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 [29-04-2011]
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 [29-04-2011]
FRANCK MAILLEUX JOINS VOLKSWAGEN MOTORSPORT FOR NURBURGRING 24 HOURS
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[29-04-2011]
FRANCK MAILLEUX JOINS VOLKSWAGEN MOTORSPORT FOR NURBURGRING 24 HOURS
 French racing driver Franck Mailleux will be joining the Volkswagen Motorsport team for the race debut of their all new 440bhp Golf24 race car this weekend, as the manufacturer gears up for its participation in the legendary Nürburgring 24 Hours race that takes place from 23-26 June.
Volkswagen Motorsport has entrusted Franck with the honour of racing the brand new four-wheel drive Golf24, the first time that Volkswagen has competed with a works prepared Golf since 2007.
Recent three-day tests of the car were carried out at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife and also at Portimão looking at suspension set-up, component testing and endurance runs. This weekend will be its first test in competitive conditions, running in the second round of the “VLN Langstreckenmeisterschaft Nürburgring” – the 36th DMV 4-Hour Race, with Franck making his debut behind the wheel of the Golf24.
For Franck, this weekend’s race marks the renewal of a long-standing and successful partnership with Volkswagen that dates back to his time in Formula 3 with Signature, his current team in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup endurance series. Franck was Volkswagen’s official driver for the 2008 F3 Euroseries Championship and duly rewarded the manufacturer with a tremendous victory at Brands Hatch.
In 2009, Franck joined the Volkswagen Motorsport factory team for a five-car attempt at the famed Nürburgring 24 Hours event. Franck battled hard and demonstrated his great endurance capability to finish third in class and 20th overall in the Volkswagen Scirocco GT24.
The famous Nürburgring event sees up to 200 cars and 1000 drivers negotiate the tough combination of classic Nordschleife and modern Grand Prix circuit, an awe-inspiring 25km lap which pushes driver and car limits to their limits. Franck will use this weekend’s event to develop an initial understanding of the Golf24 with the Volkswagen Motorsport team.
Franck Mailleux said: “I am thrilled and excited to be joining the Volkswagen Motorsport team with their fantastic new Golf24 car. We have a long history going back to our days together with Signature in Formula 3 and also when I was given the wonderful opportunity to be part of their factory line-up at Nürburgring two years ago when we finished third in class. This weekend’s event is part of the VLN endurance racing championship and it will be the first time that the new Golf24 has taken part in a full competitive environment. It is a four hour event so will give us the chance to know more about the car in race conditions and will form part of the vital preparation work ahead of the 24 Hours of Nürburgring in June. I cannot wait to get behind the wheel of the car and am really looking forward to being part of the Nürburgring 24 Hour race with Volkswagen again. Thanks to Volkswagen Motorsport for giving me such an honour to drive for them and to be part of the exciting Golf24 debut.”
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