 [03-07-2011]
PIERRE RAGUES SHOWS COMPETITIVE PACE AT IMOLA BUT MECHANICAL PROBLEMS NEGATE OAK RACING’S CHALLENGE
[Full Article]
 [02-07-2011]
FRANCK MAILLEUX AND SIGNATECH NISSAN ON LMP2 PACE IN IMOLA AND AIM TO EXTEND ILMC LEAD
[Full Article]
 [02-07-2011]
PIERRE RAGUES CONFIDENT FOR IMOLA 6 HOURS AFTER OAK RACING TAKES PETROL-POWERED POLE IN QUALIFYING
[Full Article]
 [28-06-2011]
FRANCK MAILLEUX RETURNS TO ILMC ACTION WITH SIGNATECH-NISSAN AT IMOLA 6 HOURS
[Full Article]
 [28-06-2011]
PIERRE RAGUES AIMS TO GET SEASON BACK ON TRACK AT IMOLA 6 HOUR RACE
[Full Article]
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[02-07-2011]
PIERRE RAGUES CONFIDENT FOR IMOLA 6 HOURS AFTER OAK RACING TAKES PETROL-POWERED POLE IN QUALIFYING
 Pierre Ragues is confident of a strong performance in tomorrow’s Imola 6 Hours race after the OAK Racing team claimed the fastest time of the petrol-powered cars in this afternoon’s qualifying session.
Guillaume Moreau was on qualifying duty for the team today and set a best lap of 1m34.745 to take the OAK-Pescarolo to an impressive fifth overall, just three seconds off the pace-setting Peugeot. It was further proof of the competitiveness of the OAK Racing #15 car following strong performances by Pierre Ragues in free practice, who also set the fifth fastest time this morning.
For both drivers, this weekend is the first experience around the new-look Imola circuit and despite numerous interruptions because of red flags in Friday practice, Pierre was able to complete enough laps to learn the new circuit configuration comfortably. Adding to the difficulties, intermittent rain, which was particularly heavy on Friday, has disrupted preparations up and down the Pitlane.
OAK Racing and Pierre used Friday afternoon’s wet conditions to evaluate Dunlop’s wet weather tyres and understanding the car’s behaviour in the wet.
Saturday morning practice started in damp conditions because of the rain but gradually dried out to enable drivers to use slick tyres in time for qualifying. After nine laps on wet tyres, Pierre was able to switch to slicks for his longer run in practice and he was able to set the fifth fastest time. The team completed a total of 27 laps and established themselves as the quickest petrol car in LMP1.
The team is now preparing itself for tomorrow’s six hour race, in which it will aim to register its first finish of the season, and take top petrol car honours in the process.
Pierre Ragues said: “I am really pleased with how this weekend has developed. We had tough track conditions on Friday with mixed weather conditions, but thankfully we were able to get track time to learn the new Imola circuit, which I like very much. The OAK-Pescarolo has been quick all weekend and today’s performances have shown that we are the quickest petrol car, which is our main target. I demonstrated good pace this morning and we ended the morning session fifth fastest, which Guillaume was able to confirm in qualifying this afternoon. This puts us in a good starting position for the race and we will be looking to get a solid race finish tomorrow afternoon – ideally as the top petrol powered car. I’m looking forward to it.”
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