Denmark's Tom Kristensen has created Le Mans history by emerging on top from a titanic duel over 24 gruelling hours and equalling Jacky Ickx's record with his sixth triumph at the famous track
The Dane also became the first man ever to win the legendary French race five times in succession.
Japanese driver Seiji Ara had the honour of taking the chequered flag after an entire day of racing, with co-drivers Kristensen and Rinaldo Capello waiting to celebrate in the pits.
Johnny Herbert led home Audi UK's challenge in second place when a memorable English victory on French soil looked on the cards for so long.
The third-placed Champion Audi of Emanuele Pirro, JJ Lehto and Marco Werner was 11 laps down after 24 hours - the equivalent of around 35 minutes.
Herbert's team led as night fell yesterday but a suspension change combined with a crash and a stop-go penalty allowed the Japanese team to take the advantage.
But first Herbert, then teammates Guy Smith and Jamie Davies gradually clawed back time this morning, helped by a flash fire for the Goh Audi in the pits.
Ara got behind the wheel of his Goh Audi to take it to the finish while Herbert took over the Audi UK car.
Ara entered the final two hours with a lead of just under a minute, but with Herbert closing in.
The battle for the lead of Le Mans rarely stays alive into Sunday morning but the Audi pair set themselves up for a grandstand finish.
With just 45 minutes left Herbert looked capable of overhauling Ara before the 4pm finish but the Englishman struggled to maintain his pace.
Ara was able to hold the gap at just over 30 seconds and despite a last-gasp Herbert rally he hung on to become Japan's second Le Mans winner.
Former world rally champion Colin McRae took a top-10 finish on his debut. The Scot teamed up with Care Ferrari co-drivers Darren Turner and Rickard Rydell to finish third in their class.
Justin Wilson and Ralph Firman looked set for a top-10 finish despite a string of problems on their Racing for Holland Dome.
But Firman crashed heavily with less than 90 minutes to go and the pair - along with Tom Coronel - finished 19th.