To spend a day driving in Scott Tucker's shoes would prove exhaustive. In his seventh race in mere five months, Level 5 Motorsports owner and driver Scott Tucker rejoined the Ferrari Challenge series in Monterey, Calif., during the weekend of May 22. The versatility, determination and sheer endurance required of a person to hold Tucker's schedule of three different series makes him impressive enough, but the fact that he had multiple podium finishes already under his belt as he hit the Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway for the FC 458 race make him impossible to forget.
The weekend's couple of races were the Ferrari 458's debut in the FC series, and it provoked intense competition on the famous 11-turn track. One of Tucker's previous podium finishes came at the FC season opener in April at Infineon Raceway. On account of his hectic schedule, Tucker hadn't spent enough time testing the 458, putting him at a slight disadvantage despite his winning record going into the race.
The 458 challenge is based on the Ferrari 458 Italia, and the car has been modified with some changes in order to get it ready for competition driving. Gear ratios and recalibration of the gearbox provide the car higher torque at lower revolutions. Mechanics have also gone to great lengths to decrease the car's weight, specifically concentrating on lessening the thickness of body shell panels and using lighter materials such as carbon fiber.
"It's a great car, and I'm looking forward to the opportunity to develop it more as the season continues," Tucker said at the time. After the starting flag on Saturday, Tucker delivered an impressive performance, battling traffic and ultimately securing a second-place position. He was out of laps before he could catch Enzo Potolicchio, who chalked up his second win of the season.
Sunday brought another day of intense competition. Tucker, who served as a Ferrari test driver in 2010 for the 599XX supercar, also won the FC Dealership Championship for Boardwalk Ferrari in 2009, along with the Sports Car Club of America National Championship in a Ferrari 430. Unfortunately, Sunday brought a fifth-place finish for Tucker. "The car I drove was the best we had," he said. "Unfortunately, some of the other guys had more time to test than we did, so they were stronger. We'll see what we can do about that."
Level 5 was also waiting on official approval of its primary car, so Tucker competed in the secondary car. Add that to the fact that Tucker's next scheduled stop would be at the 24 Hours of Le Mans-the world's most prestigious endurance race-and it's a wonder he maintained the focus and drive to score yet another podium appearance. "We definitely filled our plate," Tucker said. "But our team is also full of talent and dedication. Every time we race, we race to win, and we're not going to back down in the face of hard work."
Of the FC 458 race, Tucker said, "We have a win and a podium, so we'll continue to develop this car."
With the ILMC 24 Hours of Le Mans ever nearer, the Level 5 team headed to France with a win on their minds yet again.
The weekend's couple of races were the Ferrari 458's debut in the FC series, and it provoked intense competition on the famous 11-turn track. One of Tucker's previous podium finishes came at the FC season opener in April at Infineon Raceway. On account of his hectic schedule, Tucker hadn't spent enough time testing the 458, putting him at a slight disadvantage despite his winning record going into the race.
The 458 challenge is based on the Ferrari 458 Italia, and the car has been modified with some changes in order to get it ready for competition driving. Gear ratios and recalibration of the gearbox provide the car higher torque at lower revolutions. Mechanics have also gone to great lengths to decrease the car's weight, specifically concentrating on lessening the thickness of body shell panels and using lighter materials such as carbon fiber.
"It's a great car, and I'm looking forward to the opportunity to develop it more as the season continues," Tucker said at the time. After the starting flag on Saturday, Tucker delivered an impressive performance, battling traffic and ultimately securing a second-place position. He was out of laps before he could catch Enzo Potolicchio, who chalked up his second win of the season.
Sunday brought another day of intense competition. Tucker, who served as a Ferrari test driver in 2010 for the 599XX supercar, also won the FC Dealership Championship for Boardwalk Ferrari in 2009, along with the Sports Car Club of America National Championship in a Ferrari 430. Unfortunately, Sunday brought a fifth-place finish for Tucker. "The car I drove was the best we had," he said. "Unfortunately, some of the other guys had more time to test than we did, so they were stronger. We'll see what we can do about that."
Level 5 was also waiting on official approval of its primary car, so Tucker competed in the secondary car. Add that to the fact that Tucker's next scheduled stop would be at the 24 Hours of Le Mans-the world's most prestigious endurance race-and it's a wonder he maintained the focus and drive to score yet another podium appearance. "We definitely filled our plate," Tucker said. "But our team is also full of talent and dedication. Every time we race, we race to win, and we're not going to back down in the face of hard work."
Of the FC 458 race, Tucker said, "We have a win and a podium, so we'll continue to develop this car."
With the ILMC 24 Hours of Le Mans ever nearer, the Level 5 team headed to France with a win on their minds yet again.
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