FIA WORLD ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP – ROUND 3 : LE MANS 24 HOURS TEST DAY 2012
The young Nelson Panciatici will take part in Test Day on the fabulous circuit of Le Mans 24 Hrs after a convincing performance in the 6 Hours of Spa Francorchamps, where success evaded the G-DRIVE by NISSAN team’s ORECA 03 NISSAN and stopped them from reaching the podium.
It’s the first time that the G-DRIVE by SIGNATECH NISSAN driver will travel the mythical route whose evocative names of Tertre Rouge, Mulsanne, Arnage, Dunlop…have largely contributed to the legend of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The G-DRIVE by SIGNATECH NISSAN team has prepared well for these important trials scheduled before the coming Le Mans 24 Hours. They carried out two days of tests on the Magny-Cours circuit, dedicated to night driving and the use of Dunlop tyres on long relays. For Nelson, who has already had the opportunity to drive by night during the two rallies he took part in, this familiarisation took place quite naturally and it’s with confidence that he faces the day,
“I feel comfortable with the team and the understanding is excellent with Pierre Ragues and Roman Rusinov, my co-drivers,” comments Nelson Panciatici. “We have a good car, fast and reliable and we’ve prepared well. Personally, I’ve watched lots of videos and worked on all the learning Damian Dias, my engineer, passed on to me. The aim of these tests is to learn the circuit and tune the car for the race. You can be sure that the moment I take to the track I will be thinking of all the history this circuit represents, it will be a very special moment, but once the visor is down I will do my job just as I do on all the other circuits! All the drivers who have taken part in this challenge have said it’s magical, I will soon be able to experience it for myself, I can’t wait to get going!”
The whole G-DRIVE by SIGNATECH NISSAN team has mobilised for this day of tests and Nelson Panciatici, well supported by his co-drivers, intends to garner as much experience as possible in order to be ready for the coming Le Mans 24 Hours on June 16 and 17. For all the teams and drivers a victory represents an important landmark in the hall of fame, but before that they need to concentrate on the tests!
