Scott Tucker and Level 5 Motorsports Get up to Speed for Petit Le Mans

BRASELTON, Ga., Sept. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- A very busy race week for Scott Tucker and Level 5 Motorsports got off to a quick start as the team posted the fastest lap times in the first two days of testing for Saturday's Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta. 

First, the trio of Tucker, Christophe Bouchut and Joao Barbosa logged 99 laps in their NO. 33 HPD ARX-01g Sunday, including a class-leading lap of 1:17:799.  The team then backed that up with a 1:13:729 in Monday's final session.  Not to be outdone, the team's second entry, the No. 055 HPD ARX-01g with Tucker, Luis Diaz and Marino Franchitti, was idle Sunday but topped the LMP2 charts with a blistering lap of 1:13.291.

"We're very pleased with how these early sessions have gone," Tucker said.  "Considering this was the first real test for the No. 055, you can't ask for much more than that.  We've got a long race to prepare for, but we're certainly pointed in the right direction."

The weekend's race marks the conclusion of the American Le Mans Series, in which Tucker and Level 5 have already clinched the LMP2 class championship.   It also represents the second-to-last race of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup, in which Level 5 is currently second in the point standings.

As if that was not enough, Tucker has filled his schedule with even more racing.  He will also compete in two Cooper Tires Prototype Lites series races, two IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama races and the SCCA Pro Racing Trans-Am Series event.

"I'm very happy with how this two day test has gone," said Team Manager David Stone.  "Everyone has worked really hard and we end the session in P1 with the No. 33 and P2 with the No. 055 so we are pretty satisfied so far.  It will be a long week and a long race but it's the best start we could have asked for."

The 14th annual Petit Le Mans powered by Mazda, the 1,000-mile/10-hour endurance race is set for Saturday, Oct. 1. The race will air on ABC at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 2. Live coverage will be available in the U.S. on ESPN3 or outside the U.S. on americanlemans.com.

About Scott Tucker

Scott Tucker is an American Racing driver currently competing in a variety of racing series including the American Le Mans Series, Intercontinental Le Mans Cup, Ferrari Challenge Series, SCCA Pro Racing Trans-Am Series and the  IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge.   http://www.tucker-racing.com.

SOURCE Level 5 Motorsports