Sportscars Race Reports

At 1845 on Saturday night, the Gulf Oil challenge for the 2001 Le Mans 24 Hours ended when the Johansson Racing R8 retired with engine problems.

The French Motorsport Federation Viper will has lost its battle to rejoin the Le MAns 24 Hours, after being involved in the early race crash at Porsche Curves.

Biela regains advantage when Brundle pits for fuel in Bentley. MG of Blundell stunning before pit-stop. Champion Audi back up to 4th after off track excursion while Johansson back out in Gulf Audi, albeit four laps behind.

Heavy rain less than 15 minutes into the start of the 2001 Le Mans 24 Hours could have decided the fate of at least a dozen contenders after a major pile up through the Porsche curves that claimed amongst others, Stefan Johansson's Gulf Audi.

Martin Brundle has taken the lead for the returning Bentley marque under pace car conditions when Laurent Aiello made a lengthy pit-stop under caution but the race has already ended for Ray Rowan's Pilbeam operation.

Johnny Herbert may have seen his Formula One dream flicker and die last year, but he is back in the hot seat this weekend at Le Mans.

Bentley's return to Le Mans for the first time in more than 70 years has created a whirlwind of enthusiasm, expectation, and a sense of another successful chapter of Bentley's long history about to be opened.

Le Mans 24 Hours 2001 - Qualifying times.

Rinaldo Capello repeated his Le Mans trials feat and pipped Audi team-mate Tom Kristensen to pole position for the 69th edition of the Le Mans 24 hours, but it took a last session effort to dislodge the Dane.

LMP 675 Class MG Lola EX257 Car 34 1st 3:40.243 MG Lola EX257 Car 33 2nd 3:42.476 Car 34 Drivers: Anthony Reid, Warren Hughes, Jonny Kane

Just days before the all-new MG Lola sportscar launched its attack on the 24 Hours of Le Mans, members of the MG Owners Club joined Lola to participate in a procession of historic MGs through the streets of Lola's home town Huntingdon.

A total of 23 cars will be riding on Michelin tyres at Le Mans this year, as the French manufacturer fields runners throughout the sportscar classic's field.

As expected, Audis dominated the first two qualifying sessions for this weekend's Le Mans, with only the Johansson example missing out on the party.

French single-seater convert Xavier Pompidou has replaced compatriot Patrick Lemarie in the second Ascari entry for Le Mans.

Ricardo is helping British team PK Sport to prepare the only UK-based GT3 Porsche 911 RS entry for this year's Le Mans 24 Hour race.

If you want to compete in the world's greatest sportscar race, you first have to acquire one of the extremely rare world's greatest sportscar race certificates of eligibility....

Johnny Herbert will be closely monitoring what he eats in between driving his 220mph Audi at Le Mans this weekend, after being deprived of his moment of glory ten years ago.

Since its introduction to the motoring press in August of 2000, the Saleen S7 has managed to captivate a broad range of enthusiasts and racers alike.

After a decade of worldwide touring car success and an increasing presence in rallying, Ray Mallock Ltd [RML] is returning to endurance racing in which its reputation was made in the 1980s.

Racing drivers have long been considered hot stuff but, with fire an ever present spectre in the sport, that is one thing they don't want to be...

MG is making an historic return to Le Mans to compete in the world-famous 24-hour endurance race on Saturday and Sunday June 16/17, 2001.

Back in the 1920s, crash helmets were only ever worn by racing motorcyclists and, even though a few motor racing drivers made early adaptations, head protection was not widespread for many years - at Le Mans this year, crash helmets will add to the colour and spectacle of the annual 24 Hours.

The MG Lola Le Mans sports car - EX257 - was again critically tested by drivers Mark Blundell and Julian Bailey at Snetterton Race Circuit on Tuesday May 22, and by Anthony Reid and Warren Hughes at MIRA on Wednesday May 23, 2001.

The latest addition to the Speedvision '24-Hour crew' is three-time Le Mans participant Allan McNish, who joins a list of racing luminaries in the commentary box.