Broken gearbox signals game over for Zonda.

Despite a very promising second qualifying session and a good warm up, the gorgeous, but very new Pagani Zonda GR retired from the Le Mans 24 Hours after only 11 laps, the team's second early exit in two major 2003 endurances.

As at the Sebring 12 Hours in March, Carsport stalwart Mike Hezemans was at the wheel for the traditional 4pm start and the rapid Dutchman quickly gained a place and was lapping very well around the classic 8.45-mile French road course.

However before the clock had reached 4:30pm, Hezemans had to pit with steering problems, dropping the dark blue liveried machine to the tail of the 49-strong field.

The mechanics solved the problem, and David Hart took the wheel. The former Carsport FIA GT Championship driver was lapping quickly as he chased the places lost by the early pit stop.

However just as the car was settling into a rhythm, on lap 11 the gearbox broke, possibly due to the extra hot conditions seen at the French circuit on Saturday afternoon. Hart was able to coax the exotic looking machine back to pit lane and the Carsport mechanics checked the problem.

But after having heard the crew report, the team management decided not to continue and, as was the case at Sebring, the car was one of the first to be officially retired.

The team's third driver, Anthony Kumpen, did not get the chance to drive and was left standing alone in the pits, the car's retirement paling in comparison to the news he received on Friday evening that his good friend Jan Vanhelmont had been killed in a car accident.

After assessing the data gathered during the Le Mans week, the team will now decide whether or not to enter the Spa 24 Hours event, where it would compete in the special invitation class.