Jackie Ickx started the race waving the French flag, and as it was to be expected, the performance of the Audi R8 LMP could not be matched. However, at the end of the first hour and for eight laps the race was surprisingly lead by Panoz’s front engined LMP-1 Roadster S. Eventually, the chequered flag was taken by car No.8 driven by Frank Biela, Tom Kristensen, Emanuele Pirro, followed by car No.9 (Aiello, McNish, Ortelli) and car No.7 (Alboreto, Abt, Capello) in second and respectively third place.