Pirelli brilliant but unlucky behind the Audi Domination

The Audi R8 Sport cars dominated the 68th Le Mans 24 Hour event putting 3 cars on the podium and thus demonstrating what their total command of the race. But behind them, until the 21st hour of race, there was the Pirelli-fitted Cadillac NorthStar of the DAMS Team, development and racing partner of General Motors in Europe.

Unfortunately this dream, a 4th final place behind the Audis, was then lost due to technical trouble, first with electrical problems, then suspension failure.

However, despite some disappointments, Le Mans proved a significant demonstration of both the pace and reliability of the Pirelli PZero racing tyres. When they were running, both the Dams Cadillacs and the Courage-Judd put in some very competitive times and ran immediately behind the Audis.

Also in the other classes Pirelli-shod cars came to the fore, the Multimatic Team Lola-Nissan won the LMP2 class and the Team Skea Porsche finished 3rd in GT3. Tragically the Pirelli-shod Porsche of Haberthur Racing lost its second place in GT3 on the final lap after 24 hours of racing!

Le Mans, 19 June 2000