 [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
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 [10-11-2011]
PIERRE RAGUES READY FOR FIRST PRACTICE AFTER USEFUL WET TEST IN CHINA
[Full Article]
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[13-11-2011]
PIERRE RAGUES ENDS 2011 SEASON WITH COMPETITIVE PERFORMANCE IN CHINA
 Pierre Ragues has taken a third consecutive points finish in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup by concluding today’s 6 Hours of Zhuhai in seventh place following a strong final double stint.
Pierre has demonstrated a professional and dedicated approach to his racing this season, helping the OAK Racing team to transform the difficult start to the season into a string of competitive results at Silverstone, Road Atlanta and now Zhuhai, a track where Pierre had never driven before this weekend.
Starting the week with a one-day test session at the track, Pierre was able to familiarise himself with the layout of the 4.03km track in spite of the wet conditions that prevailed on Wednesday.
Heading into Friday’s free practice sessions, Pierre was able to continue where he left off and, although with just a number of laps under his belt in practice, the #15 OAK-Pescarolo was in a solid seventh in the classification, third quickest of the petrol cars.
Pierre’s team-mate Matthieu Lahaye was on qualifying duties for the team on Saturday and put the car eighth on the grid for the race. Unfortunately a bout of Sunday sickness ruled Lahaye out of the race itself, leaving Pierre to share driving duties with Guillaume Moreau. With a slightly revised strategy to cope with just two drivers, Moreau started the race and made his way up to sixth place following his opening double stint. Ragues took over after 60 laps and maintained the team’s position on track.
During Pierre’s scheduled stop for fuel after his first stint, the team experienced a problem related to an engine motor sensor which delayed him rejoining the race. Nonetheless, Pierre demonstrated good pace to minimise the impact of the problem and was running in eighth position after 100 laps. The duo of Moreau and Ragues continued to share the driving until the end of the race with some trouble-free and competitive performances until the chequered flag. Pierre was on particularly fine form in his final double stint, lapping at the same pace as the leading petrol car.
Pierre Ragues said: “I think we can be quite satisfied with today’s race and another solid finish in the top 8. Unfortunately, Matthieu was sick today so he could not join Guillaume and I in the race, but we were able to get the most out of the car today to take a third consecutive points finish. We had a slight issue related to an engine motor sensor in the first half of the race which dropped us out of the top 6 but I think we performed to the best of our ability nevertheless. Considering our first half of the season, we have really worked hard to make sure we are finishing all races and still setting competitive lap times. It’s been fun driving around Zhuhai for the first time. Of course, the team had lots of experience of this track from last year but I have been learning it from scratch so I am pleased with my own personal level of performance, especially with my pace in the final stints. I’d like to say thanks to my partners Group Auto Union for their support this year. I’d also like to say thanks to Ohing for their help during this weekend’s Zhuhai race. There are plenty of positives to draw upon from this season as we plan for 2012.”
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