Following a season-opening win in the 12 Hours of Sebring last month, Level 5 Motorsports entered this weekend's Tequila Patron American Le Mans Series race at Long Beach with high expectations. After it was announced that its two Honda-Powered Lola LMP2 entries would be allowed to use a larger restrictor plate — and thus have more power — the team prepared to tackle the challenging circuit on the streets of Long Beach. However, the changes allowed did not provide the power boost they were anticipating.
"The power was just not what we were looking for," said Scott Tucker, driver for both of the cars. "So we'll have to alter our strategy. We decided not to qualify the cars today and focus on the race tomorrow. It's disappointing, but we've got to keep our focus on the goals for the season."
Team brought both the No. 055 Lola Spyder and the and the No. 33 Lola Coupe to race this weekend with Tucker, a three-time National Champion, co-pilot both with Luis Diaz in the former, and long-time teammate Christophe Bouchut, in the latter. However, the team chose not to qualify either — saving their equipment for the race.
After qualifying ended, the team elected to withdraw its No. 055 entry in order to concentrate efforts on its No. 33 Lola Coupe, during the two-hour race — the shortest event of the ALMS season.
"The car will likely complete two stints of 20 laps — the minimum for each driver to score points — before being parked," said Level 5 Motorsports Team Manager David Stone.
“Ever since we won at Sebring a few weeks ago, I know everybody on this Level 5 Motorsports team has been anxious to get back on the track,” said Tucker, who won the 2010 LMPC class championship in the American Le Mans Series. “Everybody has been working hard since then to get these cars running at their best.
"But, we want to be smart with our equipment, too. We have a lot to balance between these two cars within a set rules package. LMP2 is the pinnacle of sports car racing for a private team. So, to come here and still be down on power is not what we wanted. We'll stay focused on improving the cars and working toward the championships.”
The team is eyeing two championships this season: the ALMS LMP2 class title and a World Championship in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup. With the next round of the ILMC coming up next month — the famed 24 Hours of Spa in Belgium — the team will use this weekend's event at Long Beach as a test session of sorts for that race.
"You've got to remember that we have only had these cars for a month," Tucker said. "We plan to make the most of this weekend and keep working on them to be sure we're ready to contend on the international stage."
Level 5 posted a strong result here a year ago with a podium finish in its debut at Long Beach. Though new to Level 5 this year, Diaz is a former winner at Long Beach in 2006 in the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series. He finished second here in ALMS competition in 2009.
“It is important to stay focused and stick to your strategy at Long Beach,” said Diaz. “I am looking forward to the race with this new race car. I really enjoy racing here.”
The temporary road course, located along the Long Beach waterfront, is 1.968 miles in length with 11 turns. The last section includes a tricky hairpin turn.
“It’s a pretty narrow course here in Long Beach,” said Level 5 Motorsports Team Manager David Stone. “It takes a good bit of patience. Fortunately, we have an experienced and professional driver line-up and they know how to get around this place.”
The green flag will wave over the two-hour race on Saturday beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET. The race can be seen live on ESPN3.
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