Aston Martin Racing nine hour report

Aston Martin Racing Le Mans GT1 class lead extended

The Aston Martin Racing DBR9 driven by Tomas Enge had extended its GT1 class lead to more than a minute as the 24-Le Mans race passed third distance at 1am today.

Tomas, with co-drivers Peter Kox and Pedro Lamy, was also seventh overall, the highest placing by either of the cars so far in the event.

The second DBR9, number 59, was undergoing a regular pit stop as the ninth hour was reached, at which point it was fourth in class and twelfth overall.

The progress of car number 59 was affected by three time penalties incurred by Darren Turner for course infringements. In the first instance the car had a stop-go penalty, then three minutes in the pits for each of the second and third infringements.

It is highly unusual for a driver to incur three such penalties, particularly one as experienced as Darren, and he is still trying to understand the circumstances that led to the third penalty.

Before taking over from Darren for a driving stint, Stephane Sarrazin commented: "We have some work to do, but there are still fifteen hours to go."

Stephane described the night driving in front of his home crowd as "something special," adding: "As it got dark it was amazing with so many cars on the circuit."

-amr-