The Porsche GT1s take over from the Joest Prototype

 Around 18h18 the leading TWR-Porsche came in for a routine stop with a lead of over 35 seconds thanks to Michele Alborteo who handed over to Stefan Johansson. When the Swede went back out the 2 works Porsche 911 GT1s had gone ahead with no.26 Dalmas leading Stuck in no.25. The gap between the works cars and the Joest remained the same as refuelling stops followed one another thus it was obvious that the works cars had upped the pace and were lapping quicker than anybody else. The only car that looked capable of contesting their supremacy was the McLaren driven by Steve Soper which stopped at its pit and at 20h00 was still there some time later.

 The Nissans were also hit by various problems. No.21 stopped with clutch problems followed by no.22 and went out 20 minutes later after an oil radiator change. Both Saleen Mustangs were also in the wars and both David Price Panozes came in with fuel feed problems around 18h35.

 Apart from the Joest none of the other prototypes was able to follow the rhythm of the works 911s. Pescarolo went into the Tertre Rouge gravel trap in the La Fili�re entry at 1 8H45 and the highest-placed of the Courages was no.13 in 7th spot. The Ferrari 333 SP was back down the field after a brilliant start and the no.5 Kremer of Saldana-Rosenblad-Lassig was in 15th place. Franck Freon in the Mazda complained of a lack of top speed in the Mazda. At 20h00 the leading GT911s swapped places with no.25 only 4 seconds ahead of no.26 with the Joest Porsche not far behind ahead of a trio of Mclarens led by the no.41 Gulf entry of Gounon-Raphanel-Olofsson. The speed of the McLarens showed that during practice they had not shown their full potential and their lower fuel consumption could save them 3 or 4 refuelling stops which could prove decisive at the end.

 The Vipers still dominated in GT2 thanks to Archer-Ayari-Duez leading the 911 GT2 Porsches, the best-placed of which is the Jarier-Chereau-Lecont care. The Corvette stopped at Indianapolis just before 1 9H45 at the same:moment as the official retirement of the no.45 Lister (Lees-Needell-Fouche) was announced.