Peugeot dominated the time sheets after the first day of on-track action at Le Mans. The three works cars led by Sebastian Bourdais and the semi-works ORECA car set the fastest four times in qualifying with the first Audi R15+ the Bernhard/Dumas/Rockenfeller car back in fifth place.

Despite efforts by race organisers the ACO to level the playing field, diesel cars dominated with the first seven positions.

Aston Martin led home the unofficial “petrol” division with the car of Mucke/Fernandez/Primat on top of the team’s second car with the team of Turner/Hancock/Barazi.

A surprise in P2 with the Staker HPD ARX of Watts/Kane/Leventis coming out on top of the Highcroft team HPD led by last years outright winner David Brabham.

Aston Martin topped the GT1 field with the Enge/Nygaard/Kox car on top of the Ford GT of Grosjean/Mutsch/Hirschi.

The Ford returned to the track after a big off in the first practice session with Romain Grosjean behind the wheel.

Third in GT1 was the first of the Luc Alphand Corvettes driven by Jousse/Gouselard/Massen who just edged out team-mates Policand/Gregoire and Hart.

They were only just clear of the first of the GT2 cars the Risi Competitione Ferrari of Bruni/Melo/Kaffer with the works Corvette of O’Connell/Magnussen/Garcia second.

The closeness of the times between the new era GT1 cars and the GT2 machines will provide yet another interesting side story in this fascinating race.

Australian based Danish driver Alan Simonsen was down in ninth place among the GT2 cars and 43rd overall.

Qualifying will continue tonight (Thursday) for the final grid positions with Friday the rest day and traditional driver parade through the city of Le Mans. (Tip: Get there very early)

For full coverage of the Le Mans 24 hour race tune in to Radio Le Mans

The race itself will be telecast in Australia on ONE as well as on Pay TV on Eurosport on both SelcTV and Foxtel.