 [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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[03-07-2011]
PIERRE RAGUES SHOWS COMPETITIVE PACE AT IMOLA BUT MECHANICAL PROBLEMS NEGATE OAK RACING’S CHALLENGE
 Pierre Ragues was unable to put his competitive pace around the new-look Imola circuit to good use this afternoon as the OAK Racing team suffered a number of mechanical problems which halted their challenge for a strong result in today’s 6 hour race.
The #15 OAK-Pescarolo started from fifth on the grid and as top petrol-powered LMP1 car after a competitive performance in Saturday’s qualifying session. Guillaume Moreau was tasked with starting duties for the race and enjoyed a positive opening few laps to progress into the top four in the initial stages.
Moreau handed over driving duties to Pierre Ragues at around the quarter-race distance, having been in sixth position at the time, but Pierre’s first stints in the race were beset with mechanical problems that saw the #15 car drop to the foot of the field. Shortly after two hours into the race, Pierre pitted with an engine power problem which necessitated a change of electronic box, while the team also used the opportunity to change the steering wheel to cure some radio communication problems. Having lost three laps, it was just 15 minutes later when Pierre was forced into the pits again to fix a problem with the car’s airbox, which effectively ended the team’s hunt for a strong finish, losing an additional 20 laps.
Pierre resumed his stint down in 42nd place although retaining his composure and professionalism in the face of adversity, immediately trying to make up the significant lost time. However, as he was scheduled to pit in to allow Moreau to drive to the end, the team also had to deal with a throttle sensor problem. The car continued on track until the end of the six hours with the #15 OAK-Pescarolo recovering to 34th overall.
The weekend had promised much more for Pierre Ragues; after disappointments in the races so far this season, Pierre had shown a good pace in practice to position OAK Racing as the leading petrol-powered car and setting the fifth fastest time in Saturday morning practice. That pace was underlined by Moreau’s fifth place in qualifying, giving the team cause for optimism. Unfortunately, the technical trouble made its unwelcome return and meant the team was never able to make use of its practice form.
Pierre Ragues said: “I am extremely disappointed with this result and to have experienced another race with reliability issues. Once again we have the competitiveness but not the reliability, and have been unable to translate a good practice and qualifying pace into a strong race result. We had a lot of changeable weather early in the weekend which affected preparations a bit, but I felt comfortable in the car and with this new Imola track, so I was hopeful for a better end to the weekend. I was able to set the fifth best time in Saturday practice, something that Guillaume also did in qualifying, so we knew we had a good car. After taking over from Guillaume around one-quarter into the race, I was just finding my rhythm and looking to achieve our realistic target of being top petrol car, but then we ran into problems, first with the engine electronics and radio, then with the airbox and finally with the throttle sensor. All in all, we lost over 30 laps and from there it is impossible to score a good result. It is incredibly frustrating but we never give up, as we showed from our team determination to finish the race today, and I can feel that our time will come. We have a bit of a break between now and the next race at Silverstone in September, so as a team we will use this time wisely to regroup and refocus, determined to come back fighting. Thanks to my sponsors Group Auto Union, as always, for their continued support, even when luck is not on our side.”
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