Audi leads the Le Mans 24 Hours at the three hour mark after a dramatic start to the 76th edition of the race that saw main rivals Peugeot run into problems at La Sarthe.
Peugeot rebounded from its problems in the opening three hours of the race to hold the top two positions at the quarter distance point in the 76th running of the Le Mans 24 Hours.
Frank Biela has admitted he is unsure whether Audi will be quick enough to prevail in the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours for the eighth time in nine years this weekend, confessing that he was 'annoyed' by the speed arch-rivals Peugeot demonstrated in qualifying.
Tom Kristensen insists he is pleased to not be entering the Le Mans 24 Hours as the favourite for once this year, suggesting that by stealing all of the headlines, Peugeot have also taken away from Audi all of the pressure.
Peugeot maintained its 100 per cent Le Mans Series record with a third win of the 2008 endurance season at Spa-Francorchamps, setting the French squad up for its assault on the 24 Hours in June.
Portugal's Miguel Campos, the first driver to be selected to represent the BFGoodrich Drivers Team this year, was given an opportunity to test the Kronos Racing-run Peugeot 207 Super 2000 near Faro, Portugal, on Monday.
Pedro Lamy and Stephane Sarrazin have taken victory in the second round of the Le Mans Series at Monza but only after a late race incident between Lamy and Audi driver Mike Rockenfeller.
Pedro Lamy and Stephane Sarrazin have taken victory in the second round of the Le Mans Series at Monza but only after a late race incident between Lamy and Audi driver Mike Rockenfeller.
Ferrari development driver Marc Gene says he has reason to believe that Renault will be more of a force come the opening round of the Formula One world championship than its testing performances suggest.
The full season entry list for the 2008 Le Mans Series has been revealed, with 50 cars set to take part in the five-event calendar during the season ahead.
Following the result of the China Rally, the final round of the IRC, this weekend, Enrique Garcia Ojeda and his manufacturer, Peugeot have officially won the 2007 IRC championship titles, in the drivers and manufacturers' categories respectively.
The Peugeot's of Markko Martin and Marcus Gronholm have finished fourth and fifth on the Monte Carlo Rally - but the team was unlucky to miss out on their best result in the Principality after a dramatic end to the event.
Peugeot boss, Corrado Provera has revealed that he reckons the team have two of the 'best drivers of the moment' in the shape of Marcus Gronholm and Markko Martin.
SS7 - Helena South 1 (17.31 kms): Gronholm fastest through SS7; Loeb second; Rovanpera third; Duval fourth; Warmbold fifth; Atkinson sixth; McRae leads the PCWRC; Gronholm leads the overall event by 21.1secs. Stage times and overall standings after SS7.
The championship outcome may well already be settled but there is still one final battle to come, and that promises to be a particularly thrilling affair given that the main contenders will be free to drive flat out, with no pressure or team considerations weighing in the balance.