Scott Tucker is considered to be an excellent race car driver, but when you add the fact he competes not only in the ALMS and the ILMS but also the Ferrari Challenge series, Tucker becomes an unbelievable race car driver-unbelievable not just because the schedule he keeps, but due to his continual success on the track. The first FC race of the 2011 year for Tucker and his Level 5 Motorsports team was the debut of the Ferrari 458 Challenge-the 5th model to be utilized since the series began in early 90s-at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif.
The 458 model was a newcomer to the race, but Tucker plus the car were old friends. He tested the vehicle exclusively in Spain the prior fall and again at the 12 Hours of Sebring weekend in the spring of 2011. The Ferrari 458 model is lighter and faster as opposed to its Italia 458 counterpart. The vehicle boasts 570 horsepower; 9,000 RPM direct injection V8 engine, and its gearbox is modified to extend torque at lower revolutions. The vehicle is also loaded with a top-quality traction control system that was put together by Ferrari. The device is based on logic and techniques from Ferrari's experience in the Formula One series.
Tucker entered the 2011 FC season with four wins on the Infineon course, which covers approximately 2.5 miles with 12 turns. Overall, the Level 5 team fared well in the weekend's set of FC races. "We came out with two cars, but because we were trying a new product with a new seat, it caused some issues with technical people here, so we pulled out one car," said team manager David Stone. "The car we were able to run didn't get the new gearbox update, so we've been tentative about that."
But a race car is as effective as the sum of all its parts-and one of those parts is the driver. Tucker started the first race in fifth place. After a little contact around the first corner, he bunkered down and worked his way up the rankings. His smart driving earned Level 5 a first-place ranking. "We extremely happy we got the win here with our 458 car," said one engineer.
"I was trying to get up as fast as I could without making contact or being too aggressive," said Tucker. "We had a good car, and fortunately it worked out for us in the end."
The 2nd of the FC pair wasn't as seamless as its predecessor; Level 5 decided not to qualify because of a first-lap penalty the day before. "We have a double whammy where we started in the back and we had another penalty," Stone said. "Scott will have his work cut out for him. Getting on the podium is a tall order on this track."
As well as the penalties and race placement, Tucker and the Level 5 team had to face the challenge of a shorter race-the clock ran approximately 10 minutes short in 2011 compared to previous years. "There will be a little less time to work toward the front, but it is what it is, and the goal will be to come out of here with as many points as we can," Stone said.
Tucker delivered a stellar performance inspite of the hiccups, weaving through traffic efficiently with the front of the line his unwavering goal. Though the 458 car started last, Tucker brought it over the line sixth, no small feat considering the circumstances. "It was a good race; we started last and finished sixth with no damage to the car," Tucker said. "It's about as good as you can do."
Having a solid performance again in May at the first FC series race of the year, Tucker continued on his whirlwind race schedule with an ILMC stop in Belgium for the Spa.
The 458 model was a newcomer to the race, but Tucker plus the car were old friends. He tested the vehicle exclusively in Spain the prior fall and again at the 12 Hours of Sebring weekend in the spring of 2011. The Ferrari 458 model is lighter and faster as opposed to its Italia 458 counterpart. The vehicle boasts 570 horsepower; 9,000 RPM direct injection V8 engine, and its gearbox is modified to extend torque at lower revolutions. The vehicle is also loaded with a top-quality traction control system that was put together by Ferrari. The device is based on logic and techniques from Ferrari's experience in the Formula One series.
Tucker entered the 2011 FC season with four wins on the Infineon course, which covers approximately 2.5 miles with 12 turns. Overall, the Level 5 team fared well in the weekend's set of FC races. "We came out with two cars, but because we were trying a new product with a new seat, it caused some issues with technical people here, so we pulled out one car," said team manager David Stone. "The car we were able to run didn't get the new gearbox update, so we've been tentative about that."
But a race car is as effective as the sum of all its parts-and one of those parts is the driver. Tucker started the first race in fifth place. After a little contact around the first corner, he bunkered down and worked his way up the rankings. His smart driving earned Level 5 a first-place ranking. "We extremely happy we got the win here with our 458 car," said one engineer.
"I was trying to get up as fast as I could without making contact or being too aggressive," said Tucker. "We had a good car, and fortunately it worked out for us in the end."
The 2nd of the FC pair wasn't as seamless as its predecessor; Level 5 decided not to qualify because of a first-lap penalty the day before. "We have a double whammy where we started in the back and we had another penalty," Stone said. "Scott will have his work cut out for him. Getting on the podium is a tall order on this track."
As well as the penalties and race placement, Tucker and the Level 5 team had to face the challenge of a shorter race-the clock ran approximately 10 minutes short in 2011 compared to previous years. "There will be a little less time to work toward the front, but it is what it is, and the goal will be to come out of here with as many points as we can," Stone said.
Tucker delivered a stellar performance inspite of the hiccups, weaving through traffic efficiently with the front of the line his unwavering goal. Though the 458 car started last, Tucker brought it over the line sixth, no small feat considering the circumstances. "It was a good race; we started last and finished sixth with no damage to the car," Tucker said. "It's about as good as you can do."
Having a solid performance again in May at the first FC series race of the year, Tucker continued on his whirlwind race schedule with an ILMC stop in Belgium for the Spa.
