LE MANS LOWDOWN; The 2007 French enduro looks like another classic.(Peugeot S.A. and Audi AG)

Byline: GARY WATKINS

Can Peugeot beat Audi in the turbodiesel battle for Le Mans supremacy?

Over one lap, probably. Over 24 hours, almost certainly not. Peugeot has modest expectations for its Le Mans return after a 13-year absence. At the January launch of the 908 HDi turbodiesel coupe, the manufacturer's top brass talked of possibly scoring a podium behind a couple of Audi's R10s. By the time the car started racing-and winning-in the European Le Mans Series in April, Peugeot Sport team manager Serge Saulnier had set his sights on a Le Mans win.

After two false starts, Peugeot nearly completed a Le Mans distance test at Paul Ricard in early May. But Saulnier maintains he would be confident only if the 908 had "completed two tests of at least 30 hours.''

The 908 has speed, however. That became clear as soon as the Le Mans Series began. Peugeot won the opening races at Monza and Valencia, though one of its cars ran into major problems each time, and Audi doesn't run the R10 in the series.

Peugeot topped the times in the official Le Mans test during the first weekend of June (see Competition), courtesy of some quick laps at the end of the day by three-time Champ Car title winner Sebastien Bourdais.

But it is unwise to read too much into the 908's pace. Audi played its cards close to its chest and did not go for times when the track was at its quickest.