Flying Lizard hour 12 notes

Le Mans 12 Hour Update

June 14, 2009 -- 03:00 CET -- Circuit de la Sarthe, Le Mans, France -- At the halfway point of the 24 Heures du Mans, the No. 80 is fifth in GT2. The No. 62 Risi Competizione Ferrari is in the lead (which they have held for much of the race), the No. 92 JMW Motorsport Ferrari is P2, the No. 76 IMSA Matmut Porsche is P3 and the No. 97 BMS Scuderia Ferrari is P4.

Over the last six hours, the GT2 field has spread out, with the top 5 cars now separated by nearly three laps, and a large gap between each car. The No. 80 has moved from sixth to fifth ^?- one of the few changes in the front of the GT2 field since hour seven.

Over the night, Darren Law and Joerg Bergmeister have traded off in the No. 80, each doing a double stint. The night session started out well as Darren took over from Seth Neiman, then Joerg taking over from Darren, and on fresh tires turning his fastest laps of the race.

The Lizards had hoped to make it through the night without incident, but at 00:40, just after midnight, Darren Law was hit by a slower Ferrari which turned into him as he overtook it in tandem with another car. The hit damaged the left front of the No. 80 Porsche, causing a tire puncture. By the time Darren made it back to the pits, he was down to a bare wheel and feared suspension damage. Luckily, there was no significant damage, and with new tires, he was able to rejoin. At 02:45, after a 2 hour and 30 minute stint, Law turned the wheel over once again to Joerg Bergmeister for one more double stint before Seth Neiman returns to the car for sunrise.

-credit: fl