Chrysler Team Oreca 08.00 report

Chrysler Team ORECA is steadily making its way towards the front of the field with one of the team's two remaining Chrysler LMPs. Pedro Lamy, Olivier Beretta and Karl Wendlinger have had a water pump change overnight and are currently fourth overall.

The second Chrysler LMP, that of Ni Amorim, Seiji Ara and Masahiko Kondo, lies ninth after having two start motor changes, losing around 40 minutes in the pits. The team was forced to retire the third Chrysler LMP, that of Yannick Dalmas, Stephane Sarrazin and Franck Montagny.

"We are two thirds of the way through the race and we are on target," said ORECA director Hugues de Chaunac. "We have two cars in a good position and while I am still cautious, I think that the team is doing a very good job. We are in a good position for this time of the day, and I think that we have given a show what we are capable of. I am happy but I know there are eight hours left to run."

Amorim stepped aboard the number 14 Chrysler LMP for his morning stint. "I have only had an hour's sleep, but that is better than nothing," said the Portuguese. "I never usually sleep during the race because I am too excited and too stressed. I spun a few times last night when the track was very difficult to drive on, but then I drove again during the night and it was alright."

-www.chrysler-motorsports.com