Guillaume Moreau has signed with OAK Racing for the five-round Le Mans Series (LMS) season and the Le Mans 24 Hours, joining the already-confirmed Matthieu Lahaye, Richard Hein and Jacques Nicolet, all three of which will drive for the team for a third consecutive season. Moreau, LMS GT1 champion in 2008, previously did a fine job for the team driving the #35 OAK Racing LMP2 Pescarolo-Mazda in the 2009 Le Mans 24 Hours.

The team had its first shakedown of the #35 car at the Magny-Cours club circuit layout recently, giving Moreau a first chance to test the prototype equipped with a Judd engine. The shakedown went well as, despite snowy weather conditions and a cold track surface, Moreau and Lahaye lapped the track for two hours without problem. The team is also delighted to welcome Richard Divila to its ranks, the development and race engineer bringing his support and experience to help Pierre-Alain Bouhet, OAK Racing’s technical manager since 2008. Davila, who, for many years, has enjoyed success in F1, GT and endurance racing, will concentrate mainly on the #35 car.

François Sicard, Team Manager:

“We are very satisfied with our first shakedown. The drivers’ feedback was positive and they were able to feel an improved level of power and driveability from the engine and chassis. It was a small dress rehearsal ahead of the Portimao tests where we have been invited by Dunlop to test and develop tyres for the season. Jacques, Matthieu and Guillaume will share the #35 car, as Richard is absent due to work commitments and the #24 car is being assembled at Magny-Cours. The objective is to have both cars ready for the official tests at Paul Ricard.”

Guillaume Moreau, driver:

“The first shakedown at Magny-Cours was like a dream, I had a very good feeling in the car. I am delighted to be rejoining OAK Racing. I have excellent memories of the team both on the sporting and personal level. OAK Racing and I see things the same way, we have the same mind and spirit. I wanted to continue in endurance racing and to build something for the long term and OAK Racing’s plans are similar to mine. The team has put all of its efforts into developing the technical side and its structures. The Pescarolo-Judd is a weapon that will allow us to shoot for the top of the classification regularly and challenge for the title. The standard of the LMP2 entry is quite high and this is a great challenge for the team, but we know we have the means to meet our objectives. On paper all the elements are in place for us to achieve great things!”

Matthieu Lahaye, driver:

“I am delighted that the new season is starting. Things are looking good on all fronts and it was evident after the shakedown that we have a very good, proven package. It was great to be able to run for two hours without any problems and with a reliable engine, and it bodes well for the new season. The arrival of Guillaume is also positive news. We’ve known each other since 2003 and I know what he is worth to the team! This will be my third year with OAK Racing and they have become part of my family.”

Richard Hein, driver:

“When you get the chance to join an ambitious team which is competent and extremely professional in its technical approach, which has the means to achieve the best possible results and where your team-mates, be they pros or gentlemen drivers, support you non-stop and allow you to grow into an endurance-racing family, then why not continue that adventure? I am very happy to have been invited back. After an introduction year in 2008 and a learning season in 2009, Jacques Nicolet and I are ready to face all the challenges that the 2010 season is going to bring.”

Jacques Nicolet, driver and President of OAK Racing:

“I am delighted to be signing again with OAK Racing, it is a great team! I would like to thank all the drivers and the Team Manager for continuing to give me their trust, although it is true to say that the new regulations have helped me by imposing one gentleman driver on each crew!!! Now is the time that winter stops and we start to get on with the real work. I am delighted that Richard Hein and Matthieu Lahaye will continue to race with us and that Guillaume Moreau joins the team full-time this year. The four of us are going to be the ‘driver structure’ of the team. We are in accordance with the new regulations and looking good for the season.”

Source : OAK