Allan McNish became the first Briton to drive a diesel engined sportscar to victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours today (15 June) when the Scotsman’s Audi scored an emotional and hugely popular win. The victory earned the 38-year-old Scotsman his second Le Mans career win – 10 years after his previous triumph in the French classic – and the German manufacturer’s eighth victory since their début in 1999.

McNish, co-driven by Italian Dindo Capello and Dane Tom Kristensen, swept their weather-stained Audi R10 TDI home over four minutes ahead of the second-placed car having completed 381-laps, 3,227 miles at an average speed of 149.34mph. Their success, in front of a record crowd of 258,000 – including an estimated 70,000 British fans – came despite a late scare when Kristensen was hit causing a spin with two hours remaining and changeable weather conditions causing a slippery track surface in the last hour which combined to make it a classic event.

“I’m overjoyed to have finally won the Le Mans 24 Hours for Audi,” said an ecstatic McNish. “I’ve come very close on numerous occasions in the past but despite fierce opposition from start to finish, some of the most demanding and difficult track conditions I’ve ever raced in, and totally unpredictable weather, I’ve finally done it”. – 15 June 2008