 [10-06-2011]
FRANCK MAILLEUX AND SIGNATECH-NISSAN TO START LE MANS 24 HOURS FROM LMP2 POLE
[Full Article]
 [10-06-2011]
OAK RACING AND PIERRE RAGUES AIM FOR TOP PETROL CAR STATUS IN LE MANS
[Full Article]
 [09-06-2011]
MEASURED START TO LE MANS 24 HOURS FOR FRANCK MAILLEUX
[Full Article]
 [09-06-2011]
PIERRE RAGUES GETS BACK INTO THE LE MANS GROOVE WITH PRODUCTIVE OPENING DAY
[Full Article]
 [05-06-2011]
FRANCK MAILLEUX READY FOR RIGOURS OF LE MANS WITH SIGNATECH-NISSAN
[Full Article]
|
[05-06-2011]
FRANCK MAILLEUX READY FOR RIGOURS OF LE MANS WITH SIGNATECH-NISSAN
 Franck Mailleux is beginning the final countdown to next weekend’s highly-anticipated 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 79th running of the prestigious event that is the undisputed highlight of the endurance racing season.
Franck will be taking part in his third consecutive Le Mans event this weekend having raced with the Signature Plus team for the previous two seasons in the LMP1 class. The team finished in a highly impressive 11th place on their debut in the challenging event back in 2009 but were forced to retire during the 19th hour of last year’s event after one of Franck’s team-mates crashed and caused irreparable damage to the car.
For this year’s Le Mans, Franck will be racing under the Signtech-Nissan team name in LMP2 alongside team-mates Lucas Ordonez and Soheil Ayari. The team has had a buoyant start to 2011 with Franck demonstrating competitive performances in the opening races of this year’s Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (ILMC) at Sebring and Spa-Francorchamps. The squad is leading the LMP2 classification of the ILMC and Franck is optimistic of another positive performance around La Sarthe this weekend, where double points will be awarded.
The Le Mans 24 Hours race is not only the pinnacle of endurance racing; it is one of the widely acknowledged top three races in international motorsport. Teams and drivers have to navigate the demanding 13.4km La Sarthe circuit and an eclectic mix of track and ambient conditions over a 24 hour period, keeping focussed, flexible and alert at all times. Drivers have to prepare meticulously for the event, both physically and mentally, working in harmony with their team-mates and technical partners. Teams have to find the perfect balance between reliability and speed over an excruciating 24 hour timescale. Franck can draw upon the vast experience of the entire Signatech-Nissan team, his own Le Mans racing pedigree, as well as his personal partners Sojasun who have worked on a physical and dietary plan for Franck in preparation for this week.
Franck and the team joined the rest of the competitive Le Mans field at an official test back in April in which they showed their intentions by posting the fastest LMP2 time, and registering the 13th best time overall. Work was centred on aerodynamic tests and tyre evaluation with Dunlop which will hopefully put the team in a strong position from the very start of the weekend’s on-track action which gets underway on Wednesday. The team also carried out a shakedown of the Signatech-Nissan Oreca 03 at Lurcy-Levis just a few days ago. The next item on the agenda will be the usual scrutineering at Place des Jacobins on Monday while Franck will join the other drivers for a public autograph session in the Pitlane on Tuesday.
Franck Mailleux said: “Here we are again, the most anticipated event of the year and one which always gives a huge sense of excitement for everyone involved. It is without a doubt the most challenging and demanding event that we take part in, but if it goes right, as it did for us in 2009, it is also a race that gives huge satisfaction and personal reward. This will be my first Le Mans in LMP2 with Signatech-Nissan and I am really looking forward to showing what we are capable of. We have had good pace in the first ILMC events of the year at Sebring and Spa and find ourselves at the head of the ILMC classification. As a team, we are confident for Le Mans, and are ready to face any challenges that might come our way. The car is quick, we have great support from technical partners and a competitive team line-up, so I am sure we will be in the mix. Nissan has given us fantastic support this season so to get an LMP2 podium with them would be an incredible achievement for us. I also have the support of my personal sponsors Sojasun who have prepared a special Le Mans diet for me with their products, which I have found such a help in previous years. First of all we have scrutineering at Place des Jacobins, as well as the autograph session, two activities which really summarise why Le Mans is so special - great atmosphere, fantastic support but never forgetting the reason why we are here, to get a good result on Sunday!”
24 HEURES DU MANS – SCHEDULE OF THE WEEK
Sunday 5 June
14:30 – 19.00 Administrative Checks and Scrutineering (Place Centrale des Jacobins)
Monday 6 June
09:30 - 17:30 Administrative Checks and Scrutineering (Place Centrale des Jacobins)
Tuesday 7 June
17:00 Drivers’ Autograph Session
Wednesday 8 June
16:00 – 20:00 24 Heures du Mans Free practice sessions
22:00 – 24:00 24 Heures du Mans Qualifying practice sessions
Thursday 9 June
19:00 – 21:00 24 Heures du Mans Qualifying practice sessions
22:00 – 24:00 24 Heures du Mans Qualifying practice sessions
Friday 10 June
10:00 – 20:00 Pit Walk
18:00 – 20:00 Drivers' parade (City centre)
Saturday 11 June
09.00 - 09:45 Warm-Up 24 Heures du Mans
14:22 Beginning of starting procedure 24 Heures du Mans
15:00 Start of the 79th race of the 24 Heures du Mans
Sunday 12 June
15:00 Finish of the 79th of the 24 Heures du Mans
For more information about Franck Mailleux, please visit www.franckmailleux.com, or visit the Quadra Sports website www.quadrasports.com
|
)