Sportscars Features

The Charouz Racing Systems Lola Aston Martin is the first front-runner to hit major problems in the Le Mans 24 Hours after a huge off for team owner Jan Charouz.

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.

The Charouz Lola Aston Martin emerged as one of the stars of qualifying for the Le Mans 24 Hours after Stefan Mucke managed to split the diesel cars on the grid for the French classic.

LMP1:

1. Lamy/Sarrazin/Wurz Team Peugeot Total Peugeot 908 HDi 3m 18.513s LMP1 2. Klien/Montagny/Zonta Peugeot Sport Total Peugeot 908 HDi 3m 18.682s LMP1

TO WATCH THE VIDEO OF NODA'S ACCIDENT, CLICK HERE

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.

1. Biela/Pirro/Werner Audi Sport North America Audi R10 TDi LMP1 2. Capello/McNish/Kristensen Audi Sport North America Audi R10 TDi LMP1

The late David Leslie is to be honoured in Lola's 50th anniversary celebrations at this year's Le Mans 24 Hours.

Marc Gene has admitted that he felt he could be about to die during his high-speed accident during testing to the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Stuart Moseley showed just why the Barazi-Epsilon team had taken a punt on his abilities for the forthcoming Le Mans 24 Hours by setting the team's fastest time in pre-race testing after just four dry laps in the Zytek 07S.

Alex Davison will join a select band of Australian drivers to have taken part in the Le Mans 24 Hours when he lines up for the event next month as part of the Felbermayr-Proton team.

With veteran Jamie Campbell-Walter sidelined by the injury he sustained in practice for Monza's Le Mans Series round, the Creation-AIM team has opted for proven experience in selecting its drivers to partner regular pilot Stuart Hall at Le Mans.

Flying Lizards Motorsport has packed up shop and headed for Europe as preparations continue for the Le Mans 24 Hours next month.

Embassy Racing has announced its driver line-up for the 2008 Le Mans 24 Hours, with Warren Hughes, Jonny Kane and Joey Foster set to share driving duties in the lone WF01 entered into the race.

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.

by Russell Atkins Though he may have switched across to sportscars in 2008 following a year's sabbatical from driving, former Formula 1 star Olivier Panis' habitual bad luck seems to have tracked him all the way from the top flight.

by Russell Atkins TO LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW IN FULL: CLICK HERE

by Russell Atkins TO LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW IN FULL: CLICK HERE

by Russell Atkins TO LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW IN FULL: CLICK HERE

Harold Primat and Christophe Tinseau took a superb last-gasp podium finish at Monza as the Pescarolo Sport team emerged as the leading petrol runner in the second round of the Le Mans Series.

Fresh from a first win of the season at Monza, Team Modena has announced its driver line-up for the 2008 running of the Le Mans 24 Hours.

by Russell Atkins TO LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW IN FULL: CLICK HERE

Stephane Ortelli has escaped with only a broken ankle following a horrific high-speed accident in the late stages of the second round of the Le Mans Series at Monza.