Carnage as rain strikes Le Mans.
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.
The opening 30-minutes of the 2001 Le Mans 24 Hours will long be remembered for a fourth lap accident that could well have eliminated up to a dozen cars as torrential rain turned the sweeping last section of the historic 8.45-mile La Sarthe circuit into little more than a skating rink.
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.
The opening 30-minutes of the 2001 Le Mans 24 Hours will long be remembered for a fourth lap accident that could well have eliminated up to a dozen cars as torrential rain turned the sweeping last section of the historic 8.45-mile La Sarthe circuit into little more than a skating rink.
Although no official retirements have been listed, the Gulf Johansson Audi, the Ray Rowan run Pilbeam, John Graham's Dick Barbour run Reynard-Judd, the Konrad Saleen, the FFSA and Larbre entered Chrysler Vipers all loom damaged beyond repair.
Drivers involved in the main accident are reporting that they simply came across a large puddle and began aquaplaning into each other.
The pace car has now been deployed with Laurent Aiello leading.
