French sport car star Franck Mailleux has today confirmed his continued partnership with the Signature racing team, which will see him participate in this year’s Intercontinental Le Mans Cup in a Nissan-powered Signatech LMP2 car.

Signature has today announced its high profile collaboration with Nissan Europe which will see the Japanese automotive manufacturer embark on a two-year partnership with the French racing firm through supply of its NISMO VK45V8 engines.

Franck has been a long-term member of the Signature team, dating back to the Formula 3 championship in 2008 and continuing over the past two seasons with increasingly competitive performances in the Le Mans Series LMP1 class.

Franck helped Signature to the Vice Championship title in LMS last season with a number of podium results. For Franck, this new partnership with Nissan will result in an exceptional technical co-operation that will provide a strong platform for his continued participation in international motorsport in the LMP2 category of the ILMC.

Philippe Sinault, CEO of Signature: “Further to today’s announcement of our new technical co-operation with Nissan, I am delighted to confirm Franck’s extended contract with Signature. He has proven to be an integral part of Signature’s racing activities over the last three years, first in F3 then in LMS, so he is the perfect choice for us heading into our new challenges in LMP2 and ILMC. We are all delighted to be working alongside him once again and look forward to renewed success on the race track.”

Quick Q+A with Franck Mailleux

Franck, what are your thoughts on this announcement?
“Naturally, I am very pleased and excited to be extending my long-running partnership with Philippe and the entire Signature team. We have enjoyed a successful racing career together from Formula 3 and into Le Mans Series where we displayed a high level of competitiveness in a short space of time. Finishing last season as LMP1 vice champions in only our second year competing against such experienced rivals was a testament to the team’s capabilities. We now look towards 2011 and ILMC with great anticipation.”

How beneficial will it be to have the backing of Nissan?
“It is fantastic for us to have such a tremendous partner in Nissan for this season and I am thrilled to be a part of it. Having the backing of a manufacturer is always a big boost and I am looking forward to showing Nissan just what we can achieve together. Nissan, of course, has a huge motorsport platform in other categories and also has its own prestigious history in Le Mans. I am proud to be one of the drivers for Signatech Nissan and am sure we can fight with the best in our class. ILMC looks to be a competitive series and the calendar is very diverse taking us to some outstanding racing venues, so I can’t wait to get started.”

Do you have any specific aims for the season?
“ILMC is a new championship for us but we know from the Le Mans Series that we can adapt quickly. We will be in LMP2 with Nissan and Signatech chassis so we will need some time to settle in, but I hope we can make good progress together. In addition to the trust that Signature and Nissan have placed in me, I would also like to thank my long-term sponsors Sojasun who will be with me once again on a new racing adventure, their support has been a big asset to me personally and professionally.”

For more information, please visit www.franckmailleux.com or www.quadrasports.com. For media enquiries, please email media@quadrasports.com