All eyes on the prize - the Le Mans 24 Hour race trophy
Grey's Anatomy actor Patrick Dempsey (right) gets some last-minute pre-race tips from Nigel Mansell
Ferrari chief Luca Cordero di Montezemolo gets the 77th Le Mans 24 hour race under way
French driver Franck Montagny is among the early pace setters
Scotsman Allan McNish will hope to help Audi maintain their impressive record in the race
As dusk descends on the circuit, Montagny continues to lead the way
Race workers stand by the wreckage of French driver Benoit Treluyer's Peugeot 908
The yellow flags are out to warn drivers of crashes around the Circuit de la Sarthe
Stephane Sarrazin's Peugeot 908 is refuelled as the racing continues long into the night at Le Mans
Around 250,000 spectators are expected to watch the race, although only the hardcore fans stay through the night
Sun rises with the Ferrari of Tracy Kroh, Nic Jonsson and Eric van der Peole still in the race
The Aston Martin 007 team performs well, coming home a creditable fourth
But Audi's five-year domination of the race ends as the team, which won last year and features McNish, comes home third
Peugeot break Audi's hold and end their own 16-year drought without a victory when Marc Gene, David Brabham and Alexander Wurz take the chequered flag having completed 382 laps
Peugeot also take second place and the French manufacturer's one-two delights the pit crew and fans alike
The last thing to do is spray the obligatory bottle or two of champagne as the the leading drivers celebrate their achievements
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