Second win for Peugeot 908 HDI FAP

Following its win at Monza three weeks ago, the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP showed the same winning form in Valencia. It was, however, this time the turn of Pedro Lamy and Stephane Sarrazin to finish in first place after leading practically from the start without the slightest problem.

In a repeat performance of their success at Monza, both Peugeot 908 HDi FAPs qualified on the front row of the grid. It was Marc Gene with his local knowledge at the wheel of the No 7 908 HDi FAP that took pole position by just 0.441s from the No 8 car driven by Pedro Lamy.

On race day the No 7 car driven by Nicolas Minassian started from pole position, but was quickly passed by the No 8 car driven by Stephane Sarrazin. With no fewer than 45 cars on the track, the two 908 HDi FAPs started to catch the backmarkers as early as Lap 4 and, after that, spent their time weaving through the traffic round the twisty 4 km Valencia circuit.

Even having to deal with the traffic the gap between the two cars never exceeded 20 seconds until the safety car was sent out on lap 121 following a tangle between two cars. The two cars took the opportunity under the safety car to refuel and Pedro Lamy chose to stay on the same tyres, while Marc Gene preferred to fit fresh rubber. This made it possible for the Spaniard to home in on his team-mate, prompting a spectacular battle between the Peugeot pair. Gene finally succeeded in passing, but he did so under yellow flags and later received a stop-and-go penalty.

By lap 160, Marc Gene was beginning to complain about a problem with the clutch which was slipping more and more. When Nicolas Minassian took over the car at the next stop, the Frenchman only did a few more laps before the clutch failed for good, and the car was retired. This left the second 908 HDi FAP with a lead of almost three laps over the next car and was able to cruise home to a secure victory as the flag came down after six hours of racing (the maximum duration for an LMS round) before completion of the 250 scheduled laps.