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FRANCK MAILLEUX AIMS TO END CHAMPIONSHIP WINNING SEASON WITH ZHUHAI VICTORY
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 [05-11-2011]
PIERRE RAGUES AIMS TO END SEASON ON A HIGH IN CHINA
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[05-11-2011]
PIERRE RAGUES AIMS TO END SEASON ON A HIGH IN CHINA
 Pierre Ragues is hoping to end his 2011 season with a positive result as the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup moves to China for the season finale next weekend. The race is taking place at the Zhuhai International Circuit, where Pierre’s OAK Racing team were victorious in 2010, so there is a realistic sense of optimism for this season’s event.
2011 didn’t get off to the best of starts for Pierre with some promising race performances negated by repeated technical gremlins but the second half of this season has delivered the sort of results that are representative of Pierre’s ability. A fine fifth place in Silverstone was followed up with seventh overall (and sixth LMP1) at Petit Le Mans last time out, so Pierre is expecting to continue this positive momentum at Zhuhai.
Located in Jin Ding town in the Guangdong Province, the Zhuhai International Circuit was the first permanent motor racing circuit to be built in China back in 1996. The circuit’s position near to Macau and Hong Kong led to the track becoming a haven for local motorsport. The track’s composition of 14 turns, nine right and five left, with numerous straights, including a long start-finish straight of 900 metres makes it an enjoyable and fast track to drive.
Zhuhai holds special memories for OAK Racing as they became ILMC Champions at the venue last season, but it will be Pierre’s first visit to the legendary track. All teams will have the opportunity to test at the track on Wednesday in the lead up to the race weekend, which will give Pierre a chance to acquaint himself with the circuit’s characteristics, for the team to set-up the OAK-Pescarolo and to evaluate tyres with Dunlop.
Pierre has the added benefit of a new personal sponsor for the Zhuhai 6 Hours race with Chinese company Ohing giving him their support. Ohing will join Pierre’s existing partners Group Auto Union.
Pierre Ragues said: “It is going to be a pleasure for me to drive with OAK Racing in China, a fascinating country that will hopefully inspire us to great things for this season finale. We have picked up our performance in the last couple of events and finally been able to translate quick pace into decent points-scoring results. We were fifth in Silverstone and seventh at Road Atlanta, but I hope we can fight for more at Zhuhai, a circuit that has happy memories for the team from last year. This will be my first time at the track but I have already shown myself quite capable of learning new circuits quickly this season. The opportunity to carry out some testing in the run-up to the race weekend will be useful not only for me, but also for the team to work on car set-up and tyre evaluation. I hope for a trouble-free weekend which can allow us to end the season in a way that truly represents our full potential as a team. To finish best of the petrol cars is a realistic target and that is what I will be working towards in the first instance. Finally, I am pleased to have the backing of Chinese firm Ohing for this race, in addition to the support I continue to receive from Group Auto Union.”
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