The nr7 Toyota TS030 lost its hard won lead after a number panel light failed to illuminate and the team were forced to pit to repair the offending item. Nicolas Lapierre finished the third hour in 5th place and four laps behind the leading nr1 Audi of Benoit Treluyer.
In the LMP1 Privateer and LMP2 class battles there was little change at the top as the race reached the halfway point. The Rebellion Racing Lola of Nicolas Prost is third overall and leading the LMP1 Privateer Class by nearly one lap ahead of the nr21 Strakka Racing HPD of Jonny Kane. The nr32 Lotus Lola of Vitantonio Luizzi pitted at the top of the hour from the LMP2 class lead, just ahead of the nr49 Pecom Racing Oreca of Luis Perez-Companc and the nr44 Starworks Motorsports HPD of Tom Kimber-Smith.
In the GTE Pro class the battle between Ferrari, Porsche and Aston Martin raged, with the nr51 AF Corse Ferrari holding the upperhand at the top of the hour, but the nr97 AMR Vantage of Stefan Mucke had completed three stops to the two stops completed by his three rivals.
In the GTE Am class the nr88 Felbermayr Porsche was leading the class with Christian Ried in 19th overall. The nr57 Krohn Racing Ferrari, which had been leading the class at the end of the second hour, had completed one extra stop with Tracy Krohn taking over the driving duties from Michele Rogolo.
Jeff Carter
Track Data
Air t° :32.1°C
Track t° :36.7°C
Wind :NW at 1.6 kph
Humidity :68%
Michelin Green X Challenge Top 3 at the end of Hour 3
2-1-21
RACE FACTS – HOUR 3
17:08:28 The circuit is now in full night mode as we go into the third hour
17:10:32 Gap between Wurz in Toyota #7 and Lotterer in #1 Audi, now down to 12 seconds
17:11:47 Problems for Krohn Racing Ferrari #57 - into pit box from 3rd place in class
17:15:44 Spin for #23 Signatech Nissan at turn 11 - rejoins
17:17:49 In comes #7 Toyota for routine stop. Fuel and visit to pit box - Nose off
17:19:48 #1 Audi takes the lead with #7 Toyota stuck in pit garage
17:21:09 Appears to be the illuminated numbers on side of #7 Toyota being changed
17:25:39 Toyota #7 rejoins having lost 4 laps
17:29:03 Leading #1 and second place #2 Audi into pitlane after a 27 lap stint
17:34:13 Could this be a podium opportunity for LMP1 privateers or will Toyota fight back with 3h25 remaining?
17:37:05 Although night has fallen, the air temperature is still a very warm 32.4°C
17:40:45 Long stop for 4th place #13 Rebellion Lola - over 5 minutes
17:43:58 The battle on track for the lead of LMP2 between Belicci in #32 Lotus and Liuzzi in #49 Pecom Racing Oreca - 0.6s apart
17:47:39 Early stop for #2 Audi after only a few laps - Fuel and tyres
17:48:40 Right rear puncture was the reason for Kristensen's early pitstop
17:55:38 Battle for 4th place as Jonny Kane in #21 Strakka is approached by Nicolas Lapierre in #7 Toyota performing his climb-back.
17:59:19 Leading GTE Pro AF Corse #51 makes a routine stop. Sister car #71 takes lead
18:01:35 At half distance Audi #1 leads overall from #2. Pecom #49 leads LMP2
