Chinese/French Effort Ready To Make Statement In '07
LAUSANNE, Switzerland – 14th of March, 2007 – Who said, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks?” Well, for 12 years veteran pilot Philippe Dessertenne a change of personnel and a new address seems to have reinvigorated a driver who has nine times finished in the top 10 in the drivers championship of the U.I.M. F1 World Championship for power boating along with one victory in his storied career that began back in 1995.
The driver from the West coast of France has linked up with the new power brokers of the sport as he has brought together the China CTIC Team and his last years sponsors from his local region Charente Maritime while adding and helping new teammate Peng Lin Wu who raced in four races last season with a season’s best 12th at the Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi last December.
“I feel great getting ready for this season,” said Philippe. “For the first time in my career I’ve done three things that I feel are important for a successful season; I’ve purchased a new boat, been working hard with my physical conditioning and will do a lot of pre-season testing prior to the opening round of the season at the Grand Prix of Portugal in Portimao.”
The driver from La Rochelle, who has worked diligently to put together the host site for the 2nd round of the 2007 season at the Grand Prix of France on the 20th of May, came close in winning the world championship in 2001 eventually finishing 3rd in the title chase. He is the fourth most active driver in the sport with 103 starts including 15 podiums and 33 top fives along with the victory at the Grand Prix of Finland back in 2002.
Wiith these credentials in his resume Philippe has taken on the job of working with the representatives from China in order to help both organize a truly competitive effort and work with his new teammate Peng Lin Wu who came back in 2006 after a nine year absence in the sport.
“I have two homes now, one in La Rochelle where my workshops are located and my new home in China where I am spending a lot more time getting everyone prepared for the upcoming campaign,” said Dessertenne. “We have a new short DAC boat that should be a lot more competitive than last years longer variety and both are now fitted with the newly mandated crash boxes.”
Dessertenne feels he has the drive and desire to continue in the sport for many more years and believes new challenges make him enthusiastic and ready to start the season. The new team and new teammate along with a new life style maybe just what the doctor ordered for this likeable driver who has the skills and is due to put himself back into the championship picture. He’s preparing to do this and make 2007 the year that he will be a true contender for the title.
Bon voyage, Philippe.
