OAK Racing crosses the Atlantic

For the first edition of the ILMC, few European teams took part. OAK Racing is not one of them. The French team has taken the challenge of competing in the entirety of this new championship set up by the ACO. This weekend, on the Road Atlanta circuit, the French team will take part in its first race in the country of Uncle Sam.

“Almost everything is to be discovered at Road Atlanta, despite our experience acquired in 24 Hours of Le Mans and in the Le Mans Series, explains Director General François Sicard. We are therefore not aiming for a demonstration of pure performance from our LMP2 this year, against teams experienced at the ALMS and a field of cars designed and prepared for this series. The two days of private testing on September 25 and 26 were rich in learning, but the event itself will be approached with the philosophy of driving in racing conditions. »

Last weekend, for the tests, OAK Racing was able to count on the help of Matthieu Lahaye. But the 2006 Eurocup Mégane Trophy runner-up will not be at the start on Saturday, being present only to provide advice to the gentlemen drivers who will share the wheel of the car. The Pescarolo Judd sporting the No. 35 will indeed see Frédéric Da Rocha, Patrice Lafargue, and boss Jacques Nicolet take turns.

?During the two days of testing, I was surprised by the ease of adaptation of the three drivers, says Team Manager Sébastien Philippe. Their times are quite close to the reference time established by Matthieu Lahaye. Matthieu, who is here as a coach, managed to give them confidence and that is essential on this complicated circuit. The race promises to be tricky. There will be more than 45 cars on track. One of the positive points was the Dunlop tires which showed good grip and excellent longevity. Above all, you will have to know not to rush. »

“As a driver, I am very happy to be at Road Atlanta, continues Jacques Nicolet. However, I had a great moment of solitude on my first lap of the circuit! It's a very atypical route that doesn't look like anything I know: a third of blind turns, very close walls and a narrow track. Of certain turns, I was simply told: “you'll see when you get there”. Well, that's it, I saw! But the first day of riding went well, under the sun, and I rode and progressed. »

This season, apart from at Le Mans where he was at the wheel of the Norma, Frédéric Da Rocha found himself at the controls of an antique Courage LC75. It was therefore with great pleasure that he was able to take the wheel of a prototype that had proven its effectiveness many times over.

“In the first laps on the Atlanta circuit I asked myself what I was doing there! But once the circuit is memorized, it's a real joy, Da Rocha says. I was used to a less efficient LMP2 and here I discovered a prototype with real aero and super efficient brakes. The Pescarolo-Judd is very reassuring for a driver. She is very healthy. We feel confident straight away and we can quickly approach our limits and above all without reluctance, without ulterior motives. I am very happy to join a professional team like OAK Racing. Matthieu Lahaye is an excellent coach, he is very educational. He knows how to reach less experienced pilots with simple, easy to understand words. It's up to us to apply his advice during the race. »

Montée à cinq reprises sur le podium en six épreuves disputées cette saison, l?équipe OAK Racing espère briller en Géorgie avant de prendre la direction de Zuhai, en Chine, pour l?ultime rendez-vous de l?Intercontinental Le Mans Cup. Mais il faudra faire face à une concurrence des plus affûtées comprenant notamment la Lola Mazda du Dyson Racing, l?HPD ARX-01c du Highcroft Racing et la Porsche RS Spyder Cytosport, d?autant plus que ces deux dernières se disputeront le titre ALMS 2010. Mais le but pour Jacques Nicolet et ses hommes sera avant de tout préparer 2011.

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