Level 5 Motorsports News - Ferrari Challenge

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.

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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.

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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.

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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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Tucker, Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports Team Look to Continue New Jersey Success Story

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:49:00 -0400

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With three victories already behind him in the Ferrari Challenge Series in 2010, Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports driver Scott Tucker has his sights set on two more this weekend at New Jersey Motorsports Park.

The 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 there in qualifying in his F430 and finished a solid second in the first event. He led every lap in winning the second race of the weekend.

"We are really looking forward to going back to New Jersey," Tucker said. "When you see a track where you have won before on the schedule, you can't help but be enthusiastic about returning there.

"We had a couple of really good races there a year ago, and we have the track record for qualifying. We are hoping for more of the same success this weekend."

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

The Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports team did not race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal in June due to a commitment to the American Le Mans Series. Despite missing that event, Tucker comes into this weekend third in the Ferrari Challenge Series championship standings.

"Winning races is where our focus is. We expect to come out of New Jersey with a pair of victories," Tucker said.

Qualifying for the first race of Round 5 of the Ferrari Challenge Series is set for 12:05 p.m. ET Saturday, and the green flag is scheduled to wave at 2:30 p.m. ET. Qualifying for the second race is set for 10 a.m. ET Sunday, with the green flag scheduled to wave at 2:15 p.m. ET.

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Tucker Dominates Field at Infineon Raceway, Takes Over Championship Lead

Mon, 03 May 2010 15:06:00 -0400

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In a show of sheer force, Scott Tucker dominated the field in his No. 55 Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports F430 to take the checkers in race 2 of the Ferrari Challenge Series at Infineon Raceway Sunday. In claiming the victory, Tucker set a new track record and led every lap.

Tucker started the race from the pole and led the other entrants through the challenging 12-turn, 1.99-mile road course. He led by a margin of .9 seconds after first lap, which he increased to 1.4 seconds after lap two. Just 15 minutes in, Tucker was up by 30 car lengths and began to encounter back-markers.

In an extraordinary display, Tucker continued to expand his lead. With a notoriously difficult track and challenging passing conditions, he quickly proved the value of starting up front.

"Everybody knows that passing is nearly impossible at Infineon," Tucker said. "But, today, we proved what we could do once we got in front. This is a terrific victory for the No. 55 Boardwalk Ferrari team."

Throughout the race, the Level 5 Ferrari was the class of the field opening up the lead to over 50 car lengths and working through lapped traffic with ease.

Saturday's race winner Politicchio was never a challenge in race two. He spun off the track twice and ended the race in 6th place after starting second.

"I love racing like this," Tucker said. "This team dominated the race and the track. It is such a thrill to take that checkered flag after such a performance."

Tucker had the fastest car all weekend, leading the practice sessions and finishing a mere .15 seconds behind the leader Saturday. By lap two today, Tucker set the fastest lap of 86.134 mph (1:46.578). He showed the team's strength and put on a clinic with yet another win in his record-setting career in the Ferrari Challenge Series.

Among those impressed by this performance was none other than Ferrari North America CEO Marco Mattiacci.

"That was an amazing race," Mattiacci said. "And Scott again proved to be an incredible, valuable driver. I am new in Ferrari North America, but I have been told how hard he worked to arrive to this level and I am extremely impressed by his consistency and performance. This is a talented and very disciplined professional."

Tucker ultimately claimed a 31.862-second victory over the other top-five finishers, Harry Cheung, Francesco Piovanetti, Darred Crystal and Ryan Ockey.

The No. 55 Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports team will skip the next Ferrari Challenge Series race June 11-13 in order to compete in the famed Le Mans 24 hour race in France. Tucker has been selected to join Audi factory-backed Team Kolles in the famous race.

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Tucker Brings Home Solid Second-Place Finish at Infineon Raceway

Mon, 03 May 2010 02:14:00 -0400

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Scott Tucker and the No. 55 Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports team started strong and finished strong Saturday, coming home second by less than a car length behind Enzo Politicchio in race 1 of the Ferrari Challenge Series at Infineon Raceway.

More than half of the 45-minute race was run under a full-course caution, putting a damper on the strategy of the Level 5 Motorsports team to conserve tires during qualifying. Tucker, who started second, cut short his qualifying run in his No. 55 F430 in order to minimize tire wear.

However, an accident on lap eight involving Ted Skokos and Damon Ockey brought out the yellow flag. The track stayed under caution for seven laps -- a total of 23 minutes -- and the green flag didn't drop until only seven minutes remained.

"We certainly didn't anticipate that," Tucker said. "We had the perfect strategy. Our tires would have been newer and fresher than the leader's. But, with the caution lasting that long, it took away our advantage. We fought as hard as we could to get up there and get by Enzo. It was close."

Tucker has finished on the podium at Infineon Raceway - a 2.52-mile, 12-turn road course - every year since he made his debut in the Ferrari Challenge Series in 2007. He finished a mere .15 seconds behind Politicchio. In Saturday's practice sessions, Tucker was the car to beat setting fast times in both sessions.

Harry Cheung finished third, followed by Fracesco Piovanetti and Ty Hubbard.

Tucker ripped off the fastest lap in Saturday morning's practice session at 84.421 mph (1:45.29). During qualifying, Tucker needed only three laps before he was satisfied. After a fast lap of 87.504 mph (1:44.309), the Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports team decided to sit tight, save tires and prepare for the race.

Tucker's strategy netted him a solid starting position on the outside of Row 1, only .076 seconds behind the pole winner, Potolicchio. After the drop of the green flag, Politicchio led at the first turn, but with Tucker all over his bumper. With the top two cars putting distance themselves and the rest of the field, Tucker remained a close second behind Politicchio for the first 15 minutes before the caution flag came out.

"This is a racetrack where it is very difficult to pass, and that was the case today," Tucker said. "When you get out front, you're really at an advantage. We gave it a great run and we fell just a little bit short. This gives us a lot of information to digest and a gives us a lot to think about heading into tomorrow."

Tucker ran the fastest lap of the race at 84.874 mph (1:46.330). Skokos, Tucker's Level 5 Motorsports teammate, was unable to finish the race following the incident on lap 7. He was admitted to a local hospital for observation following the serious accident.

Qualifying for the second F430 race is set for 10 am PT Sunday. The green flag is set for 1:45 pm PT.

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Tucker and Level 5 Prepare for Ferrari Challenge in Sonoma California

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 15:40:00 -0400

Scott Tucker and the Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports team have enjoyed a great deal of success at Infineon Raceway the past three seasons of Ferrari racing. And, the winningest driver in series history expects nothing less when the Ferrari Challenge visits the 2.52-mile, 12-turn road course this weekend.

The driver of the No. 55 Crown Royal Cask No. 16 Ferrari F430 Challenge won one of the two races at Infineon in his first season in 2007. In 2008, he swept the weekend races there. In 2009, he finished on the podium for both races.

"I definitely like racing at Infineon, but it's not going to be easy," said Tucker, who sits a close second in the North America Ferrari Challenge Series standings. "It is a very technical track. The key is to get out front and stay there because it is so difficult to pass.

"Many people say that Infineon Raceway is the most technical road course in North America, and that the Turn 1 and 2 complex is one of the more technical turns at any track in the country. It's very challenging, and it's not something you can take lightly."

That is what makes Saturday and Sunday morning's qualifying sessions crucial.

"Qualifying is very, very important at Infineon," Tucker said. "Getting out front is such a huge advantage. If you're able to do that, most often you're able to pull away and put a couple of car lengths between you and the next car because everybody else is fighting for position.

"I'm confident that team manager David Stone and the rest of the Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports team have done a great job in preparing the cars for both qualifying and the race. We'll be right there when the checkered flag waves on both Saturday and Sunday."

Tucker is coming off a strong weekend at Miller Motorsports Park two weeks ago in which he won one race and finished second in the other. That gives him two victories in the first four races of 2010. His other triumph came at Homestead-Miami Speedway in March.

"As a driver, Scott is picking up where he left off last year," Stone said. "We've come to expect solid results out of Scott every time out in the Ferrari Challenge Series."

Ted Skokos, Tucker's Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports teammate, is coming off a top-five finish at Miller Motorsports Park in the No. 2 Ferrari F430. After qualifying 13th, he moved up a hard earned eight positions to finish fifth.

"We'd like to build on that momentum at Infineon," Skokos said.

Qualifying for the first F430 race at Infineon Raceway is set for 12:05 pm PT Saturday. The green flag is scheduled to wave at 2:40 pm PT. Qualifying for the second F430 race is set for 10 am PT Sunday. The green flag is set for 1:45 pm PT.

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Skokos Scores Top-Five Finish at Miller Motorsports Park

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 14:40:00 -0400

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TOOELE, Utah - Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports driver Ted Skokos capped off a challenging weekend Sunday, charging from the back of the field for a strong top-five finish in the second of two Ferrari Challenge Series races at Miller Motorsports Park.

Skokos' fifth-place finish in Sunday's race required incredible effort in extremely challenging conditions. He started 13th, but drove the No. 2T F430 past several contenders, including Saturday's race winner, Harry Cheung, who finished sixth. Strong winds reaching 60 mph hampered the drivers' efforts Sunday, changing the setups on the cars.

"Starting from the rear of the field didn't do us any favors. But, we were able to weave our way through traffic and come home with a top five, so that's a pretty good effort," Skokos said. "There are not many places to pass on this track, so it took a lot of work. But, this team really rebounded from the problems on Saturday and gave me a great car to drive."

After qualifying sixth for Saturday's race with a best lap of 1:35.769 (84.203 mph), Skokos methodically picked up positions and appeared to be podium-bound when his shifter broke. He was forced to retire with just three laps remaining.

"We just didn't have much luck," Skokos said. "You can't anticipate mechanical problems. Sometimes, they just happen."

Skokos remains in the top five of the Ferrari Challenge championship standings, thanks in part to a strong showing at the season-opening event at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Skokos started the season in style scoring a second-place finish, his first career podium at the South Florida Circuit.

Skokos and the No. 2 Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports team return to the track in the Ferrari Challenge on May 1-2 at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California.

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Tucker Completes Successful Test of Newest Ferrari Prototype Supercar at Miller Motorsports Park

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 14:03:00 -0400

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TOOELE, Utah - As the most successful driver in Ferrari Challenge Series history, Scott Tucker clearly feels at home on the track and behind the wheel of a Maranello supercar. That on-track prowess caught the attention of the legendary factory as he was invited to be part of an elite team testing the newest Ferrari prototype supercar, the 599XX.

Tucker was one of a handful of drivers selected to assist Ferrari SpA. in the development of its next generation of supercars and road cars. He was personally invited to be a factory test pilot by Ferrari's CEO, Amedeo Felisa, in January - an honor not lost on the U.S. driver.

"It was a tremendous privilege to be asked to test these cars for Ferrari," said Tucker. "To be part of its development -- from the beginning -- is a great thrill."

Tucker got his opportunity to get behind the wheel at Homestead-Miami Speedway in March. During that session, Tucker was able to put the car though some simulated race conditions to find out how it responds to extreme driving.

"The car is fast and very well-balanced," said Tucker. "I put it through 10 laps of race simulation to really shake it down."

That feedback was provided to factory engineers who immediately went to work on continuing the complex process of developing the car for release. In the weeks that followed, the work moved at a furious pace, and the results were evident this past weekend as Tucker once again was on track - this time at Utah's Miller Motorsports Park - putting the car through its paces.

"At Homestead, we really focused on speed," Tucker said. "At Miller, we spent a great deal of time on the brakes. The track is a very technical 14-turn layout so we were able to get a great deal of data on braking and stability. We're making great progress with the car."

With more than five hours of testing over four days, Tucker has recorded the fastest laps of any driver in the exclusive test-driver corps. But, the work does not end here. Tucker will once again take to the track for Ferrari in July in Germany at the famed Nurburgring Circuit.

"They will take the results from the North American test sessions back to Italy and work on the cars," Tucker said. "We'll resume in Germany and take yet another crucial step in the development of this great car."

Tucker will also resume racing as the Ferrari Challenge Series heads to Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., May 1-2.

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Tucker Wins at Miller Motorsports Park

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 23:31:00 -0400

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TOOELE, Utah - Scott Tucker and the Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports team closed out another successful weekend Sunday with back-to-back podiums and a win in race two of the Ferrari Challenge at Miller Motorsports Park.

Tucker, the most successful driver in Ferrari Challenge Series history, backed up a second-place finish yesterday and leaves Utah having earned more points than any other driver during the weekend. With two of this year's six events in the record books, he is well-positioned for a run at the series championship.

"We came here with victories in mind," Tucker said. "Our qualifying times were a little off during the weekend, but I think we made up for it during the races. Getting the win and earning points is vital as we look toward the championship.

"We had a great run on Saturday and fell short because of a tire problem. Today, we fought hard to make our way toward the front. It was a great effort by the Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports team, and they gave me a great car both days."

Strong winds reaching 60 mph proved to be a tremendous factor, making Sunday's race at the 2.24-mile road coarse completely different from Saturday's. Crews and drivers worked to adjust the set-ups on the cars during practice. Sunday morning's session saw Tucker turn in the fastest lap time. He went on to qualify his No. 55 Ferrari F430 in the fourth position with a fast lap of 1:36.452 (83.606 mph).

"The winds and the weather made it an unbelievable challenge for all of the drivers," said Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports Team Manager David Stone. "Scott did a fantastic job fighting through it all and showed how good of a driver he is passing cars on the track. In all, it was a great weekend."

At the beginning of the race, Enzo Potolicchio checked up, causing a collision with Tucker. Potolicchio received a penalty for moving out of his driving line, but the bigger story was the damage inflicted on Tucker's machine. One of the cars radiators was destroyed and the aerodynamics were greatly impacted by the contact.

"Immediately, the car had blinking alarms all over the place," said Tucker. "I had to drive it like that the entire race."

Tucker then waged a fierce battle with Sun Ho Lee for several laps. Tucker wore Lee down and finally passed him for position with five laps remaining. The effort was nothing short of heroic on a course known for limited passing opportunities.

"I had to fight like a dog out there today," Tucker said. "Being down on power and fighting an aero problem really gave me a handful. I had to wage an immediate war with Francesco [Piovanetti], then after I finally got by him, I had to run down Sun Ho Lee. It was some serious work, but a lot of fun."

In addition to his duties driving this weekend in the No. 55 F430, Tucker continued to test for Ferrari and their new for Prototype 599XX. He was personally invited to be a factory test pilot by Ferrari's CEO, Amedeo Felisa, in January.

Tucker first tested the car in a private session and exhibition at Homestead-Miami Speedway, the first ever to be held on American soil, in March. This latest round of testing among a select group of international drivers is yet another step in a complex process for the legendary manufacturer. In February, at the Ricardo Tormo circuit outside of Valencia, Spain, the 599XX made its on-track debut with F1 driver Felipe Massa behind the wheel. Tucker's next assigment for Ferrari will be at the famed Nürburgring in Germany this July.

Tucker and the Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports team return to the track in the Ferrari Challenge on May 1-2 at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California.

The Level 5 Motorsports team will look to follow up on its successful start to the season in the American LeMans Series when it participates in the Long Beach Grand Prix in Long Beach, California, next Saturday. The team is riding high after a history-making win last month in the season-opening 12 Hours of Sebring.

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Tucker Charges to Second-Place Finish at Miller Motorsports Park

Sat, 10 Apr 2010 18:50:00 -0400

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TOOELE, Utah - After struggling to find speed during practice, a gallant effort by driver Scott Tucker brought the Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports team a second-place finish in race one of the Ferrari Challenge Series Saturday at Miller Motorsports Park.

Tucker charged from fifth place to third on the second lap around the 2.240-mile road course in his No. 55 Ferrari F4340 and then quickly made a pass to assume the second position behind eventual winner Harry Cheung.

A majority of the race of the race saw Mark McKenzie glued to Tucker's bumper, but Tucker kept him in the rear view mirror and began to distance himself from the third-place driver late in the race.

Tucker made a charge toward Cheung over the closing laps; but, sensing he had a tire going down, he nursed the ailing car for the final three circuits. The tire gave out on the last lap but Tucker was able to bring his Ferrari home to a runner-up finish behind Cheung at the checkered flag. It was yet another podium finish for the most successful driver in Ferrari Challenge Series history.

"We started fifth, and we knew it was going to be a challenge for us to get up to the front," Tucker said. "But, with this Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motosports team behind us - and the cars they put underneath me - we know that anything is possible. We always thought we had a shot to win the race.

"We were starting to make our move and then we cut a tire. I really believe we would have had a shot at a victory if it weren't for that."

Tucker qualified the No. 55 Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports F430 in the fifth position with a fast lap of 1:35.361 (84.563 mph). McKenzie wound up finishing third.

"Scott did everything humanly possible to win the race," Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports Team Manager David Stone said. "His effort was flawless, and he had it in his mind late in the race that he was going to get up there and take the lead. It was unfortunate that we had the tire problem. Otherwise, it might have been a different story."

Tucker and the Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports team continue in their quest for victory during the inaugural Ferrari Challenge weekend at Miller Motorsports Park on Sunday. Qualifying for Round 2 is scheduled for 10:35 a.m. local time. The race is set for 1:50 p.m.

Also this weekend at Miller Motorsports Park, Tucker continues to test for Ferrari and their new for Prototype 599XX. He was personally invited to be a factory test pilot by Ferrari's CEO, Amedeo Felisa, in January.

Tucker first tested the car in a private session and exhibition at Homestead-Miami Speedway, the first ever to be held on American soil, in March. Future test sessions will occur at notable race tracks on nearly every continent.

"It's a tremendous honor," Tucker said. "As a long-time Ferrari driver, being asked to help develop the next generation of Maranello supercars is truly a thrill. My experience behind the wheel of many Ferrari GT race cars should be a great asset to the process." This latest round of testing among a select group of international drivers is yet another step in a complex process for the legendary manufacturer. In February, at the Ricardo Tormo circuit outside of Valencia, Spain, the 599XX made its on-track debut with F1 driver Felipe Massa behind the wheel.

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Tucker Aims For Historic Run at Miller Motorsports Park

Wed, 07 Apr 2010 18:44:00 -0400

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Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports driver Scott Tucker has a two-fold quest during this weekend's Ferrari Challenge event at Miller Motorsports Park in Utah. Not only will he look to build on the momentum he gained in the season opener at Homestead-Miami Speedway, but he will also attempt to make history.

Tucker aims to become the first driver to win a Ferrari Challenge race at the 4.5-mile, 24-turn circuit -- the longest in North America -- as the series makes its debut at Miller Motorsports Park on Saturday. The win would be another in a series of history-making events for Tucker already this season.

The most successful racer in Ferrari Challenge history, Tucker is coming off an impressive victory in his No. 55 F430 Ferrari in the season-opening race at Homestead-Miami in March. He lead every lap en route to victory after setting a track record in qualifying in the second of two races that weekend.

"We had a great weekend in Miami. We were hopeful for a win and we got it," Tucker said. "It's going to be a new experience coming here to Miller Motorsports Park, but the goal is the same 9 to come away with a couple of victories. Since this is the first time the Ferrari Challenge Series has raced at Miller Motorsports Park, we want to put our names down in the record books as the first team to take the checkered flag. I'm confident that the team will prepare our car well and we'll have a great opportunity to do just that."

Tucker's dominating performance at Homestead-Miami Speedway sent a message to his competitors that he is -- without question -- the man to beat in 2010 for the Ferrari Challenge championship.

"You can't ask for much more than the determined effort Scott gave at Miami," said Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports Team Manager David Stone. "After such a dominant performance last season, Scott and this Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports team haven't missed a beat. We're looking for more of the same in Utah. It should be another great weekend for this team."

Tucker and Level 5 Motorsports are still basking in the glow of their victory in the prestigious 12 Hours of Sebring in mid-March. Making its American LeMans Series debut, Tucker and teammates Christophe Bouchut and Mark Wilkins drove the No. 55 Oreca LMP to victory, winning their class by a 16-lap margin. The history-making win in the prestigious race was yet another step on the ambitious path the team owner / driver has set for himself.

"Of course we've set big goals for ourselves this season," Tucker said. "But this team has a history to rising to any challenge. We intend to be a factor in any race we enter."

This weekend, Tucker once again provides his services as test driver to Ferrari S.p.A. for the new Prototype Ferrari 599XX. He was personally invited to be a factory test pilot by Ferrari's CEO, Amedeo Felisa, in January.

Tucker first tested the car in a private session at Homestead-Miami Speedway, the first ever to be held on American soil, in March. He will continue to put the car through its paces and provide valuable data to team engineers this weekend.

"The car was fantastic when we first began the process in Miami," said Tucker. "We had some great sessions and I was able to test the car in simulated race conditions. I am looking forward to seeing how the development

of the car has progressed since we provided that initial feedback."

This latest round of testing among a select group of international drivers is yet another step in a complex process for the legendary manufacturer. In February, at the Ricardo Tormo circuit outside of Valencia, Spain, the 599XX made its on-track debut with F1 driver Felipe Massa behind the wheel.

Qualifying for the first F430 race at Miller Motorsports Park is set for 10:35 a.m. MT Saturday. The green flag is scheduled to wave at 1:50 p.m. MT. Qualifying for the second F430 race is set for 10:35 a.m. MT Sunday. The green flag is set for 1:50 p.m. MT.

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Ferrari Driver Skokos Wraps Up Successful Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 19:03:00 -0400

HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- The ultra-successful Boardwalk Ferrari Level 5 Motorsports Ferrari Challenge Series race team was again sending waves through the paddock this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. But this time, it was not just record-setting driver Scott Tucker garnering attention. Tucker's teammate Ted Skokos was making waves with an impressive opening round of the 2010 campaign. After qualifying sixth for Saturday's event, Skokos went on to post a second-place finish with a fastest-lap time just five-tenths of a second behind the event's overall fast lap. "I can't say enough about this Level 5 crew," said Skokos. "This is a great way to kick off the season. I am really looking forward to the rest of the season with this team." On Sunday, Skokos returned for the second event of the weekend and with a full head of steam. After qualifying fourth, Skokos was poised for another top finish. With less than ten minutes left in the race, Skokos had a twelve second lead over the fifth place car and was challenging for third place when his No. 2 F430 experienced mechanical problems. "It was a tough day for us, but we had a pretty good weekend," Skokos said. "We qualified fourth for the second race and were feeling good going into the race. We didn't get the result we wanted, but we're going to take our second-place finish in Saturday's race and build on that. We were very pleased with that performance. I can't say enough about this Level 5 crew and the great job they've done to prepare these cars." Skokos, from Dallas, has experience in the Ferrari Challenge Series, having started his driving career in the F430 in 2008. His enthusiasm for the series continues as he enters the 2010 season with a level of commitment. "There are many rewards of being a Challenge driver," Skokos said. "The satisfaction of knowing that you are chasing a dream, that you are perfecting a skill that few people have ever attained and that you are privileged to be a member of one of the most elite clubs in the world -- the Ferrari family of racecar drivers." Skokos expects to be on the track again behind the wheel of the Level 5 -prepared Ferrari F430 when the series resumes April 9-11 at Miller Motorsports Park in Salt Lake City, Utah. For more information, visit www.level5motorsports.com.

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