 [05-06-2011]
PIERRE RAGUES LOOKING TO MAKE HIS MARK ON LMP1 IN LE MANS 24 HOURS
[Full Article]
 [01-06-2011]
FRANCK MAILLEUX GETTING READY FOR THIRD TIME LUCKY AT LE MANS
[Full Article]
 [27-05-2011]
PIERRE RAGUES GETS BACK ON TRACK WITH LE MANS PREPARATIONS
[Full Article]
 [25-05-2011]
TONY KART’S ALL STAR SQUAD TRAINS WITH QUADRA
[Full Article]
 [18-05-2011]
PIERRE CAMPANA'S STAR RISES AFTER PROVING HIS WORTH AT TOUR DE CORSE
[Full Article]
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[01-06-2011]
FRANCK MAILLEUX GETTING READY FOR THIRD TIME LUCKY AT LE MANS
 Franck Mailleux has shown some impressive promise at the wheel of his Signatech-Nissan LMP2 car since the start of this Intercontinental Le Mans Cup season back in March.
From a podium finish in LMP2 in his first ever participation at the Sebring 12 Hours, Franck was instrumental in the team’s fight-back to fifth place in class at the Spa 1000kms earlier this month, after mechanical trouble dropped them down the field from the lead.
Franck is about to undertake a final shakedown at Lurcy-Levis this week alongside his team-mates Lucas Ordonez and Soheil Ayari, as the Signatech-Nissan team look to harness the positive performance of their car in preparation for the prestigious and gruelling 24 Hours of Le Mans that takes place next week.
Franck, how do you view Signatech-Nissan’s performances so far this season?
“I think we have a lot of positive achievements to reflect on after the races in Sebring and Spa, although I can’t help but feel that we actually deserved better results on both occasions. We managed an LMP2 podium at Sebring but we unfortunately had some mechanical issues in Spa that greatly affected the outcome of the race. We know the LMP2 field is tight but we also have great confidence in the ability of the team and the performance of the Nissan-powered car, so we should be fighting for podiums all the time.”
How have you dealt with the problems that arose in Spa?
“Firstly, I have to say that the team performed exceptionally well, as did all three of us drivers. It was just unfortunate that these small mechanical issues lost us a lot of time in the pits – 5 laps in total – which is always hard to get back. In these situations, we just have to focus and concentrate as a team and do our best to make up places, which we did. I had fun during my stints, the car was quick, the Nissan engine was incredible and the tyres were competitive, so we know we have a good package. We just need to remember that endurance racing is about reliability, so I hope we have better fortune during the week of Le Mans, which is the highlight of the season.”
What are you planning to do at Lurcy-Levis this week?
“This week is not so much about a performance test, but more of an extensive shakedown for the Oreca 03 ahead of the big Le Mans week. There are so many different parameters to evaluate that we can’t leave anything untested. We are confident in the car’s capability but we will make good use of the practice sessions in Le Mans to fine-tune the set-up and prepare the overall package as best we can. This will be my third time at Le Mans, so I have a lot of personal experiences to draw upon and I am looking forward to it. I have also been working with Sojasun, who are my personal sponsors, on my physical and dietary preparation for the race. It is a long and tough week for us drivers, so I am fortunate to be able to draw on their expertise in the area of nutrition and diet.”
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