Approaching the halfway stage of the race Toyota are starting to stretch away and frustrate their pursuers with their pace and poise. With no change in the first four positions the race was settling in to a pattern that suited the TS040 HYBRID cars from Japan.

If the race was static at the front there were more than enough fireworks to keep the passionate crowds entertained in the small hours in the LMGTE Pro class

Aston Martin, Corvette and Ferrari remained entwined in a brilliant duel for the lead in with the three manufacturers running often still nose-to-tail.

The Aston Martin Vantage was emerging on top, with Bruno Senna fighting off pressure from Tommy Milner in the Corvette C7.R and Tony Vilander in the Ferrari 458 Italia, to hang onto the lead.

“I’m most happy about the pace we seem to have in the car,” said Milner. “Now it’s about being patient and running laps. I don’t want to get too anxious. Before the race, I thought we wouldn’t have the pace; that we would have to run laps and stay out of trouble. That part still holds true.  That’ll be the biggest thing. The guys have already made good strategy calls so let’s see how that holds up.”

Finn, Vilander was the first to try a move on Senna, his Ferrari 458 looming large in the Brazilian’s mirrors before an attempt to get past cost traction and allowed Milner, who had held station in third; close up behind the pair as they fought over second place.

As Vilander dropped back, the Chevrolet Corvette C7.R hammered on. The Aston Martin  repelled the American time and time again, and while the gap reached two seconds at one point, it was less than half that for the bulk of the fight.

In the LMGTE Am category it was another Aston Martin in front as the #95 Poulsen/Heinemeier-Hansson/Thiim piloted car led the way. The Dempsey Racing sat in sixth position, still in a position to challenge for a potential podium position in their Michelin-shod Porsche 911 RSR.