Audi hour two notes

Le Mans starts with mixed fortunes for Audi

Audi R10 TDI dominating opening phase of 24 Hours Accident prematurely ends race entry of the third R10 TDI

The 75th running of the Le Mans 24 Hours started with an impressive performance of the three Audi R10 TDI sports cars. As early as in the first corner, Dindo Capello took first position for Audi and continued to increase his lead.

The two other R10 TDI sports cars also recorded consistently fast lap times. Frank Biela and Lucas Luhr passed both "factory" Peugeots in the opening stages completing a 1-2-3 lead for Audi after just 30 minutes into the French endurance classic.

Rain showers caused extremely difficult conditions during the second hour of the race. The number 3 Audi R10 TDI fell victim to the bad weather conditions at 1632 hrs: Mike Rockenfeller lost control of his 650-hp diesel sports car in the rain at "Tertre Rouge", crashing backwards into the guard rails. The young German was not hurt in the accident but the damage to the rear of the R10 TDI was too extensive ending the race of the "rookie" Luhr/Premat/Rockenfeller team after just 23 laps.

At the two-hour mark, Dindo Capello, Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish enjoyed a one-lap lead at the wheel of the number 2 Audi R10 TDI. Last year's winners Frank Biela, Emanuele Pirro and Marco Werner were running in third position.

-credit: audi