Bentley beats ART McLaren in Blancpain GT

The M-Sport Bentley squad moved to the top of the Blancpain Endurance Series after a thrilling "into the night" race at Paul Ricard.

Alvaro Parente took the pole-sitting ART McLaren into the lead of the race, while the Bentley – in the hands of Guy Smith – fought through from seventh on the grid.

The second stint turned out to be the crucial one, as Gregoire Demoustier took over in the lead McLaren and subsequently lost the lead to the charging Andy Meyrick.

Once Nicolas Lapierre took over from Demoustier for the final stint, he pressed Steven Kane as the sun went down. The gap ebbed and flowed while they dealt with lapping the slower cars, but Kane kept his nerve to take the flag 1.1 seconds clear of the chasing McLaren. The win also moves the car to the top of the championship heading to the Spa 24 Hours.

The battle for third place went down to the wire as well. There was a three-car train for the final podium spot, and ultimately in the closing laps Sergei Afanasiev stole the position away from his HTP Mercedes teammate Nico Verdonck.

The Mercedes had been followed for the final hour by the Sainteloc Audi. Gregory Guilvert did a magnificent job in an underpowered R8 to stay with the Mercedes, but ultimately could not find a way past.

Sixth place overall and the win in Pro-Am went to Henry Hassid and Nick Catsburg. Catsburg was especially strong in the TDS Racing BMW Z4, at points being the quickest man on the circuit.

A second-place finish in Pro-Am gives the championship lead to the Villorba Corse Ferrari of Francesco Castellacci, Stefano Gai and Andrea Rizzoli.

The Gentleman Trophy class was again won by the GT Corse by Rinaldi squad, continuing its unbeaten run in 2014.