Vincent Capillaire - Driver and instructor

June 13th (10:55) - Le Mans24 hours opening - the race :

So we decided that I would begin first. Strating from 4th ligne, I’ve kept my position. In the first lap I’ve overtook a car at the end of Hunaudières straight but on throttle (virage de Mulsanne), putting a wheel on the curb, I’ve done a mistake loosing precious time. We’d leave the podium due to it. Leaving back last, I returned to step down to Fabien at 7° position. As a perfect teamate he continued the effort until 4th position, getting the best lap time.

4th place that is both beautiful and bitter.

Engaging this car in order to promote its 2010 prototype driving school Le Mans Driver and ACO has given us a wonderful opportunity to race on the most legendary track.

Waiting to do battle again to do even better, thanks to Le Mans Driver, to all Dams team that prepare our car and thank you to all the support we have received.

I’ve ran the first part of qualification. My goal was first to continue to learn the track. So I’ve kept a safety rythm, any mistake, any danger. However, I’ve done 12° laptime of 28 (all runs over).

The second part would be faster (tarmac cleaner, more rubber on it, car lighter). My teamtame didn’t improved our laptime, moreover his run was stopped by the red flag (an other car crashed). So, we’ll start from 4th line.

Now, lets place to the race…

Our discover of the Mythic track happened on wet conditions,… an hard session, with any grip on tarmac but there was any problem, any mistake of both driver

So now, let’s have qualifications.

 Here we are the day before Le Mans. Time table reminder :

Tuesday, June 2th, Circuit Bugatti, test day with the team (Dams).

My teamate (Fabien) and I, have driven all the day the prototype with wich we’ll race Le Mans meeting (on 24 hours morning).

Objectives : to get used with the car and setup.

Review of the day positive, good lap times (1′32″6 without new tyres).

 

Formula Le Mans project won’t achieves.

A bad combination of circumstances associated with the current general context failed to finalize our project between the partner and the DAMS team. We were very close to the goal, our disappointment is great.

But we keep our all motivation. We now have 1 year to better prepare our project and be present in 2010.

March 25, as I was teaching specific training to drivefast, a trainee made a big mistake and we did 2 somersault! The story ends with a nice sprain and few weeks of convalescence.

Conclusion, I won’t race first French ClioCup Championship meeting (Nogaro - april 11-12-13). I hope to be back for next race at Pau (in may).

Sunny February, 26th -  H.T.T.T. Paul Ricard, convened by Oreca, I tested the Formula Le Mans: great. 

The car is technically very easy to drive: gearbox (with paddle shift) works well, the assisted steering felt a good return. Side engine, the V8 deafening from outside noise issue a very pleasant drive, a big tork and provides a strong feeling of power. Surprised at first turns to a lack of sensation in the brake pedal I quickly found the effectiveness of carbon brakes. Finally, perhaps the best support is the aero grip: impressive.

In short, a real prototype racing car.

We are pursuing more than ever, our efforts to be on the starting grid for the first race with the famous DAMS team.

It seems that a certain Nigel Mansell will also go !

I’ve just discovered CLIO CUP with QUADRI team, during Official Renault Sport tests. A positive first run as we’ve finished on position 6 all over  days and especially on pole position the second aternoon.

We’re actually working in order to race Frensh Cup, alongside Formula Le Mans main program.

To be continued…