Is this the calm before the storm? Maybe because if the teams have worked mainly in settings of early qualification, all have gone full out in the final minutes. Ultimately the #2 Audi, driven by Marcel Fassler had the fastest time.

Track dry and in clear weather, the 56 competitors began the first session of the second qualifying sessions. (19h-21h). The day began rather quietly, but the end of the session was eventful with the Peugeot #7 and #8 having improved, one after another over the #2 Audi.

LMP1: Nothing much at the beginning, but the final minutes were tense. A few seconds before the chequered flag, Marcel Fassler (Audi R18 #2) has set a 3'25''961 enough to get the jump on the two Peugeots. The 908, #8 then crossed the timing line just before the chequered flag and began a fast lap. The man from the Ardèche failed however by two tenths. However he managed to outpace the other two Audi R18. The Pescarolo-Judd managed 8th rank and first petrol prototype.

LMP2. The two Oreca-Nissan prototypes of Signatech, dominated the category, while there was caution on the side of Strakka Racing after the accident of Nick Leventis on Wednesday evening. In this category lap times improved more than a second.

GTE Pro. Yesterday BMW led the way, tonight is is Ferrari who set the fastest time. The crew of the 458 Italia of AF Corse dominated the official qualification, or at least the BMW M3 GT #56. Andy Priaulx in the other M3 GT partially destroyed his car during a violent accident.

GTE AM. Also a Ferrari at the front, the 430, #61, in the hands of Cioci has not done things by half in beating the Porsche of Proton by nearly a second and a half. Third, the Porsche, the #81 of Flying Lizard Motorsport.

Photo: 24 HOURS OF LE MANS 2011. Thursday, June 9, qualifying session. Marcel Fassler (Audi R18 #2) set the fastest time of the session on the final lap.