Denmark's Tom Kristensen created Le Mans history today by emerging on top from a titanic duel over 24 gruelling hours. Kristensen equalled Jacky Ickx's record with his sixth triumph at Le Mans and wrote a new page in the history books by becoming the first man ever to win the legendary French race five times in succession.
Japanese driver Seiji Ara had the honour of taking the chequered flag after an entire day of racing, with co-drivers Kristensen and Rinaldo Capello waiting to celebrate in the pits.
Johnny Herbert led home Audi UK's three lions to second place when a memorable English victory on French soil looked on the cards for so long. Several hours before England took on France in their opening game of Euro 2004, Herbert - and co-drivers Guy Smith and Jamie Davies - flew the cross of St George valiantly but fell just short at the last.
Essex driver Herbert and Yorkshireman Smith have won previously at Le Mans but for Yeovil-born Davies today's result represented a heartbreaking miss, with just 41.264 seconds between the English trio and their Goh Audi rivals after 379 laps, over 5,000 kilometres.
The third-placed Champion Audi of Emanuele Pirro, JJ Lehto and Marco Werner was 11 laps down after 24 hours - the equivalent of around 35 minutes.
Filed by Barry J Whyte
