Kristensen gunning for history at Le Mans

Dane Tom Kristensen could pass Jacky Ickx to become the most successful driver in Le Mans history with a seventh victory in the endurance classic this weekend.

Among those queuing up to prevent him claiming the record at the 73rd running of the world's most famous 24-hour race will be France's world rally champion Sebastien Loeb.

Kristensen, who won the race in 1997 and from 2000 to 2004, will drive an Audi alongside Finland's J.J. Lehto and Germany's Merco Werner.

Last year, Kristensen equalled the record held by Belgian great Ickx after shifting back from Bentley to Audi following his 2003 win with the British car.

There will also be reminders of less happy times at the Circuit de la Sarthe this weekend as the organisers commemorate the 50th anniversary of the most serious accident in the race's history.

On June 11, 1955, Pierre Levegh's Mercedes hit Lance Macklin's Austin Healey before flying into the crowd. Seventy-nine people died.

A commemorative plaque was unveiled last Saturday - a week before the start of the race - on the straight along the pit lane.

Thankfully, deaths have been rare in recent decades and the likes of Kristensen have instead made the headlines with the racing.

Meanwhile, Audi, who won four of the last five editions, will have to deal with new rules and a new face in Loeb in an all-French team for Pescarolo.