The American teams had a particularly rough ride at Le Mans this year, beginning with the Michael Lewis/Autocon Lola-AER which failed to complete a single lap.

Three laps later, it was the turn of the Jaguar RSR to drop out with engine trouble. And after three hours of racing, it was all over for the N°80 Flying Lizard Porsche, too, when the car picked up radiator damage. Despite the fitment of a replacement, the ensuing overheating problem could not be cured.

At one o’clock in the morning, after a long, thrilling clash with the N°64 Corvette for the lead in LMGT2, the N°82 Risi Competizione Ferrari was forced out with a gearbox problem. Gimmi Bruni had qualified this car on pole before it was dropped to the back of the grid because of an illegal gurney flap, putting an end to the team’s bid to claim a third consecutive LMGT2 success. The squad’s other Ferrari disappeared at 6am Sunday (engine).

The factory Corvettes led the LMGT2 standings at daybreak but retired in quick succession soon afterwards, the N°63 with an engine problem and the N°64 sister car following a tangle with the N°1 Peugeot.

The Drayson Racing Lola-Judd spent a great deal of time parked up in its pits (suspension, fuel feed) and failed to complete the necessary 70 per cent of the distance covered by the winner and was consequently not classified.

Last but not least, the HDP-ARX 01c of reigning ALMS champions Highcroft Racing was the only American-run car to figure in the official classification, in 25th position. Drivers Brabham, Franchitti and Werner were involved in the fight for LMP2 honours until they were delayed by a puncture and an overheating engine issue. The N°26 HPD spent much of the latter part of the race in its garage before being brought out again a few minutes ahead of the chequered flag to cross the line at slow speed.

24 Hours of Le Mans