12 Hours of Sebring for The Level 5 Dream Team

By Kyla Sweeney


In mid-March, after a modest but strong showing at the Rolex 24 at Daytona weeks earlier, the Level 5 Motorsports team made its LMP2 debut. After winning its LMP class in 2010, the drivers nabbed the LMP2 distinction. As is now somewhat of a tradition in the past year, the team was working feverishly to finish its entry car in time for the starting flag. In a matter of just days, the Lola Honda was finished and shipped to Florida for its race debut as well as the team's class debut.

Level 5 drivers Scott Tucker, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Luis Diaz split time commanding the racetrack. Tucker told individuals of the media that the 12 Hours of Sebring was a "test run" for the Lola Honda, as it had come straight off the assembly floor, but if Sebring was a test, Level 5 Motorsports scored an A . Even during the face of a few mishaps and issues, the drivers drove strong and finished strong, making up for any mistakes with skillful maneuvering around turns and careful, strategic straightaway shots. The Level 5 Motorsports team secured an LMP2 victory, reliving their LMP success from the previous year. Tucker also won the Champion Driver award at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2010.

The Lola Honda wasn't the quickest car through the straights, but she shined when the track started to bend. Tucker and Diaz made the first rounds of the Sebring International Speedway and made clear their class dominance quickly. Strong showings from the drivers on the first 2 legs of the race still left work to be done by Hunter-Reay, a Florida native. Hunter-Reay drove an amazing leg, recovering lots of time for the team and ultimately whizzing past the finish line in front of the pack.

"The team had some issues but made up for lost time," Tucker stated. "Ryan had a grew last few laps." Although the Lola Honda was barely finished before tackling a notoriously grueling 12-hour race, the car didn't show any signs of fatigue or wear at race's end. The team didn't face any mechanical issues, and nary a scratch was visible on the body at the end of the day. "We're pleased with the vehicle performance," Tucker said. "We knew we had a great car, and we're eager to see what we can do with it."

The Level 5 team, and also other entries, donned Japan stickers on their cars to honor the country after the earthquake and tsunami that had occurred in time before the Sebring race.




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