Le Mans 24 Hours - Race Report - Hour 6

20:01 LMP1: Toyota lead Le Mans  - Lapierre taking the lead on the grass on the exit of Muksanne Corner - some chopping and weaving employed to prevent an attempted retake from Treluyer

20:05 LMP1: SAFETY CAR - A big accident at Mulsanne Corner as Davidson in the #8 Toyota clips the #81 AF Corse Ferrari of Perrazzini, The Toyota flips over mid air and impacts the road with the left rear corner before a big impact with the tyre barrier and armco - Perrazzini too crashes heavily, the car deforming the armco and ending up behind the Toyota and upside down, both drivers are seemingly OK - It seems certain, despite an attempt by Davidson to effect some sort of repair, are out of the race

20:06 LMP1: Davidson, after initially waving away medical help is being attended to by the medical team

20:08 GTE Pro As we settle in for probably a lengthy safety car, Fisichella stops immediately and Toni Vilander takes over the #51. Westbrook now leads, with Fernandez second and the AF Corse car third.

20:13 LMP1: Must say that was some aggressive driving from both Lapierre and Treluyer, the two French drivers not giving each other any space. Only interrupted by this safety car - after a huge shunt.

20:15 GTE Pro The Aston makes another stop to take advantage of the caution and also take the opportunity to change all four brake discs.

20:16 LMP1: Marc Gené meanwhile back out in the #3 Audi. 11 minutes and 14 seconds inlap + 26 minutes and 34 seconds pit stop. That is a quick repair - but a lot of time lost for Audi.
LMP2: OAK Racing cars swapped the lead. #24 pitted, #35 has gone into the lead.
LMP1: The two leading cars #7 Toyota and #1 Audi pit at the same time - followed by the #4 Audi.

20:17 LMP1: Safety car on the pit straight, which means the pit exit is closed. Audi #1 first in line - he has regained the lead in the pit.

20:17 GTE Am The #81 Ferrari becomes the first confirmed GT retirement. Christian Reid pits from third and drops behind the IMSA Porsche.

20:18 LMP1: Nick Leventis (Strakka Racing) is now 5 seconds ahead of the Audi #3

20:22 Given the damage to the barrier at the Mulsanne Corner - this could well be a very long safety car period. The wrecked cars are currently being removed, then they have to move the tyre barrier and then replace the armco...before putting the tyres back.

20:25 LMP2: The #31 Lotus now stopped at the first chicane - continued.

20:26 LMP2: #40 Race Performance Oreca-Judd pitted - new front bodywork installed on the Swiss car.

20:27 GTE Pro The Aston is back out after its stop with Fernandez still at the wheel, now in sixth place.

20:32 Repairs at Mulsanne Corner are expect to take at least another 30 minutes.

20:39 Meanwhile the race director is reminding the drivers to respect distances when behind the safety car.

20:42 GTE Am Matt Griffin has confirmed to Jay Ashton that Perazzini is fine, but the Irish driver is gutted that his first Le Mans is over before the night.

20:42 Reports that Anthony Davidson is conscious and aware...but complaining of backpain. Not a surprise given the force of that accident. Waiting for official confirmation though.

20:46 Eurosport has just spoken to Piergiuseppe Perazzini. He confirmed seeing the #8 Toyota in his mirrors, but didn't expect it to pass him that quick - misjudged the distance in his mirrors and the speed of the Toyota.

20:51 Repairs on the barrier at Mulsanne Corner expected to be finished at 21.15. 24 minutes from now.

20:53 GTE Pro As the end of the sxith hour approaches the order is Westbrook (#74 Corvette), Vilander (#51 Ferrari), Henzler (#77 Porsche), Magnussen (#73 Corvette), Farnbacher (#59 Ferrari), Fernandez (#97 Aston), Wills (#66 Ferrari), Cioci (#71 Ferrari) and Holzer (#80 Porsche).

20:54 LMP1: Examination of the video reveals that the #8 Toyota lost a right rear wheel in the initial impact with the #81 Ferrari. That allowed the car to sit the car to sit down on 1 side and air then got underneath the front corner and sent it airborne.

20:57 GTE Am The order is Canal (#50 Corvette), Montecalvo (#58 Ferrari), Pons (#67 Porsche), Aguas (#61 Ferrari), Jonsson (#57 Ferrari), Ried (#88 Porsche), Illiano (#83 Ferrari), Bourret (#70 Corvette), Palttala (#55 Porsche), Curtis (#75 Porsche), Neiman (#79 Porsche) and Poulsen (#99 Aston)

20:57 GTE Am: Team manager of the AF Corse #81 Ferrari 458 Italia is to report to the race director immediately.
LMP2: Heinemeier-Hansson pits - and drops to fourth.
LMP1: Shutters down on the Toyota #8 garage. The fourth official retirement after the #29, #16 and #81.