 [26-06-2011]
PREMATURE END TO FRANCK MAILLEUX’S NURBURGRING 24 HOURS AFTER CAR #35 RETIRES WITH TECHNICAL TROUBLE
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 [25-06-2011]
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 [21-06-2011]
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 [20-06-2011]
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 [17-06-2011]
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[26-06-2011]
PREMATURE END TO FRANCK MAILLEUX’S NURBURGRING 24 HOURS AFTER CAR #35 RETIRES WITH TECHNICAL TROUBLE
 Franck Mailleux completed a very competitive stint during the first quarter of the Nürburgring 24 Hour race but the Volkswagen Motorsport team endured disappointment in the seventh hour as the #35 Golf24 car was forced to retire with a gearbox malfunction.
Sharing the cockpit with Peter Terting, Nicki Thiim and Rene Rast, the #35 car started from a strong position in the top 30 after the two days of qualifying for this gruelling race. The team had a terrific start and the competitiveness of the car allowed them to make up a number of places early on, quickly making their way into the top 15 battle.
Unfortunately, once the race had settled down, the team made several unscheduled, precautionary visits to the pits. This lost them quite a few places and dropped them down the order, but the team was able to recover pace and the lost positions.
Franck was scheduled to drive third of the team drivers, at around the four hour mark, and the #35 was back into strong 23rd place when Franck took over in dry conditions. He enjoyed a very competitive stint, lapping in the 8m55s bracket, before handing over the Rast after 90 minutes on track.
Unfortunately, Franck was never able to complete his overnight double stint after gearbox problems ended the team’s race early just shortly into Peter Terting’s stint.
Franck has nonetheless enjoyed a positive period with the Volkswagen Motorsport team, both through his support to the team in the various VLN endurance races that acted as a prelude to the Nürburgring 24 Hours, and during event week itself.
Franck Mailleux commented: “It obviously wasn’t the end to the Nürburgring 24 Hours that we expected or indeed wanted and it is a pity for the whole team to endure a retirement from the race. I had completed my first stint and I had a very enjoyable time on track, with a good feeling and rhythm from the car, which allowed me to set very competitive lap times in the 8m55s. The conditions were not straight-forward with rain at the start but we showed a very strong performance and it was a real pity to have to retire with the gearbox problems. It has been an honour for me to be part of the Volkswagen Motorsport family for this event. We had a solid preparation with the VLN events, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and we had a good run up to the 24 Hour race. Unfortunately, the race did not go our way, but it does not take anything away from our and the car’s competitiveness. Thanks to Volkswagen Motorsport for putting their faith in me once again, I hope we can join forces again in the future.”
For more information about Franck Mailleux, visit www.franckmailleux.com or www.quadrasports.com
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