Le Mans 3rd placegetter disqualified

The car driven by Nelson Piquet Junior, that finished third at the Le Mans 24-hour race has been disqualified after failing technical checks.

The third-placed Vaillant Rebellion car driven by Brazilian Nelson Piquet Junior, Denmark's David Heinemeier Hansson and Switzerland's Mathias Beche has been disqualified from the Le Mans 24 Hours standings after technical checks.

The second tier LMP2 team intended to appeal, organisers added on Monday - a day after the race finished at the Circuit de la Sarthe.

The disqualification means that the Jackie Chan DC Racing number 37 car driven by China's David Cheng, France's Tristan Gommendy and Britain's Alex Brundle moves up to the podium place.

That would be a double for the LMP2 team backed by the Hong Kong action movie star and stuntman, whose other car finished second behind winners Porsche.

The Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) said in a statement that technical marshals had found a modification to the number 13 car's bodywork that was not in compliance with the rules.

Media reports said a hole had been made to give access to the starter motor without having to remove the engine cover and rear bodywork.