24h Le Mans
Photo : Christian VIGNON - ACO / Nikon
Well known on the circuit thanks to involvement in open-wheel formulae including F3, Signature renamed Signatech in 2011, opened their account of endurance titles on Saturday night. Third place at Petit Le Mans was enough for the team based in Bourges and led by Philippe Sinault to take the title.
After two years of presence in endurance racing, Signatech partnered with Nissan to develop and run Oreca chassis' powered by the Japanese manufacturer. Confidence that Nissan had in the French team was rewarded with a first title despite the lack of a victory in ILMC. Signatech-Nissan has Honda (HPD), represented by Level 5 Motorsports, as their main opponent.
"We are more than happy to take the title from that weekend!” explains Philippe Sinault. “This is an amazing circuit, but traffic is a nightmare. We knew that the HPD of Level 5 would be hard to beat because in addition to the local stage, the car is definitely at the limit of performance of an LM P2. "
The Franco-Japanese prototype proved rapid during the free practice sessions and it was in the very last lap, Jean-Karl Vernay, who is also reserve driver for Peugeot Sport, saw his hopes of pole vanish as Luis Diaz put in a very spirited drive in the the Honda. The Mexican driver beat the lap record in LM P2 to deprive the young Frenchman of pole position.
After an unconvincing start to the race, a mechanical problem ended the dream of victory, as indicated by Philippe Sinault: "Our chances of victory were shattered however with the power steering failure half way. We finished in third place, allowing us to win the title. Very proud to give our Nissan partnership this title in our first year!”
The move from LM P1 with the Lola-Aston Martin to LM P2 Oreca and Nissan has paid off for the French team.
Cécile Bonarde
Photo : BRASELTON (GEORGIA, USA), ROAD ATLANTA, PETIT LE MANS, WARM-UP, 1st OCT 2011. Signatech en route to ILMC team title in LM P2.
