to drive." Sportscar folk don't like F1 hotshoes putting down their stuff. Corvettes are 2 and 4 in class and single stinting tires. Orbit leading again in GT.

Hour 16: Same cast up front, No 7 Bentley continues to lead over the sister No 8. Champion remain nearby but hardly challenging. GTS is also the same, No 88 Prodrive Ferrari leads by 4 laps over the 50 Corvette. The Luc Alphand Ferrari has an off and then needs a halfshaft. GT is a terrific affair where the Alex Job Racing Porsche with factory driver Sascha Massen retakes the lead over gentleman racer Leo Hindery. As always at Le Mans, these two Porsches are well matched and giving a wonderful battle.

Hour 17: Well don't say that the Audi Sport Japan entry has given up the ghost. Jan Magnusses sets its fastest lap of the race and also fastest Audi lap of the race. Other teams, though, are finding it more difficult. The Riley and Scott retires with an expired engine. As does the NASAMAX bio-ethanol car, the Cosworth unit calls it a day. The lead Dome suffers its second rear tire puncture putting Jan Lammers in the kitty litter at Indianapolis. Their nearest competitor, the No 11 Panoz also spins and fails to capitalize. Also, word comes down that the No 80 Prodrive Ferrari crashed due to a failed wheel bearing.

Hour 18: The No 8 Bentley pits at an unscheduled time for a new battery, its second. Lehto puts the Champion Audi in the gravel trap at the first chicane on the Mulsanne. Unfortunately the Corvette team is bit with the trouble bug again. The best Vette pits for 15 minutes for a new transmission bearing. The No 88 Veloqx Prodrive Ferrari has a massive 8 lap lead and must suffer trouble to lose. AJR Porsche gets a lap up on the Orbit Porsche, and will probably grow unless they suffer more difficulties.

Hour 19: Panoz is the primary beneficiary of the troubles to strike the RfH Dome. It's a new nose for the Dome, and then a new battery. The second task is evidently quite difficult on the Japanese made car and the RfH entry falls down the leaderboard. 675 continues to be the Reynard, this class is once again a battle of who doesn't want to win. Will they even have enough finishers for a podium celebration? Lead in GTS is 18 laps for Prodrive. AJR has a three lap margin on Orbit.

Hour 20: A Pescarolo is stopped on course purging a bit of fluid at the rear. Maybe a bit of overflow, it's tires this car desperate needs, but it does head into the garage. The 16 Dome delaminates a tire and shreds some carbon bodywork. The Safety car is dispatched to clean up the bits. Tom Kristensen does a quadruple stint in the No 7 Bentley, all on the same tires. The head of Audi Sport UK (whose car retired very early on) admits that a quad-stint is something the Audi's definitely could not have dealt with. Panoz now to fifth, which would match its best finish ever. Will is make it? 17 lap lead for Prodrive. Vettes on the same lap and 53 now to second in class over the 50. Four lap lead for AJR.

Hour 21: Safety Car period during this hour, bunched the field behind the three Corvette C5 pace cars. The caution was brought out for a fully engulfed Ferrari 550 Maranello a la the Prodrive car last year. But it wasn't the Prodrive unit this time rather the GT class machine. Video of an incident with the No 12 Panoz shows a pretty tough hit on the left front; day over. The remaining Panoz is having a dandy fight with the lead Courage Competition Judd powered car for fifth. With the Corvette battleing each other for 2nd in GTS there is still reason to watch, of course!

Hour 22: Definitely the home stretch now as only a normal-length ALMS race remains. The Panoz Courage battle continues with the No 11 Panoz having the edge at the end of the hour. The Vette battle is simply too close. GM says they're letting the boys hash it out but you have to wonder...

Hour 23: The Champion Audi required another new battery and there was a bit of drama trying to get it to refire. It still keeps a narrow margin over the Audi Japan entry. The battle for 5th overal now includes the No 11 Panoz, the No 13 Courage, and the No 15 RfH Dome. This will surely be a battle to the finish. One must think what the Panoz could have done with Brabs and Mags at the wheel and a proper factory program. To be so close to the podium, it might be that the combination of driving talent (maybe Brabs, Mags, and Papis--now THAT would've been a line-up!) and developments gained from being a works team would've been enough. The battle for best of the rest in GTS is currently in favor of the 50 Corvette, but it will depend on pitstops and the last hour to determine this battle. Make no mistake, Ferrari has sent a shot across the bow and if Corvette don't show up with a seriously renewed effort they'll continue to get smoked. One must think that the C6 can't get here soon enough.

Hour 24: The 71st 24 Heures du Mans is finished and it is a Bentley 1-2, Audi 3-4. VAG sweep the podium for, what, the fourth straight year? It's quite a shame that the No 8 Bentley suffered from so many issues while the No 7 did not. The No 7 was the "hired gun" car of sorts, the No 8 was all-English (save for David Brabham who was born in the UK but is Australian and whose fire suit is mistakenly stitched with the Union Jack). Bentley dumped Butch Leitzinger and Andy Wallace to pick up Tom Kristensen and Dindo Capello. No one is doubting the speed from the former works Audi drivers but given the previous drivers did ALL the development and except for Guy Smith only to be dumped for the "prom" well it just isn't right and tarnishes their victory in my opinion. All the same, worldwide it will be seen as a victory for the little manufacturer from Crewe; no matter who was driving or who owns Bentley. Maybe rightfully so, certainly the Brits in the stands loved the win. But John Hindaugh of Radio Le Mans brings up a good point, will as many Bentley flags be seen 10 years on, as Silk Cut Jaguar flags are seen now? To do that, Bentley must stay around and race as did Jaguar. One thing to think about with the performance by the No 7 Bentley. The official hourly press releases from the ACO indicates that the No 7 Bentley led at every hour. Certainly a strong performance. The battle for fifth did not disappoint. At the end it was Panoz, RfH Dome, Courage Competition. There was a big incident involving the second RfH Dome a spectacular crash at Indianapolis saw the car swap ends, side-swipe the barriers, almost blow over, the have a serious impact with the tire wall. Sadly the did not make it back for the finish. 675 made it but just. The lead Reynard having such a margin on the others that they were in danger of not being classified for being too many laps down. A last hour double check by the Noel del Bello team helped to close the margin. Sadly the DBA-Zytek had the speed but simply too fragile. As much as the overly sensitive Speed TV commentators would like to think there was a problem with the GTS leading No 88 Veloqx Prodrive Ferrari, the crew was simply bringing it in for a polish. Easy to do since they have a 17 lap lead. The 550 was looking its best (considering!) at the stroke of 4. GT was a cracking affair all day. The Porsches had uncharacteristic troubles, but as there is strength in numbers, there were still some 911 GT3R's to mop up the class. Alex Job/Peterson having a 6 lap margin at the end over Orbit. A bit of a surprise to see Thierry Perrier in third.