Overland Park, Kan. (January 23, 2009) With just one day to go, the men of the Supercar Life Level 5 Motorsports team are looking to keep the momentum going into this weekend's Rolex 24 At Daytona, to be held at Daytona International Speedway January 24-25.
The team, comprised of champion drivers Scott Tucker, Christophe Bouchut, Raphael Matos and Ed Zabinski are ready to battle it out for the 24 Hour endurance race, and after a successful run in January's Test Days, this team is ready to take it to the track. In Thursday's practice session the No. 55 Supercar Life Level 5 Motorsports BMW Riley Daytona Prototype was among the fastest five teams in its class. Later in the day during qualifying, the team started off strong, but the No. 55 was hit by another DP competitor, ending its session early. However, prior to the accident, the team turned in a lap time of 1:41.561, which placed the No. 55 DP in eighth position on the starting grid in Saturday's race.
Q1: What kind of program do you look to have for the 2009 season?
From last season to this season, our organization has matured greatly in the sense of team and car. We've really stepped up in the ranks coming to the series with a new Daytona Prototype car. To be able to run a successful season, we need full support and progress from everyone involved. With the help from our sponsors, engineers and crew, we've been able to put a tremendous amount of time and effort towards this car enabling us to be competitive from the start. -Scott Tucker
Q2: How does Daytona International Speedway differ from other tracks in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series?
As a driver in the international circuit, Daytona is very different. The 'banking' is actually a straight, without being a true straight. Concentration is vital if you are to avoid going wide. As for the infield section, it is slow, narrow and very slippery. All of the corners on this track are very technical and challenging. This circuit is very particular; it is made up of only seven corners, which is extremely low compared to Le Mans or the Nurburgring. The driving pleasure at Daytona is immense, due to the difficulty presented by each and every corner. -Christophe Bouchut
Q3: After winning GT honors in the 2008 Rolex 24 At Daytona, as co-driver with teammates Sylvain Tremblay, Nick Ham and David Haskell in the No. 70 Mazda RX-8, what are your hopes for this team and car in the 2009 Rolex 24?
After winning the race last year, this is extremely good timing for keeping my record intact within the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series. I'm very excited for the opportunity in driving with the Supercar Life Level 5 Motorsports team for the Rolex 24. They are a well-rounded organization with skilled drivers aboard. I can't thank David Stone and Scott Tucker enough for giving me a seat in the No. 55 Supercar Life Level 5 Motorsports BMW Riley Daytona Prototype car. Overall, I look forward to helping the rest of the team and fighting for victory lane. -Raphael Matos
Q4: This season the team has entered into the Daytona Prototype class, last season you drove a GT, what major significance will there be on the track for running in an endurance race?
The biggest difference is the traffic. In a Daytona Prototype car you are doing much more passing then getting passed. This reduces risk and driver stress. It's a big swing, suddenly you are the one choosing where the pass should take place rather than being at the mercy of a hungry DP pilot when you are in a GT car. On a personal level, I love the Daytona Prototype-it has less compromises than a GT car, so for me, it is an absolute joy to drive. The Riley BMW combination was really well done, my hats off to Bill Riley and Steve Dinan for building such an awesome product.-Ed Zabinski
The 2009 Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 will open its season with the 47th Rolex 24 At Daytona Jan. 24-25 at 3:30 p.m. EST. For full coverage of the race, tune into FOX at 3 p.m. EST and SPEED at 4:30 p.m. EST.
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