This weekend saw SIGNATURE NISSAN in action at the Zhuhai International Circuit, in China, for the final meeting of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup. On this occasion, the French team claimed pole position in qualifying, followed by victory in the LMP2 category, the fastest lap in the race, and, more importantly, eighth position overall. The Nissan-engined ORECA 03, driven by Franck Mailleux, Lucas Ordonez and Jean-Karl Vernay finished the season in the best possible way !
Having set the LMP2 pole position during qualifying, SIGNATECH NISSAN finished the season on a good note by winning the Asian round. The whole team arrived at the Zhuhai circuit without any pressure, having already claimed the title, but with the firm intentional of finishing with a victory. Franck Mailleux, Lucas Ordonez and Jean-Karl Vernay achieved their goal, setting the LMP2 lap record but more importantly taking the chequered flag in eighth position overall !
Philippe Sinault: « I am really pleased with this victory ! It’s like at school – you always want a good note for the last test of the year ! The drivers – not forgetting Soheil Ayari – have done a great job throughout the season, being serious, consistent and efficient. This race looked easier as there were fewer competitors, but to win when you are the favourite is never easy, and we here we were the absolute favourites for the win, which everyone was expecting. Another satisfaction comes from having allowed Lucas Ordonez to go from being a gamer to a real endurance driver : the proof came here in free practice, when he set the best time, ahead of Franck and Jean-Karl. He has not made the smallest mistake all season. I would like to congratulate him. I would also like to say that without my team, we would not have claimed this title, and especially not without Nissan and our partners, without whom nothing would have been possible. Our Asian tour is not over, as this evening we are heading for Macau, 20 km from here, for the Formula 3 World Cup. »
Franck Mailleux : « With this fifth ILMC win, we are finishing 2011 on a positive note. We were under no pressure for this final meeting of the season. We had a few minor adventures – a plastic bag was sucked into the radiator, and caused the engine to overheat, some bits of rubber got stuck to the radiator, which meant that the gear-box and engine overheated twice, forcing the team to intervene. And in the final hour, we had an additional pit stop as we had lost a front headlight, and according to the regulations, it is forbidden to drive with just one light. The Zhuhai circuit is very bumpy. We were rather scared of being on the limit with the brakes, but everything was OK. Over the whole of the race, we had a very high pace, but we had plenty of leeway with our stops. Now we will prepare for 2012 and hope to do even better. The new challenge with the FIA WORLD ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP is extremely motivating !! »
Jean Karl Vernay : « For this final round of the ILMC I was really able to give my all, without holding back. Until now I was careful, as the team was fighting for the title and I had to make sure of that. I am pleased that as well as the title we secured in Road Atlanta the team has claimed an LMP2 victory. We also have another reward, which was to finish in the top eight of LMP1 and LMP2 cars combined ! »
Lucas Ordonez : « Fantastic ! This last round of the season was fantastic for me, and I was really able to enjoy the driving without any pressure. Once in the race, of course you are aiming for victory, but without the tension of going for the title. This year has been a wonderful challenge. I can’t wait for 2012 ! »
Source : Signatech-Nissan