Promatecme
Encyclopedia
OAK Racing is a Le Mans-based endurance racing team specialising in Sport-Prototypes that has competed in a number of prestigious international series, including the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup and the Le Mans 24 Hours
. After a number of successful years in the LMP2
class they made the step up to LMP1
in 2011 and capped the season with a third place overall finish at the 6 Hours of Silverstone
. At the end of 2011, the team is 2nd in the ILMC ranking in LMP2 class.
The team has competed in the famed orange and blue colours of Gulf Oil
during the 2011 campaign through their partnership with CAR OIL, Gulf Lubricants’ exclusive distributor for France, Belgium and Luxembourg. Powered by Judd
engines, OAK Racing have acted as the development team for Dunlop
since 2009 and compete on the company’s tyres in all competitions.
OAK Racing’s recent history has also seen them become involved in the manufacture of Sport-Prototypes with a design office created for this purpose in 2010. The team currently develops the OAK-Pescarolo LMP2 and as of 2011 will make the car available for sale to privateer outfits.
Since late 2006 OAK Racing has been owned by entrepreneur and racing driver Jacques Nicolet
.
, competing in the LMP1 category.
Nicolet assumed control of the team in late 2006, remaining in the LMS with a switch to the LMP2 class for the following season. In 2008 OAK Racing embarked on a more ambitious programme by fielding a pair of Pescarolo-Judds, with one in both LMP1 and LMP2. This was rewarded with a third place LMP2 class finish at the Le Mans 24 Hours where the team ran one of the youngest crews ever to contest the race, averaging 24-years-old, and also fielded the first Chinese driver ever to enter the event.
The team officially became OAK Racing in 2009, taking the name as a symbol of solidity, force and longevity, essential qualities for success in endurance racing. The name also makes a nod to nature and the increasing environmental awareness found in modern-day motorsport. A partnership with Mazda Automobiles France
was formed at this time with OAK Racing entering two Pescarolo-Mazda LMP2s in the 2009 Le Mans Series and Le Mans 24 Hours as well as participating in the two Asian Le Mans Series
events at Japan’s Okayama circuit. By the end of the season the team had achieved six podiums from eight races, including a top-three LMP2 finish at the Le Mans 24 Hours and a victory in the Asian Le Mans Series.
In 2010 the team fielded two LMP2-spec Judd-powered OAK-Pescarolos in both the Le Mans Series and the Le Mans 24 Hours whilst also entering the ACO’s new Intercontinental Le Mans Cup. Their efforts were rewarded with numerous titles and podium finishes, including a third consecutive top-three finish at the 24 Hours in LMP2 (taking second and fourth place), four podiums from five LMS events, the ILMC LMP2 class title and the Michelin Green X Challenge trophy in the LMS and ILMC.
For the 2011 season the team entered two OAK-Pescarolo LMP1 prototypes and one OAK-Pescarolo LMP2 in the ILMC, as well as an additional LMP2 for the Le Mans 24 Hours.
OAK Racing has recently assumed constructor status, taking over the manufacturing department of Pescarolo Sport
in late 2009. The subsequent season saw the team clinch the LMS LMP2 title and create a design office to facilitate the development of its own prototypes. In September 2011 the OAK-Pescarolo LMP2 was launched and made available for sale to privateer teams ahead of the 2012 season.
On 15 October 2010, during the asset sale of Pescarolo Sport, OAK owner Nicolet and Prestige Racing’s Joël Rivière joined forces to purchase the lots, later presenting them to Henri Pescarolo and thus allowing him to revive his team.
1992: French Formula 3 Champions
1997: British Formula 3 Championship: 2nd (eight wins)
1998: British Formula 3 Championship: 2nd (six wins)
1999: British Formula 3 Championship: 3rd (three wins)
2001: French Formula 3 Champions
2005-2004: World Series by Renault
2006: Le Mans Series: 4th (two podiums)
2007: Le Mans Series: 4th in LMP2 (one podium) - Courage-AER LC75
2008 : Le Mans 24 Hours: 3rd in LMP2 and 12th in LMP1 - Pescarolo-Judd
Le Mans Series: 5th in LMP2 (one podium) and 12th in LMP1 - Pescarolo-Judd
Le Mans 24 Hours: 3rd in LMP2 - Pescarolo-Mazda
Asian Le Mans Series: winner in LMP2 (two wins) - Pescarolo-Mazda
Le Mans Series: 6th (two podiums) and 7th (one podium) in LMP2 - Pescarolo-Mazda
Le Mans 24 Hours: 2nd and 4th in LMP2, 7th and 9th overall - Pescarolo-Judd
Le Mans Series: 3rd (one podium) and 4th (three podiums) in LMP2 - Pescarolo-Judd constructors’ title in LMP2
Intercontinental Le Mans Cup: winner in LMP2 (three podiums) - Pescarolo-Judd
Michelin Green X Challenge Le Mans Series and ILMC: winner - Pescarolo-Judd
Le Mans 24 Hours: 5th in LMP2 - OAK-Pescarolo-Judd
6 Hours of Silverstone: 3rd and 5th overall - OAK-Pescarolo-Judd
6 Hours of Zhuhai : Michelin Green X Challenge for the #24 LMP1 - OAK-Pescarolo-Judd
Intercontinental Le Mans Cup : 5th in LMP1 class, 2nd in LMP2 class (team ranking) - OAK-Pescarolo-Judd
24 Hours of Le Mans
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the world's oldest sports car race in endurance racing, held annually since near the town of Le Mans, France. Commonly known as the Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency, race teams have to balance speed against the cars' ability to run for 24 hours without sustaining...
. After a number of successful years in the LMP2
Le Mans Prototype
A Le Mans Prototype is a type of sports prototype race car most notably used in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, American Le Mans Series and Le Mans Series...
class they made the step up to LMP1
Le Mans Prototype
A Le Mans Prototype is a type of sports prototype race car most notably used in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, American Le Mans Series and Le Mans Series...
in 2011 and capped the season with a third place overall finish at the 6 Hours of Silverstone
2011 6 Hours of Silverstone
The 2011 Autosport 6 Hours of Silverstone was an auto racing event held at the Silverstone Circuit on September 11, 2011. It was the fourth round of the 2011 Le Mans Series season and the fifth round of the 2011 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup....
. At the end of 2011, the team is 2nd in the ILMC ranking in LMP2 class.
The team has competed in the famed orange and blue colours of Gulf Oil
Gulf Oil
Gulf Oil was a major global oil company from the 1900s to the 1980s. The eighth-largest American manufacturing company in 1941 and the ninth-largest in 1979, Gulf Oil was one of the so-called Seven Sisters oil companies...
during the 2011 campaign through their partnership with CAR OIL, Gulf Lubricants’ exclusive distributor for France, Belgium and Luxembourg. Powered by Judd
Judd (engine)
Judd is a name brand of engines produced by Engine Developments Ltd., a company founded in 1971 by John Judd and Jack Brabham in Rugby, Warwickshire, England...
engines, OAK Racing have acted as the development team for Dunlop
Dunlop Tyres
Dunlop Tyres is a British company owned 75% by Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and 25% by Sumitomo Rubber Industries, which bought the right to sell Dunlop-branded road tyres....
since 2009 and compete on the company’s tyres in all competitions.
OAK Racing’s recent history has also seen them become involved in the manufacture of Sport-Prototypes with a design office created for this purpose in 2010. The team currently develops the OAK-Pescarolo LMP2 and as of 2011 will make the car available for sale to privateer outfits.
Since late 2006 OAK Racing has been owned by entrepreneur and racing driver Jacques Nicolet
Jacques Nicolet
Jacques Nicolet is a French businessman and racing driver. He is the Chairman of the Supervisory Board for Alterea SCA, a French real estate investment and development company, which he co-founded in 1994. He was previously a director at the Pierre & Vacances Group between 1984 and 1994...
.
History
Founded by Serge Saulnier in 1980, the team began life in the French Formula 3 championship as Promatecme before becoming Saulnier Racing in 2000 and entering the World Series by Nissan and its successor the World Series by Renault. In 2006 they switched their attention to Sport-Prototypes and the Le Mans SeriesLe Mans Series
The Le Mans Series is a European sports car racing endurance series based around the 24 Hours of Le Mans race and run by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest . The series was originally named the Le Mans Endurance Series, but changed its name prior to the 2006 season...
, competing in the LMP1 category.
Nicolet assumed control of the team in late 2006, remaining in the LMS with a switch to the LMP2 class for the following season. In 2008 OAK Racing embarked on a more ambitious programme by fielding a pair of Pescarolo-Judds, with one in both LMP1 and LMP2. This was rewarded with a third place LMP2 class finish at the Le Mans 24 Hours where the team ran one of the youngest crews ever to contest the race, averaging 24-years-old, and also fielded the first Chinese driver ever to enter the event.
The team officially became OAK Racing in 2009, taking the name as a symbol of solidity, force and longevity, essential qualities for success in endurance racing. The name also makes a nod to nature and the increasing environmental awareness found in modern-day motorsport. A partnership with Mazda Automobiles France
Mazda
is a Japanese automotive manufacturer based in Fuchū, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.In 2007, Mazda produced almost 1.3 million vehicles for global sales...
was formed at this time with OAK Racing entering two Pescarolo-Mazda LMP2s in the 2009 Le Mans Series and Le Mans 24 Hours as well as participating in the two Asian Le Mans Series
Asian Le Mans Series
The Asian Le Mans Series is an Asian sports car racing endurance series created by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest and based in Asia. It is the successor to the defunct Japan Le Mans Challenge which folded in 2007 after its second season...
events at Japan’s Okayama circuit. By the end of the season the team had achieved six podiums from eight races, including a top-three LMP2 finish at the Le Mans 24 Hours and a victory in the Asian Le Mans Series.
In 2010 the team fielded two LMP2-spec Judd-powered OAK-Pescarolos in both the Le Mans Series and the Le Mans 24 Hours whilst also entering the ACO’s new Intercontinental Le Mans Cup. Their efforts were rewarded with numerous titles and podium finishes, including a third consecutive top-three finish at the 24 Hours in LMP2 (taking second and fourth place), four podiums from five LMS events, the ILMC LMP2 class title and the Michelin Green X Challenge trophy in the LMS and ILMC.
For the 2011 season the team entered two OAK-Pescarolo LMP1 prototypes and one OAK-Pescarolo LMP2 in the ILMC, as well as an additional LMP2 for the Le Mans 24 Hours.
OAK Racing has recently assumed constructor status, taking over the manufacturing department of Pescarolo Sport
Pescarolo Sport
Pescarolo Sport is a motorsport team based in Le Mans, France and founded in 2000 by French racing driver Henri Pescarolo. They race in the Le Mans Series and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In October 2007, Henri Pescarolo purchased Jacques Nicolet's Saulnier Racing and created Pescarolo Automobiles,...
in late 2009. The subsequent season saw the team clinch the LMS LMP2 title and create a design office to facilitate the development of its own prototypes. In September 2011 the OAK-Pescarolo LMP2 was launched and made available for sale to privateer teams ahead of the 2012 season.
On 15 October 2010, during the asset sale of Pescarolo Sport, OAK owner Nicolet and Prestige Racing’s Joël Rivière joined forces to purchase the lots, later presenting them to Henri Pescarolo and thus allowing him to revive his team.
1980-2006 Serge Saulnier President
*  Didier AndréDidier André Didier Andre is a race car driver born in Lyon, France. In the late 1990s he competed in Indy Lights, driving in the Indy Racing League in 2001 and Nissan World Series from 2003 until the present day. During 2006 he drove in the Le Mans Series Championship, initially in LMP2 for the team Paul... (F3) |
* Alain Filhol (LM,LMS) |
* Jacques Nicolet Jacques Nicolet Jacques Nicolet is a French businessman and racing driver. He is the Chairman of the Supervisory Board for Alterea SCA, a French real estate investment and development company, which he co-founded in 1994. He was previously a director at the Pierre & Vacances Group between 1984 and 1994... (LM,LMS) |
*  Enrique BernoldiEnrique Bernoldi Enrique Antônio Langue e Silvério de Bernoldi is a Brazilian racing driver who raced for the Arrows Formula One team... (F3) |
*  Ryo FukudaRyo Fukuda Ryo Fukuda is a Japanese racecar driver. In the 2005-2006 season he raced in A1 Grand Prix Japan Team.... (F3,WSR) |
* Simon Pagenaud Simon Pagenaud Simon Pagenaud is a French race car driver born in Poitiers. He currently races in the IZOD IndyCar Series with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing.-Career:... (WSR) |
| * Bruno Besson Bruno Besson Bruno Besson is a French racing driver. He has competed in such series as World Series by Nissan and the French Formula Three Championship. He won the Eurocup Formula Renault championship in 1998.-External links:... (F3) |
* Tristan Gommendy Tristan Gommendy Tristan Gommendy is a race car driver. He won the prestigious Macau Grand Prix in 2002. In 2006 Gommendy drove briefly in the GP2 Series for the iSport International team.... (F3,WSR) |
* Olivier Pla Olivier Pla Olivier Pla is a race car driver from France.-French Formula Campus & Formula Three:Pla's career started in 2000 in French Formula Campus before moving on to French Formula Three Championship in 2001 with the Saulnier Racing team... (F3) |
*  Jenson ButtonJenson Button Jenson Alexander Lyons Button MBE is a British Formula One driver currently signed to McLaren. He was the 2009 World Drivers' Champion.Button began karting at the age of eight and achieved early success, before progressing to car racing in the British Formula Ford Championship and the British... (F3) |
* Bruce Jouanny Bruce Jouanny Bruce Jouanny is a French racing driver.He started his career in his homeland of France, before moving on to international series. In 2000, he won his only career title to date - the Formula Palmer Audi Junior series. He progressed onwards to Formula Three series around the world, including the... (F3,LM) |
* Andy Priaulx Andy Priaulx Andrew Graham Priaulx, MBE is a British racing driver from Guernsey. He is a European Touring Car Championship champion, three times World Touring Car Championship champion and the only FIA Touring Car champion to win an International level championship for four consecutive years... (F3) |
| * Emmanuel Clérico Emmanuel Clérico Emmanuel Clérico, is a French racing driver. He started his single-seaters career French Formula Three Championship whos best finish of second in his debut season... (F3) |
* Franck Lagorce Franck Lagorce Franck Lagorce is a racing driver driver from France. He participated in 2 Formula One Grands Prix, debuting on November 6, 1994. He scored no championship points.... (F3) |
* Harold Primat Harold Primat Harold Primat is a French born , Swiss racing driver currently racing in the Le Mans Series and the Le Mans 24 Hour race.- Early career :... (WSR,LMS) |
| * Marcel Fässler (LMS) | * Nicolas Minassian Nicolas Minassian Nicolas Minassian is a French race driver of Armenian descent.After spending finishing 2nd place in the 1993 Formula Renault Eurocup, he graduated to the French Formula Three Championship where he finished runner-up to countryman Laurent Redon at his second attempt in 1995... (F3) |
* Christophe Tinseau Christophe Tinseau Christophe Tinseau is a French racing driver from Orléans.Tinseau began racing professionally in French Formula Renault in 1991. In 1992 he moved to French Formula Three and in 1993 he placed 4th in that championship with 2 wins and finished 10th in the Macau Grand Prix... (F3) |
Since 2007 Jacques Nicolet President
*  Karim Aljani (LMS, LM) |
* Alain Filhol (LM,LMS) |
* Shinji Nakano Shinji Nakano Shinji Nakano is a racing driver from Japan.His father, Tsuneharu was also a racing driver who competed in the All-Japan Formula Three Championship etc.-Pre Formula One Career:-Formula One Career:... (LM) |
*  Andrea Barlesi (ILMC) |
* Richard Hein (LM, LMS, ILMC) |
* Jacques Nicolet Jacques Nicolet Jacques Nicolet is a French businessman and racing driver. He is the Chairman of the Supervisory Board for Alterea SCA, a French real estate investment and development company, which he co-founded in 1994. He was previously a director at the Pierre & Vacances Group between 1984 and 1994... (LM, LMS, ILMC) |
*  Jan CharouzJan Charouz Jan Charouz is a Czech motor racing driver. He won the 2009 Le Mans Series season and 2006 F3000 International Masters season, as well as taking fourth place in the 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans... (LM) |
* Bruce Jouanny Bruce Jouanny Bruce Jouanny is a French racing driver.He started his career in his homeland of France, before moving on to international series. In 2000, he won his only career title to date - the Formula Palmer Audi Junior series. He progressed onwards to Formula Three series around the world, including the... (LM) |
* Olivier Pla Olivier Pla Olivier Pla is a race car driver from France.-French Formula Campus & Formula Three:Pla's career started in 2000 in French Formula Campus before moving on to French Formula Three Championship in 2001 with the Saulnier Racing team... (ILMC) |
*  Cheng Cong FuCheng Cong Fu Cheng Congfu is a Chinese racing driver, currently driving in DTM.-Karting:In 1996, Cheng raced in karting in China, winning the national championship in 1998 , 2000 and 2001... (LM) |
* Patrice Lafargue (ILMC) |
* Alexandre Prémat Alexandre Prémat Alexandre Prémat is a French race car driver.-Career:-Karting & French Formula Renault Campus:... (LMS, ILMC) |
| * Frédéric Da Rocha (ILMC) |
* Matthieu Lahaye (LM, LMS, ILMC) |
* Pierre Ragues (LMS, LM, ILMC) |
| * Nicolas De Crem (LM) |
* Guillaume Moreau Guillaume Moreau Guillaume Moreau is a French racing driver who is currently competing in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series and the Le Mans Series. In 2008, Moreau shared the GT1 class championship with teammate Patrice Goueslard in the Le Mans Series driving a Luc Alphand Corvette. -24 Hours of Le Mans results:-... (LM, LMS, ILMC) |
* Jean-François Yvon (LM) |
| * Marc Faggionato (LM) |
*  Tiago MonteiroTiago Monteiro Tiago Vagaroso da Costa Monteiro is a Portuguese racing driver. He drove for Jordan, Midland and Spyker MF1 teams—all different iterations of the same team as it was bought by new owners during a two year stint as part of the Formula One paddock... (LM) |
As Promatecme
- Single-seater
1992: French Formula 3 Champions
1997: British Formula 3 Championship: 2nd (eight wins)
1998: British Formula 3 Championship: 2nd (six wins)
1999: British Formula 3 Championship: 3rd (three wins)
As Saulnier Racing
- Single-seater
2001: French Formula 3 Champions
2005-2004: World Series by Renault
- Sport-prototype
2006: Le Mans Series: 4th (two podiums)
2007: Le Mans Series: 4th in LMP2 (one podium) - Courage-AER LC75
2008 : Le Mans 24 Hours: 3rd in LMP2 and 12th in LMP1 - Pescarolo-Judd
Le Mans Series: 5th in LMP2 (one podium) and 12th in LMP1 - Pescarolo-Judd
As OAK Racing
- 2009
Le Mans 24 Hours: 3rd in LMP2 - Pescarolo-Mazda
Asian Le Mans Series: winner in LMP2 (two wins) - Pescarolo-Mazda
Le Mans Series: 6th (two podiums) and 7th (one podium) in LMP2 - Pescarolo-Mazda
- 2010
Le Mans 24 Hours: 2nd and 4th in LMP2, 7th and 9th overall - Pescarolo-Judd
Le Mans Series: 3rd (one podium) and 4th (three podiums) in LMP2 - Pescarolo-Judd constructors’ title in LMP2
Intercontinental Le Mans Cup: winner in LMP2 (three podiums) - Pescarolo-Judd
Michelin Green X Challenge Le Mans Series and ILMC: winner - Pescarolo-Judd
- 2011
Le Mans 24 Hours: 5th in LMP2 - OAK-Pescarolo-Judd
6 Hours of Silverstone: 3rd and 5th overall - OAK-Pescarolo-Judd
6 Hours of Zhuhai : Michelin Green X Challenge for the #24 LMP1 - OAK-Pescarolo-Judd
Intercontinental Le Mans Cup : 5th in LMP1 class, 2nd in LMP2 class (team ranking) - OAK-Pescarolo-Judd