From the monthly archives:

December 2011

Petit Le Mans will be the Start to Scott Tucker’s 6th year in professional racing

by Shelly Newman on December 3, 2011

The 2011 American Le Mans series takes place on Oct. 1 with the 14th annual Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta. For Scott Tucker, driver and owner for Level 5 Motorsports, the race marks the start of his sixth year of professional racing. In 2006, he made his professional debut at Petit Le Mans, and from that point, his career took off.

“There are not many Americans that get to race there, first and foremost, so I feel very privileged to be among that group,” he stated. “This year, we’re the only American prototype team there. We feel very fortunate we were selected to race there.”

The Petit Le Mans race is definitely an endurance race modeled after the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which is its equivalent for the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup series. Road Atlanta owner Don Panoz founded it, and the first iteration ran on Oct. 10, 1998-and Panoz must have had a thing for tens, since the race covers at most 1,000 miles or a no less than 10 hours, whichever comes first. Class winners of Petit Le Mans automatically qualify for the following year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Tucker has increasingly focused on the American Le Mans Series as his career continues. After he founded Level 5 Motorsports in 2008, his main actions have included drafting talented veterans known for incredible precision even at maximum speeds. This year’s Petit Le Mans has unofficially been the ultimate goal in Tucker’s eyes: Mid-season, he announced the switch from the team’s Nos. 55 and 95 Microsoft Office-sponsored LMP2 cars to a brand new, right-off-the-line HPD ARX-01g chassis, the result of partnership between Honda Performance Development and Wirth Research. Tucker pushed hard to get the automobile finished as soon as possible, of course with out sacrificing quality. While making the transition between cars, Tucker even withdrew from ALMS races in Lime Rock Park and a huge one at Silverstone in Great Britain, choosing instead to focus on the all-important Petit ahead.

Now, Tucker has added a 4th elite motorist to his already well-stacked team. Marino Franchitti will join the team and its new car-which Tucker marks as best in the class-for the 2011 race at Road Atlanta. Franchitti has extensive experience with the HPD prototype family, having taken part in the first year of development of the ARX-01a with Andretti Green Racing before investing some LMP2 time with Dyson Racing. Adding Franchitti to the lineup is surely an obvious sign that Tucker is going for the win at Petit Le Mans, though that’s never not the case when Tucker enters a race track. He’s a three-time national driving champion. Level 5 Motorsports’ performance in 2010 during its debut year in the American Le Mans Series sent them to the top of the podium and bumped them into the LMP2 category.

Tucker has made giant strides since his Petit Le Mans professional debut in 2006, and this year he’s possibly the most prepared he’s ever been. A victory means another addition to Tucker’s unbelievable record during the past 5 years, and moving to the LMP1 category means Tucker has made it to the top class in the sport he seemingly was born to compete in. No matter the results wind up meaning for Level 5 Motorsports, the work they’ve already put in this year make it clear that the team is one of the most prolific, aggressive racing organizations on this planet.

To see more about Scott Tucker Scott Tucker .

{ 0 comments }

A Year in Review, Scott Tucker and his Level 5 Team: Infineon Challenge

by Susan Hall on December 3, 2011

Scott Tucker is without a doubt a great race car driver, however when you add the fact he competes not just in the ALMS and the ILMS but the Ferrari Challenge series, Tucker becomes a fantastic race car driver-unbelievable not just due to the schedule he keeps, but due to his continual success on the track. The first FC race of the 2011 year for Tucker and his Level 5 Motorsports team was the debut of the Ferrari 458 Challenge-the 5th model to be utilized since the series began in early 90s-at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif.

The 458 model was a new comer to the race, but Tucker as well as the car were old friends. He tested the vehicle exclusively in Spain the prior fall and again at the 12 Hours of Sebring weekend in the spring of 2011. The Ferrari 458 model is lighter and quicker when compared with its Italia 458 counterpart. The automobile boasts 570 horsepower; 9,000 RPM direct injection V8 engine, and its gearbox is modified to improve torque at lower revolutions. The vehicle is also built with a top-quality traction control system that was produced by Ferrari. The device is based on logic and techniques from Ferrari’s experience in the Formula One series.

Tucker entered the 2011 FC season with four wins on the Infineon course, which covers approximately 2.5 miles with 12 turns. Overall, the Level 5 team fared well in the weekend’s couple of FC races. “We came out with two cars, but because we were trying a new product with a new seat, it caused some issues with technical people here, so we pulled out one car,” said team manager David Stone. “The car we were able to run didn’t get the new gearbox update, so we’ve been tentative about that.”

But a race car is only as good as the sum of all its parts-and one of those parts is the driver. Tucker started the first race in fifth place. After some contact around the first corner, he bunkered down and worked his way up the rankings. His smart driving earned Level 5 a first-place ranking. “We extremely happy we got the win here with our 458 car,” said one engineer.

“I was trying to get up as fast as I could without making contact or being too aggressive,” said Tucker. “We had a good car, and fortunately it worked out for us in the end.”

The second of the FC pair wasn’t as seamless as its predecessor; Level 5 decided not to qualify because of a first-lap penalty the day before. “We have a double whammy where we started in the back and we had another penalty,” Stone said. “Scott will have his work cut out for him. Getting on the podium is a tall order on this track.”

In addition to the penalties and race placement, Tucker and the Level 5 team had to face the challenge of a shorter race-the clock ran approximately 10 minutes short in 2011 compared to previous years. “There will be a little less time to work toward the front, but it is what it is, and the goal will be to come out of here with as many points as we can,” Stone said.

Tucker delivered an outstanding performance inspite of the hiccups, weaving through traffic efficiently with the front of the line his unwavering goal. Even though 458 car started last, Tucker brought it over the line sixth, no small feat considering the circumstances. “It was a good race; we started last and finished sixth with no damage to the car,” Tucker said. “It’s about as good as you can do.”

Having a solid performance again in May at the first FC series race of the year, Tucker continued on his whirlwind race schedule with an ILMC stop in Belgium for the Spa.

Learn more about Scott Tucker at the Rolex 24 Scott Tucker .

{ 0 comments }

A Look at The 12 Hours of Sebring for Scott Tucker and his Level 5 Motorsports Team

by Kyla Sweeney on December 3, 2011

In March, right after a modest but great showing at the Rolex 24 at Daytona few weeks earlier, the Level 5 Motorsports team made its LMP2 debut. After winning its LMP class this year, the drivers nabbed the LMP2 distinction. As is now a bit 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 and the team’s class debut.

Level 5 drivers Scott Tucker, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Luis Diaz split time commanding the racetrack. Tucker told people 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 fastest 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 a superb leg, recovering lots of time for the team and ultimately whizzing beyond the finish line in front of the pack.

“The team had some issues but made up for lost time,” Tucker said. “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, together with other entries, donned Japan stickers on their cars to honor the nation after the earthquake and tsunami that had occurred in time prior to the Sebring race.

Reaching podium on the first ALMS appearance of the season was the start Level 5 Motorsports had hoped for entering into Sebring. With plenty races to come before the championship Petit le Mans in October, they had a lot of work in front of them, loads of miles to drive, and a lot of potential for successes to arrive.

Looking for Scott Tucker News? Scott Tucker .

{ 0 comments }

Scott Tucker and his Level 5 Dream Team have an exciting season

by Shelly Newman on December 3, 2011

Fast cars, feelings, tension and hours of motion: Aside from mood music, that’s the makings of any feature film-to be fair, one that was already made, but additionally one which might be equally as successful if filmed again with the exact same cast.

That cast is Level 5 Motorsports, the team featured in “Daytona Dream,” the 2011 Drive Motion Pictures feature film that chronicled the emotional, action-packed journey of the Scott Tucker-owned team to the Grand-Am series Rolex 24 at Daytona, an institution in American culture far beyond racing circles.

However, this time, the movie would be about the same team’s 2011 season, one that has effectively exploded the success and publicity surrounding Level 5 Motorsports. In fact, “Daytona Dream” was shown as a webcast on the team’s website, Level5Motorsports.com, on Aug. 12 to commemorate the one-year anniversary of its debut.

Following its theatrical debut in summer 2010 along with a successful run at film festivals, Discovery Communications obtained the rights to the project for domestic and international television broadcasts, an enormous leap for not just the film and the team as well as the endurance racing industry in the scope of the Discovery Channel’s viewership. The crazy thing is the stats continually posted by endurance racing teams don’t merit their very own mainstream cable channel or films all the time-emotion, drama, tension and action have been at record highs for Level 5 Motorsports this year, and mood music has nothing regarding it.

The growing season began with the film-topic Grand-Am Daytona series. Level 5 entered the Rolex 24 at Daytona with a win-only mindset; but that optimism and determination was crushed when the Microsoft Office-sponsored No. 95 entry got caught in a stackup in the notoriously narrow lanes. The team drove impressively through out the race, but it ultimately finished Eighth.

The anticipation surrounding Tucker’s seemingly impossible schedule would be a crowd pleaser; the 2006 rookie entered in not one or two but three series for the 2011 season. The next race of the year was the initial of the ALMS and the team’s first in the LMP2 class, following the LMP championship Level 5 won in 2010. With a new LMP2 car, the team found themselves at the top of the podium, a huge win at their class debut in the 12 Hours of Sebring.

As with every excellent story, the momentum built for Level 5 Motorsports as it went on to take second at the Long Beach, Calif. street circuit, and Tucker made podium at Infineon Raceway and Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway in the Ferrari Challenge series. But, problems befell the team. When Tucker caught wind of a new Honda Performance Development/Wirth Research cost-capped prototype, he reserved the 1st two models. With the car still in development for much of the summer, Tucker and his awesome team withdrew from a major ILMC competition, the Silverstone in England, because the car wasn’t ready. The risky decision cost the team an opportunity for points and a big showing at an ILMC event, and the team was sidelined through ALMS races at Lime Rock Park in Connecticut and MoSport in Ontario, Canada. Additionally for those races, the team had hardly any LMP2 competition, so they devoted to the ILMC and ALMS championships ahead, specifically on making sure that the new HPD ARX-01g was ready to drive. The suspense built; would the vehicle be well worth the wait? Would it be enough to secure an LMP2 championship?

The Lola-Honda chassis made its race debut at the team’s return to the ALMS series with the ModSpace American Le Mans Series at Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway. The team finished fourth overall and first in points for the LMP2 class, which secured drivers’ championships for Tucker and co-driver Christophe Bouchut.

Endurance racing is naturally excellent material for any feature film. But add to the typical suspense, emotion and action Scott Tucker’s improbable schedule-and improbable career, for that matter-and you’ve got a story for the ages. The “Daytona Dream” season was impressive in and of itself, but the way Level 5 Motorsports has spent 2011 so far, and the excitement sure to follow with Petit Le Mans and Intercontinental Le Mans Cup in China still to come, prove how exciting endurance racing truly can get.

Learn more about Scott Tucker racing Scott Tucker .

{ 0 comments }

Simple Diet Plans of Famous Personalities

by Angelica Samson on December 3, 2011

A lot of people are often times asking the technique used by famous Hollywood icons in achieving a slim and striking body. Some stars are very slender that people may suspect scarcity in food supply.

According to celebrities, being thin is also being beautiful. Several articles even discuss about celebrities who successfully make their body mass lesser. Their followers want to learn the way they manage to achieve better body. They reveal dieting and exercise as the technique they use in losing weight. They merely ignore the feeling of being hungry for the reason that they want to have a thinner figure.

For obese individuals, it is normal for them to lose even forty pounds because of eating less. Celebrities with normal weight are losing body mass the same as the obese ones. This can be the result of too much dieting that is actually insignificant with their bodies. The effects of this diet formula with regard to body functioning are unpleasant at times.

Hollywood actors and actresses usually unveil everything regarding their regular diet regimens. Famous celebrities and their followers possess same body organ systems. Unlike their supporters who are working hard alone, Hollywood personalities seek the support of another person.

If people are not willing to work out aside from being in a star’s diet then it is hard to become thinner. Selecting the best diet formula to become slimmer is somehow troublesome for diets quickly change. Though foods eaten by Sandra Bullock may be the finest meal for today, it can be another celebrity’s diet the next few weeks.

The only method to ascertain the effectiveness of a diet formula used by famous personalities to attain slim body is by trying. People may encounter problems in the way of attaining slim figure when they lose patience in waiting. Efforts and time invested in practicing a certain diet style will turn into nothing if folks modify it at once.

A good advice in selecting a diet style is to review the result experienced by folks who have tried it. Certain formulas best fit for several famous celebrities but it does not mean that it is ideal for everyone. Remember to go for the best formula and do not change it just because of a new trend. Altering your present diet plan and starting with a new one is not a wise decision to make. Eating pattern of famous personalities necessitates great sacrifice because they consider their body as investment.

Sandra Bullock is an American actress who gained popularity after accepting the role of some of the popular movies in 1990 like “Films of Speed” and “A Time to Kill”. To know more about her, you can visit Hollywood celebrity profile.

{ 0 comments }

Chronicles Of The Wholesale African Jewelry

by Emilia Stout on December 3, 2011

It is a part of the long gone past that the wholesale African jewelry started. From over thousands of years ago, artisans gave birth to their elaborate designs by handcrafting them. Even now, their handcrafted works are still fashionable.

The history began 75,000 years ago. Evidences, such as ancient beads, were found in Africa that shows the early tradition of bead making. The beads found were said to be an elaborate work of art.

Ancient beads were not entirely made out of gold and silver. Instead, their masterpieces were etched out of eggs. It then improved as time went on. Using various stones and glass, there were jewels made that denotes a person’s social status.

As it is, the raw materials artisans used became better through time. They used all the available resources they have to carve earrings, crowns, and other adornments. They used natural metals, precious stones, semiprecious stones, and other materials imaginable.

Natural metals may have been used ever since long ago but as time went by, the quality of improved greatly. Artisans utilized metals such as gold, bronze, and copper. They incorporated them into their grandiose designs.

Precious and semiprecious stones came into the picture later. Most of these gems that the artisans used were turquoise, sapphire, emerald, ruby, and lapis lazuli. Even if the country is very rich in diamond, it was given less favor because the stone is devoid of color.

The natural metals and gems were not the only materials the artisans used in making their works. Some of the rings, earrings, trinkets, crowns, and necklaces they made were created out of animal teeth. Some of them were made of shells and eventually became masterpieces in the wholesale African jewelry business. Wholesale African Jewelry

Stop by our site to find out more Wholesale African Jewelry

{ 0 comments }

How To Pick The Best Anniversary Rings In Orlando

by Emilia Stout on December 3, 2011

For people who are about to celebrate their anniversary, be it their 25th, 50th, or 75th, they think of giving out tokens to signify their commitment and love. As a matter of fact, this practice is common to most individuals around the globe, and in some states like Florida, who believe that being married is sacred. Among the ways that they do is to give each other anniversary rings Orlando.

A ring is a symbol of endless love. For this reason, it is chosen by many to give out to their loved ones. With that said, it is just right to choose the most stunning pieces. So before you make your shopping pursuit, you need to consider a few things.

The first thing that you should do is to prepare a budget. Remember that there are lots of designs and styles these days that look far better than the other. Knowing that you have the spare gives you a sense of certainty.

You may also want to consider the kind of jewelry store to make your purchase. Florida is a huge state and the number of establishments there come in large. Seeking for one that you believe offers the best products is a must.

By the time that you have picked the best place to make your purchase, consult the experts and ask for guidance. With their help, you can be sure that you will be able to buy the right ones.

If you do not want to go through the hassle, then you can ask your loved one about her preferences. To keep the surprise intact, do so casually. Just drop some subtle hints during your dinner conversations. This way, you will be aware of her preference without letting her know of your plans.

Simply put, giving your loved one the perfect token of love is the best thing that you can do when celebrating your years of marriage. One of the best ways to tell someone that she is special is to give anniversary rings Orlando.

Find out more about anniversary rings Orlando at our website

{ 0 comments }

Guidelines For Choosing Custom Engagement Rings In Brentwood

by Emilia Stout on December 3, 2011

The most romantic thing that a guy can do for his girl is to pop the question of marriage. But before that, he must find the most suitable custom engagement rings Brentwood for his beloved girl. In order to show that he is sincere, he should give his all in making the event something worth remembering.

He should be able to determine what the size of his girl’s ring finger. This is so that when he slides the ring on his girl’s finger, there will not be an awkward memory of a struggle just to make the diamond ring slip inside. Only a magical memory should be remembered.

The budget should also be considered. A customized diamond ring is expensive. When it boils down to that, one should pick a design that fits his budget and yet will still urge the beloved girl into saying yes. After all, the true essence of the diamond ring is in the intention it brings.

In addition, one should realize that the personal preference of the girl is as important as any other. If the guy remembers to take into consideration whether she likes silver, gold, or a mix of both in her jewelry, the girl will definitely be pleased. Add to that her favorite cut of diamond, she will fall in love with the guy all over again.

One should also check the quality of the ring. Check the ring if it is according to what was agreed on. Also, check the stone’s carat, color, clarity, and cut to see if the details mentioned before the start of the process for the customization of the ring have been met.

The jeweler is someone one should be careful of too. It will be very dangerous if one unknowingly transact business with a jeweler who has a shady character. The guy can ask the jeweler for a diamond certificate too.

A proposition of marriage is really memorable for girls. Picking out from one of the best custom engagement rings Brentwood will make the event even more special. But no matter what diamond ring one brings to his girl, as long as one is sincere in asking for her hand in marriage, she will definitely be happy to say yes.

Learn more here: custom engagement rings Brentwood

{ 0 comments }

Change Your Look With Jessica Simpson Hair Extensions

by Doji Shenka on December 3, 2011

A breakup of a relationship, like getting dumped or divorced, pushes many women to want to make a drastic change. Changing physical appearances is usually the start. Women like to start fresh and will typically make a change in hairstyle and clothing. However, there is a big difference in changing clothes and changing a hairstyle, the biggest being that clothes can easily be put on and taken off. This is not easily the case with hairstyles. Once you cut your hair that is it until it grows back – or is it?

Now you can make a temporary change thanks to Jessica Simpson hair extensions. Regardless of your reasons for wanting a change, now you can try on different styles to see what style fits best. No longer will you have to be stuck with a hairstyle. You are in complete control when it comes to these extensions. Here are a few reasons why they may be the right fit for you.

Different choices

Jessica Simpson hair extensions come in a large variety. You can choose to go with the straight extension, a wavy look extension or a layered straight extension. You can also choose if you want to go with synthetic or fine human hair, the choice is entirely up to you. Yet another choice you can make is how long of an extension you want. Hair length extensions come as short as ten inches or as long as twenty five inches. You can also get an extension that matches your hair color so no one else notices the difference.

Ease of use

Another reason you may want to use Jessica Simpson hair extensions is for the ease of use. You can choose to have your stylist put them in, or you can do them yourself. While it will be easier to have your stylist do them, you can opt to do them yourself if you have the time. If you plan on doing it yourself, you can ask a friend or family member to assist, just to give you an extra set of eyes so the end result looks as natural as possible.

Cost

The cost of the extensions will vary on whether they are human hair or synthetic. The synthetic variety is cheaper and can be found online for under a hundred US dollars. The shorter synthetic extensions will be the cheapest you will be able to find of the bunch, with costs increasing as the length also increases. The same can also be found of the human hair variety of Jessica Simpson hair extensions.

If you are looking to make a change to your hairstyle and want to test drive a few looks before making a drastic change to your hair, then Jessica Simpson hair extensions can help you to do just that. Get one or more of these extensions to see what look suits you best, or switch them out every once in a while just to give yourself a new look. Whether your new look is caused by a breakup or just wanting a change, you can’t go wrong with Jessica Simpson hair extensions.

Check out Remy Hair Extensions at IWantHairExtensions.com. We offer the best Hair Extensions on the net!

{ 0 comments }

Reasons To Get A Cardboard Cut Out At Your Celebration

by John Winter on December 3, 2011

Some reasons to have cardboard cutouts at your next party could be because they make celebrations more fun. Life size cutouts create the right mood for that special occasion. They come in all shapes and designs for any situation.They are very useful as background images and decor during special events. It is fast and easy to assemble them they can stand alone or hang up on a wall.

Usually theme parties are based on one main idea such as Halloween or Christmas. By simply decorating a room with these stand ups or a movie poster you are building up the ambiance of your get together. They can seem very real because of their realistic size which is what makes them so attractive and fun. Adults as well as children will get a kick out of sharing their favorite character and getting a picture with them.

They are perfect for every kind of occasion. You can get them for holiday parties, birthdays, Halloween, rock stars, movie stars, and many more. You can create an interesting and fun environment for all of your guests using these lifesize figures. They come in categories such as birthdays, westerns, religious and sports themes.

They also work well at office parties and can become conversation pieces as well. They can help transform the board room into a fun celebration room to reward hard workers. Transforming the work environment into an office celebration helps co workers relax and have fun, plus relieve some of the work related stresses. They can also be used for retirement parties, promotions, and corporate spirit.

You can have them made to your personal photographs to celebrate a special event in someones life. Put your family and friends right in the center of the fun by having their picture put on a cutout. It is a wonderful way to show the guest of honor and all the other guests how special that person is. Once the celebration is finishes, many enjoy hanging onto them as a keepsake memory.

You can used them again and again if you take care of them. Many kids enjoy having their favorite character in the room with them. Try hanging them over the bed to watch over your little one while he or she sleeps. It becomes part of their room and continues to bring joy long after the party’s over. When thought of like this, it is doubly used as room decor and party decorations.

The playroom, garage or basement are also fun places to display your favorite movie stars or characters. Grown ups and children are comforted by the familiar faces of their favorite stars. Many compare it to having an imaginary friend hanging around. Even a grown man will like his favorite macho guy hanging in the garage with him.

These are all good reasons to have cardboard cutouts at your next party. Lifesize cardboard cutouts are versatile in nature and can be used in many ways to suit many needs from business to pleasure. Give them a try at your next event or celebration and see for yourself.

Lifesize cardboard cutouts are a great addition to a party. See Star Stills to get yours today, as well as a variety of awesome film posters

{ 0 comments }