 [26-06-2011]
PREMATURE END TO FRANCK MAILLEUX’S NURBURGRING 24 HOURS AFTER CAR #35 RETIRES WITH TECHNICAL TROUBLE
[Full Article]
 [25-06-2011]
FRANCK MAILLEUX TO START NURBURGRING 24 HOURS FROM STRONG TOP 30 POSITION ON GRID AFTER SUCCESSFUL QUALIFYING FOR VOLKSWAGEN MOTORSPORT
[Full Article]
 [21-06-2011]
FRANCK MAILLEUX AIMS FOR MORE 24 HOUR GLORY AT THE NURBURGRING
[Full Article]
 [20-06-2011]
PIERRE CAMPANA WILL NOT TAKE PART IN YPRES RALLY
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 [17-06-2011]
PIERRE RAGUES DRAWS POSITIVES FROM DISAPPOINTING LE MANS ADVENTURE
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[25-06-2011]
FRANCK MAILLEUX TO START NURBURGRING 24 HOURS FROM STRONG TOP 30 POSITION ON GRID AFTER SUCCESSFUL QUALIFYING FOR VOLKSWAGEN MOTORSPORT
 Franck Mailleux is set to start today’s Nürburgring 24 Hours from 28th position after a very positive two days of qualifying for the Volkswagen Motorsport team at the legendary Eifel circuit. Car #35, which Franck shares with Peter Terting, Nicki Thiim and Rene Rast, set a best time of 8m39.383s around the demanding and challenging 25.378km track.
Qualifying took place over Thursday and Friday and brought the usual mix of weather with rain and sunshine. Franck did everything that was required of him by Volkswagen Motorsport, setting the number of timed laps that was required for him to start today’s daunting 24 Hour race.
For the first stern test of the all new 450-bhp Golf24, which Franck has already experienced in two VLN endurance races in recent months, the qualifying results were highly promising and the team is now looking forward to the car’s first 24 hour race participation with all the benefits that a top 30 grid position brings.
Starting in the top 30 is a significant advantage in a 24 hour race, especially during the night-time running, because all cars in the top 30 are equipped with a blue light that signals for slower cars to get out of the way. This helps quicker cars, like Franck’s #35 Golf24, navigate traffic and hopefully avoid on-track incidents.
Franck Mailleux commented: "We’re on grid position 28 and have the blue light on board which is a big advantage for us. We’re more than pleased with this because we hadn’t really expected our car to be so far at the front. I’m very confident that we’ll be able to achieve a really good result in the race. I’m particularly looking forward to the stints at night when you can see the camp fires alongside the whole track – the Nordschleife also provides a unique atmosphere for the drivers.”
Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen also conveyed his satisfaction with the result and sets out a solid aim for the race: "Our realistic goal was the top 30, which we have achieved with two cars – in any event it has been a good showing by the anniversary Golf. We want to drive a clever race to advance as much as possible. If we manage to avoid on-track incidents, perform solid pit stops and choose a good strategy, then we’ll be able to make it into the top ten.” The Nürburgring 24 Hour race is due to start at 16.00 local time.
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