Two brand new Lola LMP2 sports prototypes will be racing in the American Le Mans Series next season.
Level 5 Motorsports owner / driver Scott Tucker announced over the weekend that his team will field two Honda-powered Lola entries in the series' LMP2 division for the 2011 season. The move comes after a record-setting season for Level 5 as the team won five events en route to the overall LMPC title and Tucker being named Rookie of the Year.
"We took our time to evaluate who the best partners would be," Tucker said. "Both Lola and Honda are very strong professional motorsports organisations that have proven winning traditions and goals that align very well with ours for the 2011 season." "We had an ambitious plan for 2010 and I was very pleased with how things turned out," he said. "But we're not going to slow down now. We've got just as much ambition for 2011." Lola owner and Executive Chairman Martin Birrane, commented. "We are delighted to welcome Level 5 Motorsports to our expanding portfolio of LMP customers for 2011. After an excellent first year in ALMS this year, they have proved they are a very professionally run team and I am sure they will be in the hunt for more honours next season."
Returning as Tucker's Level 5 Motorsports teammate in 2011 is Frenchman Christophe Bouchut. Last season, Bouchut teamed with Tucker in the ALMS LMP Challenge class and finished fourth in the standings. Bouchut is one of the most successful endurance drivers in the world. He has won the Rolex 24 At Daytona (1995), the 24 Hours of Le Mans (1993) and the 24 Hours of Spa (2001 and 2002.
Bouchut is also the only triple FIA GT champion in history. "I'm excited once again to be driving for Level 5 Motorsports and Scott Tucker," Bouchut said. "We enjoyed a great deal of success in our first season in the American Le Mans Series last year. We've really come together as a team and I expect more good things in 2011." A new addition to the Level 5 Motorsports lineup this season is Luis Diaz of Mexico.
A veteran of the American Le Mans Series since 2007, Diaz won the LMP2 championship in 2009 with a whopping eight victories. In 2010, Diaz scored four podium finishes in the GTC class and three pole positions and three podium finishes in the LMPC class. Diaz is also a former team champion in the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16, having won five Daytona Prototype races and scoring eight podium finishes in 2006.
"It's an honor to join Scott Tucker and his Level 5 Motorsports organization," Diaz said. "They have proven they are a championship team. With my experience in ALMS, I hope I can help Scott and the team win a championship in another class this season."
