New records for Michelin tyres at Le Mans

(Paris – June 06, 2010) The N°1 Peugeot 908 HDi FAP completed four stints (46 laps) in the hands of Anthony Davidson. The average lap time during the Briton's run was 3m21.917s for a distance of 627km at an average speed of 243kph.

"It's the first time since 2007 that a Peugeot has completed a quadruple stint in daylight at such a high average speed," points out Serge Grisin, the manager of Michelin Competition's four-wheel programmes. "It shows how consistent and quick Michelin's endurance tyres are…"

The 78^th running of the race also saw the winning, Michelin-equipped N°9 Audi R15 TDI establish a new distance record (5,410.71km) for the 24-hour marathon. The German car used 11 sets of tyres during the race, which works out at an average distance of almost 500km covered by each set. In 2009, the winning N°9 Peugeot HDI FAP used 14 sets of tyres to cover 5,206km.

Thanks to the work carried out by Michelin to enhance the durability of its tyres, the winning car used 21% fewer tyres and covered 200 kilometres more.

"Michelin also achieved its objectives by winning the LMP2 class thanks to the triple-stint strategy of the Strakka Racing HPD-ARX 01c," adds Serge Grisin. "Michelin claimed the LMGT2 class, too, with the Porsches and Ferraris double stinting, while the Corvettes even triple stinted on the same tyres."

The 2010 Le Mans 24 Hours saw Michelin secure its 13^th consecutive win in the French endurance classic, taking its total score to 19 outright wins since 1923. Michelin runners also won all four classes (LMP1, LMP2, LMGT1 and LMGT2).

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