Level 5 Motorsports News

Tucker Sets New Lap Record, Earns Podium Finish At Watkins Glen

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 22:56:00 -0400

Scott Tucker and the Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports team continued their run of fast laps at Watkins Glen International, setting a new race lap record en route to a second-place finish in the final North America race of the 2010 Ferrari Challenge.

Tucker's lap of 106.624 mph, set on lap 19 of the 21-lap event, came as he was embroiled in a furious battle with Enzo Potolicchio over the historic 3.48-mile road course in New York's Finger Lakes region. The two dominated the field, duplicating their one-two finish from yesterday.

"It was a great weekend for the Boardwalk Ferrari team," Tucker said. "We were fast, and came away with a pair of strong finishes. It's great to get into the record books at this historic facility."

The weekend has been a continuation of the season-long battle between Tucker and Potolicchio. The drivers have battled head-to-head on the track and now face a showdown in the final event of the season -- the Ferrari Challenge International Finals in Spain.

"This is what you hope for as a driver: great cars and great racing," Tucker said. "I'm really looking forward to Valencia. It's a great circuit and I know the racing will be fantastic."

So far in 2010, Tucker has won four races and sits in second place in the season point standings. Following their remarkable 2009 showing, the team had high hopes for this season and has been continuing their record-setting ways.

Tucker set the fastest lap during the morning warm up with a lap speed of 107.251 mph. Then, he picked up speed in qualifying with a lap of 107.385 mph, and earned the second qualifying position behind Potolicchio. The team continued to improve as the weekend progressed. Between Friday and Saturday, Tucker recorded the top speed in three of the four practice sessions. His best lap came in practice session No. 3 on Saturday, 106.370 mph. Those efforts culminated in today's impressive performance.

"I know when we arrive at the track that we will have a fast car," Tucker said. "We started out strong and just kept improving all weekend. It's hard to be disappointed with a podium finish."

The Ferrari Challenge International Finals will take place November 25-28, 2010, in Valencia, Spain, at the Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo.

ABOUT BOARDWALK FERRARI

Boardwalk Ferrari, Located in Plano, Tex., is one of the nation's leading Ferrari and Maserati dealerships. The company has extensive involvement in motorsports including relationships in the American Le Mans Series and their extremely successful sponsorship of Level Five Motorsports Ferrari Challenge entry.

Tucker Turns Fastest Race Lap, Finishes Second at Watkins Glen

Sat, 04 Sep 2010 18:54:00 -0400

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Scott Tucker and the Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports team continued their quest for a North American Ferrari Challenge Series championship Saturday afternoon with a solid second-place finish in Race No. 1 at Watkins Glen International.

Tucker finished a mere .185 seconds behind series points leader Enzo Potolicchio. He turned the fastest lap of the race at 106.408 mph on lap 22.

Potolicchio led the race's first 16 laps on the 3.48-mile road course in Western New York before Tucker took his turn at the front on lap 17. Potolicchio regained the point on lap 18 and edged a persistent Tucker, whose No. 55 F430 was right on his bumper, to the checkered flag.

"It was a hard-fought race. It is very difficult to pass out there," Tucker said. "We simply ran out of laps. The Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports team prepared a great car for me. We'll come back out on Sunday and take another shot at a victory."

Tucker and the No. 55 Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports team have posted a victory in every Ferrari Challenge Series weekend in which they have participated in 2010. Tucker has won races at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Miller Motorsports Park, Infineon Raceway and New Jersey Motorsports Park in 2010.

Tucker looks to continue his victory string Sunday as he points toward a North American Ferrari Challenge Series championship. The title will be determined in November at the Ferrari Challenge World Finals in Spain.

"I am very happy to earn another podium finish," Tucker said, "We're focused on a championship and the points are key. But I love this track and its history so a win tomorrow would be really special."

Qualifying for Saturday's race was cancelled due to inclement weather. The field was set by points, with Tucker starting from the second position behind Potolicchio. The two drivers have been embroiled in a battle for the season championship with a showdown in the Finals looming.

Between Friday and Saturday, Tucker recorded the top speed in three of the four practice sessions. His best lap came in practice session No. 3 on Saturday, 106.370 mph. Qualifying for Race No. 2 is set for 11:10 a.m. Sunday, with the green flag scheduled for 1 p.m.

ABOUT BOARDWALK FERRARI

Tucker, Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports Focused On Two Checkered Flags at Watkins Glen

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 15:53:00 -0400

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After several weeks of intense points racing in the American Le Mans Series, Scott Tucker is looking forward to this weekend's Ferrari Challenge Series event at Watkins Glen International with only one thing in mind -- winning.

Tucker and the No. 55 Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports team have posted a victory in every Ferrari Challenge Series race weekend in which they have participated in 2010. They will look to continue that trend this weekend in western New York at a track where Tucker has found success. In the 2009 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series, Tucker and teammate Christophe Bouchut raced to Level 5 Motorsports' first podium finish there.

"Watkins Glen is a great place to race with a lot of history to it," Tucker said. "We're looking forward to going back there and adding our name to a prestigious list of winners at the track with a couple of strong runs."

Tucker and the Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports team tested at Watkins Glen in July between races in an already hectic racing schedule. The team was happy with the results of the test and expect to transfer those learnings to the race this weekend.

"We're pleased with the results of the test and we'll be well prepared when we get to The Glen," said Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports Team Manager David Stone. "Scott knows his way around the place, so we know he will be ready. The short course at Watkins Glen is very car dependent, so it's up to us to give him the car he needs to get to victory lane."

Tucker has won Ferrari Challenge Series races at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Miller Motorsports Park, Infineon Raceway and New Jersey Motorsports Park in 2010 and currently sits in a tie for second-place in the series point standings despite missing the Series' events in Montreal.

Qualifying for Race No. 1 at Watkins Glen is set for Saturday at 11:10 a.m. The green flag is scheduled to wave at 1 p.m. Qualifying for Race No. 2 is set for 11:10 a.m. Sunday, with the green flag scheduled for 1 p.m.

ABOUT BOARDWALK

Tucker, Level 5 Team Shine at Mosport; Set up Championship Showdown in Season Finale

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 21:59:00 -0400

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A challenging beginning to the weekend turned into a solid finish for Scott Tucker, Christophe Bouchut and the Level 5 Motorsports team Sunday at Mosport International Raceway. Tucker and Bouchut drove the No. 55 Microsoft-sponsored ORECA FLM09 to second place in the LMPC class in the Mobil 1 Grand Prix of Mosport, setting up a championship showdown in the season finale in October.

The No. 55 car started from the sixth position after making only two qualifying laps on Saturday. After a last-minute, pre-race engine change, Tucker and Bouchut made their way through the field and finished just 18 seconds behind Gunnar Jeannette.

Tucker and Jeannette are tied atop LMPC point standings heading into the season's final event, the 13th annual Petit Le Mans, set for October 2 at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia. Another strong performance from the team will be required for Tucker and Level 5 to claim the inaugural LMPC title.

"It was a tough weekend for the Level 5 Motorsports team. Getting on the podium really speaks to the determination of everyone in this organization," said Tucker, who started the race in the No. 55 and finished it in the No. 95 ORECA FLM09. "We battled a lot of adversity. We were able to hang in there and made up a lot of ground during the race. Now, it's on to Road Atlanta and a chance to win the championship."

A red flag after a crash between two GTC cars with 29 minutes left delayed the event. The accident took out approximately 60 feet of guardrail, prompting officials to wave the yellow flag and then the checkered flag once the race got back under way.

Andy Wallace began the race in the No. 95 Microsoft Office-sponsored entry. Tucker took over the seat of that car with approximately an hour left, and brought it home to a fourth-place finish in the LMPC class.

Level 5 Motorsports' ALMS team will take a four-week break to prepare for the season finale at Road Atlanta.

"We have put ourselves in a position to win a championship. That is what we have been working for all season long," said Level 5 Motorsports Team Manager David Stone. "The team has responded to a great deal of adversity with a lot of poise and confidence. Scott has done an unbelievable job behind the wheel, and Christophe and Andy have been phenomenal, too."

Next weekend, Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports is set to participate in the regular season finale for the Ferrari Challenge Series at Watkins Glen International as Tucker has his eyes set on a championship in that series as well.

About Microsoft Office 2010

The Microsoft® Office system provides tools to help people quickly and easily create great-looking documents, spreadsheets and presentations, organize and search for information in one place, and keep everything in one place, all with enhanced security. www.office.microsoft.com

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. www.microsoft.com

About Level 5 Motorsports

Level 5 Motorsports has fielded successful entries in the American Le Mans Series, NASCAR Grand Am Series, Ferrari Challenge Series and the Sports Car Club of America since 2005. Owner and driver Scott Tucker has earned national championships and numerous podium finishes in his illustrious driving career.

Bouchut Turns Fast Lap in Qualifying to Pace Level 5 Motorsports Effort

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 02:33:00 -0400

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Level 5 Motorsports' Christophe Bouchut turned his fastest lap of the weekend Saturday afternoon during qualifying for the Mobil 1 Presents the Grand Prix of Mosport. He will start from the fifth position in the LMPC class for Sunday's American Le Mans Series race at Mosport Speedway in Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada.

Bouchut drove the No. 55 Microsoft Office-sponsored ORECA FLM 09 to a fast lap of 1:12.260 around the 10-turn, 2.4-mile road course. Bouchut will be joined in the No. 55 ORECA FLM09 Sunday by teammate Scott Tucker, the leader in the LMPC point standings, who will also co-pilot the No. 95 ORECA FLM09 with Andy Wallace.

The No. 95 car, driven by Tucker, was involved in an on-track incident near the end of the final practice session Saturday. While other cars completed as many as 12 laps during the 20-minute qualifying session, the No. 95 ORECA FLM09 completed only two laps and will start from the sixth position in the LMPC class Sunday.

"After the incident, we were happy to simply get the No. 95 back out there to qualify," said Level 5 Motorsports Team Manager David Stone. "Christophe turned in some great laps during qualifying, the best the car has run all weekend. The pace will be a bit slower during the race, and we're confident that our talented and experienced drivers we'll be able to make up some ground during a 2 hour, 45-minute event."

Luis Diaz earned the top spot in LMPC qualifying with a fast lap of 1:11.455.

With two races remaining in the American Le Mans Series season, Tucker leads Gunnar Jeannette by four points in the LMPC standings.

"We're on top of the standings, and that's where we want to be," Tucker said. "Our goal is to leave Mosport with the lead heading into the season finale. That means we've got some work to do Sunday. We know the Level 5 Motorsports team will be up the challenge."

The season will conclude October 2 with the 13th annual Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia. It is third endurance race on the 2010 schedule and the first since May in Monterrey, California.

Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports will also participate in a Ferrari Challenge Series race at Watkins Glen International September 3-5.

The green flag for the Mobil 1 Grand Prix of Mosport is scheduled to wave Sunday at 3:05 p.m. ET. The race will be broadcast by the SPEED Channel on a tape-delayed basis, beginning at 4 p.m. ET.

About Microsoft Office 2010

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. www.microsoft.com

Tucker, Level 5 Motorsports Roar in Mosport in First Place

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 19:50:00 -0400

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With two races remaining in the season, Scott Tucker can almost see the finish line ahead. On the other side, an American Le Mans Series LMPC championship awaits.

Tucker leads the ALMS LMPC standings by four points over Gunnar Jeannette coming into this weekend's Mobil 1 Presents the Grand Prix of Mosport at Mosport Speedway in Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada. The season will conclude in October with the 13th annual Petit Le Mans.

Tucker's lead closed by seven points following last weekend's race at Road America in Wisconsin after a series of problems relegated the team to a third-place finish -- a solid finish but disappointing to a team focused on winning.

"Things are getting interesting for the championship. However, we're leading the points, so we're still the team to beat," said Tucker, who will co-drive both the No. 55 and No. 95 Microsoft Office-sponsored ORECA FLM09 this weekend at Mosport. "Our main goal is obviously to get another victory. If we do that, then the points take care of themselves going into the last race of the year.

"I'm looking forward to getting to Mosport to race. I know that the Level 5 Motorsports team will give us great cars and we'll be well-prepared when it comes time to qualify and race."

Mosport Speedway is a 10-turn, 2.4-mile road course. This weekend will be the only time the American Le Mans Series will race outside the United States in 2010.

"Mosport is a very fast racetrack, one of the fastest on our schedule," said Level 5 Motorsports Team Manager David Stone. "The track demands a lot of the car so we know we've got to be prepared."

Joining Tucker as usual will be Christophe Bouchut, in the No. 55, and Andy Wallace in the No. 95.

A 20-minute qualifying session for the LMPC cars for the Mobil 1 presents the Grand Prix of Mosport is set for 4:50 p.m. ET Saturday. The green flag is scheduled to wave Sunday at 3:05 p.m. ET. The race will be broadcast by the SPEED Channel on a tape-delayed basis, beginning at 4 p.m. ET.

The ALMS season finale is set for October 2 at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia. It is third endurance race on the 2010 schedule and the first since May in Monterrey, California.

"We will have some time off to think about that one," Tucker said. "But, we will continue to stay focused on our ultimate goal -- winning a championship."

Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports will also participate in a Ferrari Challenge Series race at Watkins Glen International September 3-5.

About Microsoft Office 2010

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. www.microsoft.com

About Level 5 Motorsports

Level 5 Team Fights for Podium Finish at Road America

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 12:06:00 -0400

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EKLHART LAKE, Wis. -- Championship teams know how to overcome adversity. Scott Tucker and the Level 5 Motorsports did that this weekend at Road America in the American Le Mans Series Time Warner Road Race Showcase.

After myriad engine problems hampered the Level 5 team's effort throughout the weekend, Tucker brought the No. 95 Microsoft Office 2010-sponsored ORECA FLM09 home in third place in the LMPC class Sunday. The finish allowed him to hold on to a four-point advantage over Gunnar Jeannette in the ALMS LMPC standings with two races remaining on the 2010 schedule.

A 20-second penalty for too many men over the wall during a pit stop with nearly an hour remaining in the 2-hour, 45-minute race also hurt the team's chances for a top-2 LMPC class finish. Jeannette won the LMPC class, taking the checkered flag in the No. 99 ORECA FLM09 by more than 21 seconds over Luis Diaz.

"You don't like to have penalties like that. But, in this case, our guys were just a bit overzealous," Level 5 Team Manager David Stone said. "The penalty really took us out of the opportunity to win.

"It was really incredible. It was a super human effort by those guys just to keep us in the hunt. They deserve a lot of credit and thanks for that."

Most of the Level 5 Motorsports crew went more than 38 hours without sleep after two engine failures on Friday and another on Saturday.

Andy Wallace started the race in the No. 95 ORECA FLM09 and ran up front in the LMPC class for several laps. An extended caution period with nearly an hour to go prompted the Level 5 team to pit, with Tucker taking over the seat.

It was during that pit stop that the Level 5 team was hit with the 20-second penalty. That allowed Jeannette to move into the lead and put Tucker back in fourth in the LMPC running order.

Tucker made up one spot prior to the checkered flag.

"We had a lot of things to overcome this weekend. It seemed like it was one thing or another," Tucker said. "Unfortunately, things like that happen. We hung in there and we came out of here still in the lead in the standings, and that's all that matters right now. We're still focused on winning a championship."

The No. 55 ORECA FLM09 encountered some tough luck Sunday. During the first half of the race, Tucker was involved in an accident that saw a GT car hit him from behind. The damage was too extensive for the Level 5 Motorsports team to repair.

Christophe Bouchut, co-driver of the No. 55 ORECA FLM09, did not get an opportunity to drive Sunday and didn't score any points.

Following this weekend's race, the American Le Mans Series visits Mosport Speedway in Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada, August 27-29, before the season finale 13th annual Petit Le Mans at Road America in Braselton, Georgia, September 29-October 2.

"We've got a lot of work to do before we get to Canada next week," Stone said. "We've got a wrecked car to repair before Wednesday, and we're going to have to thrash to get it done. We'll see what happens. Mosport is a fast track like Road America. It's going to be interesting to see what happens."

About Microsoft Office 2010

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. www.microsoft.com

Level 5 Team Whips Engine Problems with Solid Qualifying Effort

Sat, 21 Aug 2010 22:15:00 -0400

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ELKHART LAKE, Wis. -- After overcoming major adversity throughout the weekend, the Level 5 Motorsports team, with Andy Wallace behind the wheel of the No. 95 ORECA FLM 09, will start fourth in the LMPC class in the American Le Mans Series' Time Warner Road Race Showcase at Road America.

Engine problems on both Friday and Saturday hampered the Level 5 Motorsports effort. However, Wallace qualified the Microsoft Office 2010-sponsored No. 95 O in a time of 2:00.740 around the 4.045-mile, 14-turn road course.

"Sometimes, things just happen. But, it's the teams that have guts and character that come through it," said Scott Tucker, co-driver of the No. 95. "This Level 5 team has shown a lot of that this weekend, and that's why we're a championship contender."

On Friday, both of the team's cars, the No. 55 ORECA FLM09 and the No. 95 ORECA FLM09, encountered engine failure. New engines were sent overnight to the team in Eklhart Lake on Saturday morning. The team worked non-stop Saturday to prepare the cars for practice and qualifying.

"I can't say enough about how the team has responded under these circumstances," Level 5 Motorsports team manager David Stone said. "It's a testament to this team and its dedication to win a championship. They're all hungry and will do whatever it takes to accomplish that goal."

In Saturday's first practice session, the No. 55 ORECA FLM09 unexpectedly lost another engine. The car did not participate in the final practice session and did not qualify. The Level 5 Motorsports team, however, intends to get the car ready to race on Sunday.

In Saturday's final practice session prior to qualifying, Tucker and Wallace were third on the LMPC speed chart with a best lap of 2:02.279.

Tucker leads the LMPC standings and carries an 11-point advantage over Gunnar Jeannette into Sunday's race. Christophe Bouchut, Tucker's Level 5 Motorsports teammate and co-driver of the No. 55, is third in the standings, 13 points behind Tucker. Andy Wallace co-drives the No. 95 with Tucker.

The Time Warner Road Race Showcase is the seventh of nine races on the 2010 ALMS schedule. Tucker has scored four LMPC class victories in the first six events.

Tucker hopes to continue his success at Road America. In September 2009, he drove to victory in the T1 race in the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) National Championship Runoffs at Road America.

Road America is the longest track on the ALMS schedule. It is the third-fastest track on the schedule, but with the fastest corner speed.

The green flag is scheduled to wave Sunday for the Time Warner Road Race Showcase at 3:05 p.m. ET. The race will be broadcast live by the SPEED Channel, beginning at 3 p.m. ET.

About Microsoft Office 2010

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. www.microsoft.com

Level 5 Motorsports and Microsoft Office 2010: Fast friends

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 20:18:00 -0400

As one of the premier teams in the American Le Mans Series' Le Mans Prototype Challenge, Level 5 Motorsports knows that it takes teamwork to mount a successful campaign in the highly competitive world of professional motorsports. That is what makes having Microsoft Office 2010 part of the team so important.

"This is well beyond a typical race car-sponsor relationship," Level 5 owner / driver Scott Tucker said. "We've allowed them into our operation to see how we use Office 2010 to support our team. And they, in turn, have helped us get even more out of the software. That certainly helps us get the most out of our efforts, which translates into winning races." With Microsoft Office on board since the season-opener at Florida's Sebring International Raceway, the Level 5 team has been on quite a roll. The team has four victories and sits atop the point standings. But, heading into this inaugural season for the LMPC in the American Le Mans Series, there were many unknowns.

"This team brought a lot of racing experience to the table, but certainly the new car presented us all with quite a learning curve," Tucker said. "Our success on the track shows the professionalism of this whole team."

That professionalism and experience attracted Microsoft Office and fueled this unique sponsorship program, the first of its kind for Microsoft Office. The platform was developed by Level 5's marketing and communications agency, Anthem Media Group.

"We knew we had a unique opportunity with Microsoft Office," said Brian Weaver, CEO of Anthem Media Group. "We were able to tailor this program around their very specific set of objectives and drive tremendous value through this relationship."

The exposure earned by the multiple-race-winning team is only the beginning for Microsoft Office. The software giant, and Microsoft service partner Core BTS, has become embedded with Level 5 Motorsports to experience first-hand the demands of running the organization.

"Certainly we were attracted to this sponsorship for the traditional reasons: great exposure for our products. But, we also saw that we could do something rather unique with this opportunity," said Chris Barry, Director in Microsoft Office. "We wanted to show how Office 2010 could help even the highly technical, fast-paced business of racing be more productive."

The hands-on approach for Microsoft Office was essential to understanding the day-to-day needs of the team. From office personnel, to crew members to drivers --Office 2010 is a part of nearly every facet of the team's activities.

"There are more moving parts to this operation than most people realize," said David Stone, Team Manager for Level 5. "Microsoft Office and Core BTS got an up-close view of what the race team is all about. And, they certainly have a product capable of supporting this effort."

For their part, Core BTS was thrilled to have the chance to undertake such a project.

"In my 17 years of consulting, I have helped many businesses leverage Microsoft platforms in a variety of different ways," said Nicholas Morris, Vice President of Enterprise Architecture, Core BTS. "But nothing has inspired us quite like the opportunity with Level 5. It became apparent while developing the solution that Office 2010 presented a real competitive advantage for the team and provided an excellent platform for rapid development."

This weekend, as the ALMS races at Wisconsin's Road America, Microsoft Officials and the Core BTS team will be trackside as Level 5 race competes at the highest level.

"We're looking forward to seeing just how this incredible organization puts all of the planning into action," Barry said. "We'll be looking to help them find even more ways that Microsoft products can help."

The result of this weekend's activities, and the months of work that have gone into this program, will be a series of video case studies that will demonstrate the power of Microsoft Office to support any business. Those videos and the supporting information will be made available to IT professionals and other users of Microsoft Office later this summer.

"If you think Office 2010 solutions are only relevant within office buildings, the solution we implemented for Level 5 shoots that idea right out the window," added Tim McKellips, Solutions Architect with Core BTS. "It is truly amazing what the product can do for any organization, race teams included, when applied intelligently to their unique needs."

About Microsoft Office 2010

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. www.microsoft.com

About Core BTS

Core BTS, Inc. is a leading business transformation company, providing organizations comprehensive IT solutions through True Lifecycle Management. Across the breadth of Core's competencies in data center, security, application development, collaboration, managed services and Inacom Learning practices, Core maintains a unique and consistent methodology that begins with business analysis, continues with scope and deployment, and closes with hands-on training and ongoing support.

Core brings clients the expertise, availability, knowledge and talent of more than 350 skilled professionals. Core BTS is headquartered in Madison, WI, with offices across the Midwest and East Coast. For more information, visit www.corebts.com.

About Level 5 Motorsports

Level 5 Motorsports Shoots for Continued Success at Road America

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 19:21:00 -0400

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Simply the mention of Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, brings a huge smile to the face of Level 5 Motorsports' Scott Tucker. It is the site of Tucker's first major racing championship.

It is also the site of this weekend's Time Warner Road Race Showcase, the seventh of nine races on the 2010 American Le Mans Series schedule. It's a track where Tucker and Level 5 Motorsports will look to continue their quest for yet another championship trophy.

In September 2009, Tucker drove to victory in the T1 race in the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) National Championship Runoffs at Road America.

"There is no doubt that I've got some fond memories of Road America," said Tucker, who brings an 11-point advantage in the ALMS LMPC standings into Sunday's 2-hour, 45-minute event. "It had always been a dream of mine to win a racing championship, and we got the job done at Road America last year.

"We know how to win at Road America, so we would like to do that again this weekend in the American Le Mans Series."

Tucker and Christophe Bouchut, who have scored four victories in six ALMS races this season, will pilot the Microsoft Office 2010-sponsored No. 55 ORECA FLM09 this weekend. Level 5 Motorsports' second car, the No. 95 ORECA FLM09, will be piloted by Tucker and Andy Wallace.

Road America, a 4.045-mile road course, is the longest track on the ALMS schedule. It sports 14 turns, nine to the right and five to the left. It is the third-fastest track on the schedule, but with the fastest corner speed.

This weekend is also special for Level 5 Motorsports as official's from Microsoft -- the team's sponsor -- will be on hand to experience for themselves the excitement of the American Le Mans Series. Level 5 and Microsoft have spent several months deploying Office 2010 software solutions within the Level 5 organization. This weekend is a continuation of that effort, the result of which will be shared with IT professionals and other users of Microsoft Office through video case studies.

A 20-minute qualifying sessions for the LMPC cars for the Time Warner Road Race Showcase is set for Saturday at 4:40 p.m. ET. The green flag is scheduled to wave Sunday at 3:05 p.m. ET. The race will be broadcast live by the SPEED Channel, beginning at 3:05 p.m. ET.

Following this weekend's event, there will be two races left on the ALMS schedule. The series visits Mosport Speedway in Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada, August 27-29, before the season finale 13th annual Petit Le Mans at Road America in Braselton, Georgia, September 29-October 2.

About Microsoft Office 2010

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. www.microsoft.com

Level 5 Extends Point Lead With History-Making Win at Mid-Ohio

Sun, 08 Aug 2010 15:03:00 -0400

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After setting a track record and earning the pole for the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge, Level 5 Motorsports drivers Scott Tucker and Christophe Bouchut backed up that performance with a dominating LMPC class win and the team's second overall podium finish in the 2010 American Le Mans Series. The win also marked an amazing milestone for Bouchut who recorded his 100th career victory.

"I was pushing because nothing other than a win would do for us today," said Bouchut. "I'm proud to get such a big win with this team."

The two-hour and 45-minute endurance event saw incredible action in all classes, including the Le Mans Prototype Challenge where Level 5 enjoys a sizable point lead. Tucker and Bouchut proved once again that their No. 55 Microsoft Office 2010 ORECA FLM09 was the class of the field.

"What a great day for the whole Level 5 organization," said Tucker, who drove both the No. 55 and the team's other LMPC car, the No. 95, in today's event. "I'm thrilled for Christophe and I'm glad to have him as part of our team."

Bouchut's career in sports car racing ranks among the best the sport has ever seen. Starting with his three French karting championships in the 80s, he quickly added a Formula Ford Championship and three French Formula 3 Championships. In 1993, he was part of the 24 Hours of Le Mans-winning Peugeut team. He followed that up with a win in the Rolex 24 At Daytona in 1995 and the 24 Hours of Spa in 2002. He has won the Porsche Cup four times and the FIA GT Championship three times en route to this remarkable total of 100 global wins.

"Today was a good day for this whole team," Bouchut said. "We've got our focus on the championship so I hope to get a few more wins this year."

In his time behind the wheel of the No. 55, Tucker posted strong lap times and navigated on-track incidents to benefit from well-timed pit stops.

"Our strategy paid off well today, too," Tucker said. "We avoided trouble and took advantage of the full-course yellows to get ourselves in the best position possible."

Tucker was joined by veteran Andy Wallace and the duo drove the No. 95 to a fifth-place finish in the LMPC class, and a strong eighth-place finish overall. Unlike the 55, the 95 car fell victim to ill-timed cautions and tire issues that hampered their runs.

"We struggled a bit with the 95 this weekend," Tucker said. "We were down on straight-line speed and had some back luck. But the team put the usual effort into getting it better and better and we had a good finish."

This weekend's event will be broadcast on a tape-delayed basis on CBS, August 15, 2010 at 12:30 p.m. ET.

ALMS events remain at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin (August 20-22), Mosport in Canada (August 27-29), and the Petit Le Mans endurance race at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia (September 29-October 2).

About Microsoft Office 2010

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. www.microsoft.com

Level 5 Motorsports Sets New Course Record in Capturing Pole at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 21:52:00 -0400

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Scott Tucker and the Level 5 Motorsports team set a new track record in qualifying and will start on the pole at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, in Saturday's Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge. The No. 55 Level 5 Motorsports Microsoft Office 2010-sponsored Le Mans Prototype Challenge entry driven by Christophe Bouchut ran a fastest lap of 115.906 for a best-in-class lap.

Bouchut raced to an early lead in the qualifying session, then was passed by Tucker in the No. 95 entry. The teammates traded the point several times. Then, with about about 10 minutes remaining, Bouchut set the fastest lap time and held on to take the pole position.

"It is a nice feeling again to be on pole position," Bouchut said. "The car is running very well today, and thanks to Level 5 for the hard work. One of the challenges tomorrow will be getting around other cars. The traffic in the U.S. is very hard to predict. It's very hard for us to overtake and that is a challenge at each circuit. It's important not to make mistakes when you try to overtake."

The result was especially satisfying for two reasons. First, the car was almost completely rebuilt after it suffered damage during the race at Lime Rock Park in late July. Second, the car suffered a power loss with Tucker behind the wheel during today's practice session immediately prior to qualifying. He pulled the car off and stopped at Turn 9.

"The car just lost power," Tucker said. "I think we were actually tapped by a GT car causing the No. 55 to hit the wall."

The car was taken to the paddock for repairs on the back of a truck, but was ready in time to qualify for tomorrow's race.

Tucker qualified the No. 95 car sixth in the LMPC class, with a time of 1:18.339.

"This team bounced back after some technical difficulties," Tucker said. "We'll come out even stronger tomorrow. We will be looking for a win in tomorrow's race, which will increase our lead in the point standings."

When the green flag waves Saturday, Tucker will team with Bouchut in the No. 55. He will also perform double duty while racing behind the wheel of the No. 95 with teammate Andy Wallace.

This is the third pole the team has won during the 2010 ALMS season. They also claimed three checkered flags at Sebring, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and Miller Motorsports Park while finishing second on the Streets of Long Beach, California.

The duo has a four-point lead in the LMPC standings over Gunnar Jeannette.

This weekend's event will be broadcast on a tape-delayed basis on CBS, August 15, 2010 at 12:30 p.m. ET.

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Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. www.microsoft.com

Level 5 Motorsports Looks to Extend Championship Points Lead at Mid-Ohio

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 11:46:00 -0400

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Scott Tucker and the Level 5 Motorsports team bring the points lead and a history of success into the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course this weekend, the seventh stop of the American Le Mans Series season. Tucker will team with renowned drivers Christophe Bouchut in the No. 55 Level 5 Motorsports Microsoft Office 2010-sponsored Le Mans Prototype Challenge entry and Andy Wallace in the team's second entry -- the No. 95 -- in the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge.

Level 5 Motorsports is following up its dominant showing at Connecticut's Lime Rock Park, where the team set a track record in qualifying on the pole, then went on to a strong third-place finish in the LMPC class. Tucker and Bouchut hold first and third place in the point standings, bookending the second-place driver Gunnar Jeannette.

Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is a classic circuit in the truest sense. The 2.4-mile, 15-turn road course has challenged the tenacity of the world's top drivers for more than four decades. This event marks the start of the ALMS championship run as the first of three races in a four-week span.

"I am really looking forward to racing Mid-Ohio with this LMPC car," Tucker said. "We have had tremendous showings so far this season, and expect to have a great weekend here. We've got a good feel for this track and I think this car will be great to race here."

The team has been collecting accolades all season. First, they earned a podium spot for the Rolex 24 At Daytona, the Grand American Rolex Series event at Daytona International Speedway in January. Since then, owner / driver Scott Tucker has won four Ferrari Challenge Series races in 2010 and leads the point standings in that prestigious series. In this the inaugural season for the Le Mans Prototype Challenge, Tucker and Bouchut have set numerous track records in races and qualifying.

"We are looking forward to getting in the car this weekend," Tucker said. "This team has proven it can get the job done and we're always eager to get on the track and show what we can do."

This weekend's event will be broadcast on a tape-delayed basis on CBS, August 15, 2010 at 12:30 p.m. ET.

About Microsoft Office 2010

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. www.microsoft.com

Tucker, Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Team Maintain Competitive Pace in Ferrari Challenge Race 2

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 19:32:00 -0400

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Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports driver Scott Tucker completed his weekend at New Jersey Motorsports Park with an impressive performance in Race 2 of the Ferrari Challenge Series. Tucker bested the field during the practice session in the morning, setting a lap time of 1:25.531 at 94.703 mph. Then, he collected his second consecutive pole award in the No. 55 Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports F430 with a fastest lap of 1:24.656 at 95.681 mph.

Tucker took a commanding lead in Race 2 on the 14-turn road course. He held the point over Enzo Potolicchio in the No. 22 The Collection Ferrari, setting the pace for 21 laps of the 31-lap race.

In the late going, with Tucker still in the lead, the No. 55 developed electrical problems. Although Potolicchio was able to get around him on lap 22, Tucker persevered while battling an ailing car. The No. 55 finally succumbed on lap 28, taking Tucker out of a hard-fought race.

"When the car was good it was great," Tucker said. "When we wanted to drive at a normal pace and maintain the speed, we could. When we wanted to pull away, we pulled away. Even after we developed electrical problems, the car soldiered on."

Constant communication between driver and team kept the car in the hunt. After finally deciding to pit with 10 minutes to go, the team was able to repair the car and get it back on the track in time to take the checkered flag.

Potolicchio went on to win the race; Tucker placed 10th.

"I can't complain for the weekend, and I can't say enough about this team and this car," Tucker said. "This Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports team performed great in yesterday's victory, and stayed in the trenches today."

Tucker did make a podium appearance after being awarded a sportsman's trophy in recognition of his efforts on the track.

New Jersey Motorsports Park has been a track of much success for Tucker and the Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports team. He won Race 1 yesterday, and set a track record here in qualifying his F430 and finished a solid second in the first event in 2009. He then led every lap in winning the second race of the weekend.

Tucker has posted one victory at each of the previous events in which the team has participated in 2010. He has also scored checkered flags at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Miller Motorsports Park and Infineon Raceway.

Despite missing one event -- the Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports team did not race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal in June due to a commitment at the 24-Hours of Le Mans --Tucker came into this weekend third in the Ferrari Challenge Series championship standings.

The next Ferrari Challenge Series event for Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports is set for September 3-5 at Watkins Glen International in upstate New York.

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Tucker, Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Team On Top in Ferrari Challenge Race 1 at New Jersey Motorsports

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 18:53:00 -0400

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Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports driver Scott Tucker continued his 2010 dominance Saturday by winning Race 1 of the Ferrari Challenge Series at New Jersey Motorsports Park. The victory came at the end of a dramatic 30-lap run that included daring lead changes, on-track contact between the leaders and a late battle to the checkers.

The day began for Tucker with solid practice sessions setting a lap time of 1:25.409 at 94.838 mph. He then took the No. 55 Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports F430 to the top spot in qualifying with a fastest lap of 1:25.507 at 94.729 mph.

When the green flag waved to start the race, Tucker got a jump on Enzo Potolicchio's No 22 car and pulled out to a five-car-length lead. Tucker maintained a commanding pace through the first 10 minutes of the action.

That's when the action started heating up. With Tucker in the lead, Potolicchio in second, the two encountered the last car on the lead lap and prepared to make a pass. The three cars arrived at one of the most challenging turns on this road course. As they exited the turn, Tucker got on the brakes to avoid hitting the slower car. The move allowed the No. 22 to get around, but Tucker stayed close on him bumper.

"I didn't cut any slack out there. I kept on the pressure," Tucker said. "I finally got good run out of 12 on front straightaway and was able to make the pass on Enzo."

As the racers entered Turn 1 with Tucker on the inside front, Potolicchio braked late going into the corner and caught Tucker's bumper, sending the No. 55 F430 spinning into the dirt. The mishap allowed Francesco Piovanetti to take the lead in the No. 3 The Collection Ferrari.

With Piovanetti in the lead, Tucker got back on course and maintained the third position, in spite of the damaged suffered by the No. 55. Potolicchio suffered damage to his brakes and rear rotor. Undaunted, Tucker chased him down.

However, time was running out. Just as it appeared there wasn't enough race left, the yellow flags came out for a full-course caution, which brought the field back together.

"By that time, I had both Piovanetti and Potolicchio in my windshield and was just concentrating on closing the gap," Tucker said.

When the green flag waved to restart the race, teammates Piovanetti and Potolicchio raced with a lapped car in between. Realizing his position, the slower car moved out of the way to let the leaders pass. However, Potolicchio began running interference for his teammate, holding Tucker in third.

Driving a wounded car, Tucker maneuvered around Potolicchio, and began chasing down the leader. On lap 23, Tucker made a decisive pass on Piovanetti and carried the field to the checkered flag with Piovanetti in second and Potolicchio in third.

"This is a tremendous victory," Tucker said in Victory Lane. "This team is unstoppable. And, when that checkered flag waves, that is what gets you to the front -- the team."

During the post-race review, Potolicchio was penalized one minute for unnecessary contact, which dropped him to seventh place.

"It has been a great day for this Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports team," Tucker said. "Even after the spin, the car still maintained a winning pace. This is a great racetrack and we love the action here."

New Jersey Motorsports Park, a 2.25-mile, 14-turn road course in Millville, New Jersey, is conducive to success for Tucker and the Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports team. In 2009, Tucker set a track record here in qualifying his F430 and finished a solid second in the first event. He then led every lap in winning the second race of the weekend.

Qualifying for the second race of Round 5 of the Ferrari Challenge Series is set for 10 a.m. ET Sunday, with the green flag scheduled to wave at 2:15 p.m. ET.

The next Ferrari Challenge Series event for Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports is set for September 3-5 at Watkins Glen International in upstate New York.

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