Matt Bell, whose rain tyres were not proving much grip in the drying conditions after the earlier heavy rain storm, crossed the line just 0.117s ahead of the no11 Eurointernational Ligier of Joey Alders, with the no8 Graff being given a 43 second penalty and classified in third.
- The no4 DKR Engineering Duqueine-Nissan of Jean-Philippe Dayraut started at the head of the 16 car LMP3 field but problem on the first lap had the French driver heading to the pits at the end of the opening lap.
- The no2 United Autosports Ligier of Rob Wheldon took the lead from 2nd on the grid.
- The no20 Team Virage Ligier of Rob Hodes spun across the track at the entrance to Turn 3, spearing the car into the path of the no18 1 Aim Villorba Corse Ligier and one other car, causing irreparable damage to the no20 and no18 Ligiers and spreading debris across the track. The Safety Car was deployed to recover the two stricken cars and to clean the track.
- At the restart the no2 United Autosports Ligier was in the lead with the no19 Cool Racing Ligier of Nicolas Maulini in second and the no3 United Autosports Ligier of Andrew Bentley in third.
- Colin Noble in the no7 Nielsen Racing Ligier had started 13th but was making massive progress up the field. After 20 minutes of racing the Scot was up to third, just 1.9 seconds behind Maulini’s Cool Racing Ligier.
- Two laps later Noble was into second place and then took the lead from Rob Wheldon after 36 minutes of racing.
