Level 5 Exploring Customer Options

Photo: John Dagys

Level 5 Motorsports will be among the teams at this weekend’s TUDOR United SportsCar Championship pre-season testing at Sebring, but unlike the rest of the paddock, their P2 and PC machinery will not likely turn a wheel on track.

That’s because the David Stone-led squad, which recently locked up its fourth consecutive American Le Mans Series title, will be putting the organization on display, to answer questions and give specifics on all of the resources it can bring to the table for customers for 2014.

With changes in North American sports car racing, beginning with the launch of the TUDOR Championship, it has presented Level 5 with an opportunity to expand its racing footprint. Stone will be putting the team’s paddock setup on display at Sebring, and possibly Daytona, to show they’re open for business and are actively pursuing options for 2014 and beyond.

“We’re thinking and hoping there will be a reasonable turnout for the test days and that there’d even be some Europeans over there that are looking for options to race in America,” Stone told Sportscar365. “We’ve got the credentials and the resume to show that we could do a good job for someone if they want us to do it.”

There’s no shortage of machinery under the Level 5 tent, as the team currently has two HPD ARX-03b P2 cars, three brand-new Oreca FLM09s, two new Ferrari 458 GT3s, which will be delivered in December, plus a pair of Lola P2 cars that could all be run in the TUDOR Championship, or other series worldwide.

Stone said they’re open for other options too, as well as the possibility of rebranding the team to a customer’s desire. “We designed and built a top level presentation but that shouldn’t shy anybody away from making an inquiry because I think what people would get is a lot of bang for their buck,” he added.

As for Scott Tucker’s 2014 plans, no firm decision has been made, but it’s unlikely he’ll mount a full-season attack in the TUDOR Championship. Instead, he is seriously looking at the LMP1 Privateer category in the FIA World Endurance Championship or could potentially scale back his driving duties while waiting for the dust to settle in the unified series.

“Scott is the most passionate a racer as I’ve ever known,” Stone said. “That being said, Scott’s ultimate goal and Level 5’s ultimate goal, was from the outset to build a world-class, purpose-built racing team and program capable of supporting championship caliber racers as customers.

“We all agree that now is the time for that evolution. We’ve got the experience, expertise and championship credentials. Plus, we’ve already invested in brand-new cars and equipment and in arguably the best paddock presentation in America. I will admit that Level 5 is also looking at the possibility of LMP1 in the WEC.”

Stone said they are currently in discussions with drivers for the proposed LMP1 program, who could potentially help bring some funding to the program, if given the green light.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John