MASSACRE AMONG THE LEADERS

 The Porsche works team lost its remaining car when no.26, which was a lap ahead, caught fire at 13h43 on the run in to Mulsanne with Ralf Kelleners at the wheel. Thus, the Joest Racing TWR Porsche driven by Alboreto-Johansson-Christensen found itself in the lead with a lap in hand over the no.41 McLaren of Gounon-Raphanel-Olofsson. The main question mark is how many times will the leaders refuel before the chequered flag. The only works McLaren was in third place.

 Just after 1 4h00, there was another upset when the no.39 McLaren in fourth place caught fire in almost exactly the same spot as the Porsche.
The Porsche GT1 entered by Schubel Racing was in trouble with cooling problems and was in its pit for repairs before going out at a much lower speed. This enabled the no.13 Courage to get within 2 laps and baring trouble, it should finish in fourth place. There was still hope in the La Filière camp as no.8 had its sights set on getting closer to the 333 SP Ferrari should the latter hace to stop for some extra fuel. However, caution is the watchword in the Filière camp as the car's road holding leaves much to be desired.
In the Nissan camp no.23, the only Nissan still in the race, had to have another gearbox change.

 In the GT2 Category, the Roock Racing entry no.74 in second place blew a turbo which dropped it 3 laps behind the leader. Finally, the Oreca team's hopes received another setback when Beretta went off in the no.61 Chrysler Viper as the car looked likely to finish in the first 3 in its category.