ILMC Zhuhai : A sixth win for Peugeot?

The 2011 season of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup will draw to a close in China, at the Zhuhai racetrack. On the back of a second consecutive ILMC title, secured after an almighty scrap in early October in the USA, Team Peugeot Total has one remaining goal: claim a sixth race win of the season in the home of the world’s biggest automotive market.

A sixth win to conclude the season

2011 will go down in the annals of Endurance racing as one of the most closely contested years of racing. From Sebring to Road Atlanta, taking in Spa-Francorchamps, Imola, Silverstone and of course the 24 Hours of Le Mans, every race has been decided by a few tenths of a second, sometimes thousandths, between Peugeot and its most tenacious rival. After six incredibly close races, Peugeot secured the manufacturers’ title thanks to five race wins, including three one-two finishes and four pole positions.

At Zhuhai, the first racetrack to be built in China in 1996, the race may be just as difficult to call. Finishing the season with another win appears to be essential, on this technical track where the drivers’ nerves will be sorely tested as overtaking can prove to be complicated.

China, a great stage for the season finale

“We are the champions, but that doesn’t stop us from wanting to win again in China”, emphasized Olivier Quesnel, Peugeot Sport Director. “We want to head into this 6 Hours of Zhuhai in relaxed mood, so we can grab another win, which will be one of the most sought-after of the season, given the high stakes in China as the world’s biggest automotive market. Our win here last year helped to promote Peugeot’s brand image and raise its profile in China. We are therefore aiming to do just as well this year, in order to demonstrate Peugeot’s know-how and technological prowess. There was next to nothing in it in 2010 and the odds are that it will be much the same this year”.

Preparations for Zhuhai and 2012

Since winning at Road Atlanta-Petit Le Mans, Team Peugeot Total has not been resting on its laurels! “We have completed two major test sessions”, stressed Bruno Famin, Peugeot Sport’s Technical Director. “The aim was twofold: on the one hand, make progress on developments for 2012 and on the other hand, prepare for the 6 Hours of Zhuhai. For example, we worked on a strategy to protest the transmission, which failed to work on cold tyres at Petit Le Mans, resulting in the retirement of the no.7 car. We also fine-tuned the mechanical set-up. Zhuhai is a specific track which is particularly demanding on the brakes. Last year, we won by just four seconds after we had major problems in this area. This year, with the cars even closer together – every race has been decided on a minor detail – we will have to be absolutely perfect at all levels to prevail.”

”The 908s will feature a few relatively minor technical upgrades to the suspension, the steering and the brakes, and more significant changes to the engine”, continued Bruno Famin. “We will be running both our cars during Wednesday’s free practice day, after which we will decide which upgrades to keep for the race”.

Two new chassis will be used:

— the number 07 chassis for the Peugeot 908 no.7 (blue rear-view mirrors), driven by Anthony Davidson and Sébastien Bourdais, who won together at Imola

— the number 08 chassis for the Peugeot 908 no. 8 (white rear-view mirrors), driven by Franck Montagny and Stéphane Sarrazin, recent winners of the Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta and defending champions at Zhuhai.

Nicolas Minassian will also be in China as the team’s reserve driver.

Timing: GMT+6

Friday, 11 November 2011
10.30am – 12.00pm (CET: 3.30am – 5.00am): Free practice 1
3.00pm – 4.00pm (CET: 8.00am – 9.00am): Free practice 2

Saturday 12 November 2011
10.15am – 11.15am (CET: 3.15am – 4.15am): Free practice 3
2.50pm – 3.10pm (CET: 7.50am – 8.40am): Qualifying

Sunday 13 November 2011
8.00am – 8.20am (CET: 1.00am – 1.20am): Warm Up
11.00am (CET: 4.00am): Start of the 6 Hours of Zhuhai