 [21-11-2011]
ILMC CHAMPION FRANCK MAILLEUX REFLECTS ON SUCCESSFUL SEASON AFTER CHINESE WIN
[Full Article]
 [13-11-2011]
PIERRE RAGUES ENDS 2011 SEASON WITH COMPETITIVE PERFORMANCE IN CHINA
[Full Article]
 [13-11-2011]
FRANCK MAILLEUX ENDS INCREDIBLE CHAMPIONSHIP-WINNING SEASON WITH VICTORY IN CHINA
[Full Article]
 [12-11-2011]
FRANCK MAILLEUX PUTS CHAMPIONS SIGNATECH-NISSAN ON POLE IN CHINA
[Full Article]
 [10-11-2011]
PIERRE RAGUES READY FOR FIRST PRACTICE AFTER USEFUL WET TEST IN CHINA
[Full Article]
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[13-11-2011]
FRANCK MAILLEUX ENDS INCREDIBLE CHAMPIONSHIP-WINNING SEASON WITH VICTORY IN CHINA
 Franck Mailleux and the Signatech-Nissan LMP2 team have achieved precisely what they intended by securing their debut LMP2 victory of the year in the final race of the 2011 season at Zhuhai today, finishing in eighth place overall. The 2011 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup champions can there boast an incredible five podiums out this season’s six races including today’s tremendous victory in China.
It has been a generally trouble-free weekend for Signatech-Nissan with a smaller than usual number of LMP2 entries, but the team did not rest on their laurels with a race win top of their priority list. The team had been comfortably leading their LMP2 rivals as Franck took the wheel of the Oreca 03 for qualifying on Saturday. A professional and competitive performance from the Frenchman secured the team a dominant pole, 2.3 seconds clear of their rivals, even more impressive considering it was his first time driving at Zhuhai.
Sharing driving duties on race day with his team-mates Lucas Ordonez and Jean-Karl Vernay, Franck was able to demonstrate his skill around Zhuhai with the usual highly professional performance from the Signatech-Nissan team. Vernay started the race with Franck taking over for his solitary double stint. Franck spent longer than expected during his refuel stop so the team could remove a plastic bag that had been sucked into the sidepod, which was causing the water temperature to rise. The problem was resolved quickly and by the time Franck handed over to Ordonez, the team was still running strongly in the top ten.
Vernay took over once again to finish the race but the final laps required some quick and cautious work from the team. The team changed the front end of the car as a precaution due to a faulty light, while an engine motor issue meant a delayed getaway at the final stop. However, nothing was going to stop Signatech-Nissan from ending a competitive and successful 2011 campaign with a win. Running consistently in the top ten and for long periods in the top eight, the Zhuhai race is a fantastic end to a fantastic season, one which Signatech-Nissan is sure to cherish.
Franck Mailleux said: “I’m really happy. Victory today is a fantastic way to finish our 2011 season. We would of course been happy enough with the championship title but we were determined to win at least one race this season, so to achieve that in the final race is incredible. Thanks must go to the entire Signatech-Nissan team, to Dunlop, to my team-mates Lucas, Jean-Karl and not forgetting Soheil, as well as my personal sponsors Sojasun, for all their hard work, support and performances this season. It has been very much a team effort and even some issues in today’s race could not stop us. It was a good race weekend in all. We had to learn the track from scratch and I got the best out of myself to take pole on Saturday and to be competitive also in today’s race. This victory is a well-deserved result for everyone. I hope people will take note of what we have achieved this season with some very competitive performances both from a team and from myself as a driver.”
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