26 HEAD RUNS, BUT NO VICTORY …
Christophe BOUCHUT took the lead of the ROLEX 24 at Daytona for 26 laps, but the 2 BMW Riley suffered too many racing incidents to fight longer in the lead … This weekend, the team was sharp, but in a 24H race, anything can happen. Fortunately, both cars end, which is auspicious!
Before finishing first, we must start with finishing.
Christophe BOUCHUT
▌ A (VERY) GOOD START
The last time the team used its BMW Riley Daytona Prototypes was 12 months ago! It goes without saying that last year’s podium here in Daytona was a trigger in the young life of the Level 5 team, but the (very) many victories that followed in ALMS could make us forget the 2010 ROLEX 24 podium. 1 a year later, Level 5 Motorsports is a respected team (and expected) here, even though they did not run any of the following rounds of the 2010 GRAND-AM Championship. And the GRAND-AM 2011 season will have the same flavor for Level 5: Rolex 24 and basta!
“Our two vehicles were able to respond present in this test. This is one of the most difficult and prestigious challenges that the world of motor racing has to offer,”specifies the owner of the team Scott TUCKER. “Just finishing the race is an accomplishment. But that our two prototypes are able to finish in the TOP11 with such a plateau of teams and drivers, we are particularly proud!”
Remarkably absent from qualifying the day before, Level 5 kept the course given by Team Manager David STONE: avoid head injuries at the start of the race. TUCKER started on the BMW Riley from the back of the pack.
Christophe BOUCHUT then outclassed the board, taking the lead on lap 85. BOUCHUT stayed there for 26 laps, before changing his tires. «Seeing his car in mind at the 24 Hours of Daytona … there is nothing better» confessed TUCKER. «We have a great team, and we will never pay enough for their efforts and talent.»
Each Level 5 vehicle encountered a lot of problems afterwards. Ryan HUNTER-REAY on the No.95 was an injector and was forced to start the stands. The team found the solution and allowed him to leave without losing a single turn. After several relays, the same BMW Riley, at the time of a refueling of several other competitors, was hit. This forced TUCKER to come back to change the front … The BMW Riley No.55 also had exhaust problems in the night. MATOS was even sent to the wall by another DP under pace-car …
Finally, Scott TUCKER and his armada brought the No. 55 to a solid 8th place, just 3 laps behind Felix SABATES BMW Riley of Chip Ganassi Racing. In a race of 720 laps and more than 2,500 miles, the finish is the tightest! The other BMW Riley team finished 11th despite all these racing incidents. TUCKER, competing on both prototypes, was supported on No.95 by Ryan HUNTER-REAY, Raphael MATOS and Richard WESTBROOK.
Relive the excitement of preparation and racing through these exclusive Rolex 24 features from Level 5 and KENNOL Performance Oil below:
