WARREN Hughes celebrated his return to Le Mans with a class win after 24 hours of blood, sweat and gears.

Hughes, from Sunderland, last raced at the prestigious event three years ago. He was signed up by British sportscar RML in May to race their MG/Lola prototype alongside Brazilian Thomas Erdos and Briton Mike Newton.

The trio, competing in the LMP2 category, the class just below the elite field, encountered numerous problems during their drive this weekend but overcame them to finish first in class and 21st overall.

A total of 12 cars started in the class but, with an extremely high level of attrition, only four finished and the technical problems that afflicted all of them meant they were well down the leaderboard.

Hughes, Newton and Erdos suffered a catalogue of problems including a complete gearbox failure, other gearbox problems, electrical headaches and finally a spin into the gravel trap.

The RML team were behind the Courage Ford of Paul Belmond but when he slowed they surged to the head of the class and held on to finish the race in first.

Meanwhile, Denmark's Tom Kristensen created history as he notched up a record-breaking seventh overall victory.

Kristensen brought home the Champion Audi car he was sharing with Marco Werner and JJ Lehto two laps ahead of the remaining Pescarolo of Emmanuel Collard, Jean-Christophe Boullion and Erik Comas.

The achievement broke the record Kristensen formerly shared with Jacky Ickx.

The second Champion Audi car driven by Scotland's Allan McNish, Emanuele Pirro and Frank Biela finished third, handing McNish his third career podium.

Reigning world rally champion Sebastien Loeb had his Le Mans dreams shattered after the Pescarolo car he was sharing with Soheil Ayari and Eric Helary retired from fifth place in the race with just over four hours to go.

Loeb had not long handed the car over to Ayari, who clipped the curb at the Playstation chicane before putting the car into the tyre wall.

Published: 20/06/2005