At 1:30 p.m., the first qualifying session rendered its verdict. With a time of 3’50.258 - which would have placed the car ahead of the LMGTE Pros yesterday evening at the qualifying sessions - DKR Engineering's #3 Norma M30-Nissan clinched pole position.

At the green light, Alexander Toril kept his advantage and held the lead for some time before being hit by a competitor. Then the #18 Ligier JS P3-Nissan snatched first position followed closely by the #19 Norma M30-Nissan driven by Yann Ehrlacher (driver in the World Touring Car Championship, WTCC) and the #48 Ligier driven by Peter Kox who has participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans 13 times. After the driver changes at mid-race, the #2 Ligier JS P3-Nissan entered by United Autosport took the lead and never let go. The car won the race ahead of Yvan Muller Racing's #18 Ligier JS P3-Nissan and RLR M Sport's #14.

The GT3 race was just as intense. Gulf Racing UK's #20 Porsche 911 GT3R, a team also entered in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, scored the pole and took off in the lead. Very quickly the car spun in the Indianapolis curve and allowed IMSA Performance's #76 Porsche to snatch first position, with Raymond Narac at the wheel ahead, of the #8 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 and the #5 Mercedes AMG GT3. After the driver changes, the Spirit of Race team's #95 Ferrari took the lead and kept it through the finish. However, having failed to comply with a penalty incurred for excessive speed in the pits, the car was penalized by 41 seconds which dropped it back to third place. In the end, TF Sport's #97 Aston Martin V12 Vantage, winner of the GT3 Le Mans Cup last year, won ahead of the #7 Mercedes and the #95 Ferrari. 

The second Road to Le Mans race will serve as a curtain-raiser to the 24 Hours of Le Mans this Satruday at 11:30 a.m.

PHOTO (Copyright - Adrenal Media): The #2 Ligier JS P3-Nissan won the first Road to Le Mans race. The United Autosport team has entered a Ligier JS P217 (#32) in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.