Scott Tucker, Level 5 Debut New HPD Race Car

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Feb 15, 2012, 02:36 ET

MADISON, Wis., Feb. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Level 5 Motorsports got its American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patron season off to a flying start at Sebring International Raceway as the team's Honda Performance Development prototypes were quickest in official testing for next month's 60th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida.

Making the worldwide debut of the new HPD ARX-03b, the Scott Tucker-owned organization showed impressive pace from the No. 055 car, which posted the quickest overall time on Wednesday and ended the two-day test on top in LMP2. Level 5's No. 95 HPD, running to 2011 specification, also proved its strength by recording the second best time in class.

Tucker, a five-time national driving champion and native of Leawood, Kansas, along with season-long co-drivers Christophe Bouchut and Luis Diaz collectively completed a total of 364 laps, more than 1,300 miles in their HPD prototypes, which also ran for the first time on Dunlop tires.

"We've been real fortunate as the test went as planned," said Tucker. "The new HPD ARX-03b performed just as we thought it would. Having driven both cars during the two days, I found it to be a big improvement over the old car. Ending the day 1-2 was very pleasing and gives us plenty of momentum heading into additional test sessions and the race itself next month."

While Diaz turned a best time of 1:51.714 in the year-old No. 95 HPD, Bouchut's 1:51.522 lap in the No. 055 car stood as the quickest of the week. Additionally, both cars were more than two seconds faster than last year's LMP2 pole time, showing considerable gains with the Level 5's new, but already well-proven HPD package.

"I think it was a really great two days of testing here at Sebring," team manager David Stone said. "We learned a lot with the new HPD ARX-03b chassis as well as running the Dunlop tires for the first time. The drivers that drove both cars could definitely see a positive difference in the new car, and everyone at Dunlop have been great to work with.

Level 5 will return to Sebring for further testing on Feb. 27-29, ahead of the 60th annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida, where Tucker will be seeking his third straight victory in America's oldest endurance race.

About Level 5 Motorsports

Level 5 Motorsports has fielded successful entries in GT and Prototype classes in the American Le Mans Series, GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series, Ferrari Challenge Series and the Sports Car Club of America since 2008. The team has competed throughout North America and Europe, extensively in France and Spain. Team owner and driver Scott Tucker has earned five national championships and has more than 70 podium finishes and 60 victories in his driving career. Level 5 is based in Madison, Wisconsin.

http://www.level5motorsports.com

SOURCE Level 5 Motorsports