1st qualifying: Peugeot 1st but Audi takes a hit..

This was the first full qualifying session and it will begin to possibly effect grid positions. There is a chance of rain tomorrow (Thursday) so it was important that teams posted some competitive times as well as making sure all their drivers had qualified for the race.

Three teams will have their work cut out to make tomorrows final qualifying. Most important of which is Audi. They have a big repair job getting the #1 Audi Sport Team Joest R18 TDI back into shape after an unfortunate accident when Romain Dumas came upon the stricken #60 Gulf AMR Middle East Aston Martin broadside across the track in the dark. Neither Dumas not Goethe were injured but the red flags came out and the session was delayed. Right at the end of the session the #42 Strakka Racing HPD ARX 01D had a major 'off' at the Dunlop Curves with Nick Leventis driving. It was a big impact that ripped a large part of the rear of the car off, but Leventis was OK.

The traditional 'see who can get to the top of qualifying' battle looked to be well fired up but unlike free practice it was the #8 Peugeot Sport Total Peugeot 308 that emerged 0.906 secs ahead of the nearest Audi. Dr Ulrich however told everybody that Audi were not really trying and there was more to come and that Audi were not worried..after all they did fill the next three places ahead of Peugeot.

Despite crashing out the #42 Strakka Racing car leads LMP2 ahead of the #26 Signatech Nissan.in 3rd place is the Team Oreca Matmut Oreca 03 Nissan. In LM GTE Pro category BMW lead with the #56 BMW GT ahead of the ##51 AF Corse Srl Ferrari 458 Italia driven by ex Formula star Giancarlo Fisichella and then the normally laid back American Corvette team who tend to take a while to 'warm up'. In LM GTE Am the stunningly painted #81 Flying Lizard Motorsport Porsche 911 RSR is just behind the similar Labre Competition car #70.

It was a thrilling session spoiled by damage to two front running cars ..