 [03-08-2011]
Pierre Campana honoured by FFSA and set for WRC breakthrough
[Full Article]
 [30-07-2011]
PIERRE RAGUES BRIDGES SUMMER GAP WITH TWO-DAY TEST AT BUGATTI CIRCUIT
[Full Article]
 [14-07-2011]
PIERRE RAGUES HOPES SUMMER BREAK WILL REVIVE OAK RACING’S ILMC FORTUNES
[Full Article]
 [14-07-2011]
FRANCK MAILLEUX HEADS INTO SUMMER BREAK AT HEAD OF ILMC CLASSIFICATION
[Full Article]
 [03-07-2011]
FRANCK MAILLEUX AND SIGNATECH-NISSAN FIGHT HARD FOR WELL DESERVED IMOLA PODIUM AND TRIUMPHANT ILMC VICTORY
[Full Article]
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[03-07-2011]
FRANCK MAILLEUX AND SIGNATECH-NISSAN FIGHT HARD FOR WELL DESERVED IMOLA PODIUM AND TRIUMPHANT ILMC VICTORY
 Franck Mailleux and the Signatech-Nissan team are today celebrating another fine LMP2 podium result after battling to second in class and ninth overall in this afternoon’s Imola 6 Hours. The excellent result sees Franck and the team fulfil their pre-race objective of extending their lead of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup LMP2 championship after four rounds of the season.
The team made great progress from their fourth place in class on the grid with Soheil Ayari, one of the few men who had already experienced the new-look Imola circuit before this weekend’s race, vaulting up to second in LMP2 in his opening stint.
The competitive LMP2 field, which this weekend incorporated both Le Mans Series and ILMC cars, meant that Signatech-Nissan had to fight that bit harder to secure their rightful place on the podium, but strong drives, including some very competitive lap times from Franck, helped the team achieve their target.
Franck took over from Ayari at the quarter race distance with the intention of triple-stinting with the team required to change the engine cover after one of the car’s wheel arches sustained damage is a suspected contact on-track. Efficient team-work within the Signatech-Nissan garage minimised damage and Franck was able to rejoin still in third place in LMP2.
Some strong and consistent laps for Franck helped the team get back up to second place as Franck embarked on his third stint of the race, but he was forced to pit with a problem just before handing over to Lucas Ordonez. The team needed to make a change to the rear diffuser but also took the opportunity to make a precautionary change to engine cover at the same time, losing two laps and one track position. As Ayari took over for the final stint of the race, the team made up a position to reclaim their second in LMP2, first of the ILMC cars, and a fantastic podium result.
Franck Mailleux said: “It is incredible to be celebrating another fantastic podium result in our first race at Imola and to be first of the ILMC cars. This result means even more because of how close and competitive the LMP2 class was this weekend with LMS and ILMC cars battling it out. Unfortunately, we were not able to fight for the win but in such a tight group, it is a great result to be second in LMP2 and ninth overall. Crucially we were quickest of the ILMC cars which means that we extend our lead over the championship heading into the long break before Silverstone. It was not an easy race and I struggled to find a good rhythm on my stints, but still we were able to set good lap times. Preparations for this race were not helped by the rain on Friday, which limited running and the warmer track conditions today which we have not experienced so far this weekend. We had a few technical issues during the race, first with the damaged wheel arch just before I started, and then on my final stint with the diffuser, but the team worked exceptionally well to reduce the lost time. As a result of a team effort, we can celebrate this result today. Thanks to Signatech and Nissan for their hard work this weekend, as well as thanks to Sojasun, my partners. This podium is shared with everyone involved in the team.”
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