Scott Tucker, a year in review: The Road before the 24

Tucker and his Level 5 Motorsports teammates recently began the final quarter of a racing year that has included numerous podium appearances, multiple car changes, incredible accomplishments and yet still room for improvement. Scott Tucker, owner and driver for Level 5, has been a leader for the team despite the rookie status he maintained just months ago. His tight, balanced driving has earned him top honors in the American Le Mans Series as Rookie of the Year and Champion Driver in 2010. His races often end with stints on the podium, and his career has only just begun.

As Scott Tucker, his co-drivers Christophe Bouchut and Luis Diaz and team manager David Stone prepare to close the calendar year with the all-important Petit Le Mans and the Ferrari International Finals, the stakes are high-the team has woven itself a reputation of excellence that is best understood by looking back at what has made 2011 a stunning year for Level 5 Motorsports.

In January, the Level 5 Motorsports team began its 2011 race schedule with the GRAND-AM The Roar before the 24 test sessions, in Daytona, Florida. Its two Microsoft Office-sponsored entries proved themselves powerful vehicles for their drivers' talents. During the final test session the No. 055 Microsoft Office BMW Riley and the No. 95 Microsoft Office BMW Riley finished 2-3. Tucker, Bouchut, Diaz and Mark Wilkins drove the No. 55 and sped through a 127.533 mph lap, just a half-second behind Starworks Motorsports Ford Riley, No. 8. Tucker also drove the No. 95, along with Ryan Hunter-Reay, Raphael Matos and Richard Westbrook. The drivers completed a lap of 127.465 mph, a time less than one-tenth of a second off of the No. 55 BMW Riley.

The Level 5 Motorsports team proved its versatility as the season opened up with rule changes and a freshly paved racetrack at Daytona International Speedway. The three-day test session for the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series was an indicator of things to come for the team. During the practiced sessions, the team gradually built momentum by making small changes with every run, eventually building up to the point that the drivers were barely off the top speed by weekend's end.

In the fourth test session, the No. 95 rose to 5th on the speed chart with a lap of 125.898 mph. Its counterpart, the No. 55, earned its way to a 2nd place position by the sixth session with a lap of 126.9189 mph.

Not only did Tucker drive both cars for the Roar before the 24, he was also a participant in the Sports Car Club of America's Double National event at Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, Florida. He finished second both days of the race. "I want as much time on the track as possible," he said at the time. "Getting in tune with the car is paramount to setting up for a successful season."

The Roar before the 24 is much like preseason games in other sports; it gives drivers a chance to shake off any problems from the previous year and preview the type of year that is to come. Many big motorsports names are on hand at the Roar before the 24, and many of the stars who test at the Roar are enrolled in the Rolex 24 at Daytona during subsequent weekends.

The results of the Roar before the 24 set Motorsports in a perfect position for season's start: beating the competition, but with some room for improvement. By exhibiting talent, control and skill on the raceway, Tucker and his teammates immediately established Level 5 Motorsports as a frontrunner for the coming races. Next up: the Rolex 24.

Level 5's Scott Tucker Scott Tucker

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Stop Automotive Repair Fraud and Save Money

Too many automotive centers are taking advantage of the consumer's lack of knowledge about their automobile or truck. While there are many trustworthy shops that do honorable and reliable work, there are always places that just take the consumer's money while not making the necessary repairs, if they do any work at all.

The government and press are trying to intervene, and while some shops are getting caught and being indicted with fraud, too many shops are still doing it, and getting away with it. You have probable seen the headlines about automotive repair shops being charged with fraud because they lied or cheated their customers in a certain way.

Here are some tips on how to be better educated about your automobile so that when you go into a shop for repairs, you will know what to say and more important, what you should look for when the vehicle is in the shop.

The most important thing is to go to a reputable place of business. Ask your friends where they have their vehicles repaired. Ask them why they like the shop, what their fees are, and how long they have been using that particular place. Just doing a little homework and research will save you a lot of headaches and money.

When you take your vehicle to the shop of your choice, be very specific in what you want done. For example, if you need tires, let them know you are in there just for tire work. If the service advisor tells you that you need other work done, do not be afraid to ask why it is needed. If he is trying to sell you a tune-up, and all you asked for was tires that should raise a red flag. There is no reason for the mechanic to look under the hood when the vehicle is in there only for tires.

The service advisor may tell you that you need brakes or that you have leaks, both of which can be relatively easily spotted when the vehicle is in the air and the wheels are off the vehicle. Ask the advisor for measurements of components that are worn, such as the brakes, and ask if you can take a look for yourself. If they will not give a measurement or they will not allow you to view the problem, do not have them repair it. As a matter of fact, do not let them do any work and take your vehicle somewhere else. Most reputable shops have no problems with these requests.

If you need major repairs, such as engine replacement or transmission replacement or an overhaul, always get a second opinion from another reputable shop. If you have built up a good relationship with your existing shop, this may not be necessary. But if this is the first time you have brought your vehicle to a new shop, you really need to get that second opinion, even if it takes just a phone call. Sometimes it is not practical to have your vehicle towed from one shop to another, and then back again to the original shop.

By being an informed consumer, you can save yourself hundreds or thousands of dollars on car repair costs over the years. It's not cheap to maintain your automobile these days, so make sure to do your homework when it comes to finding a good shop so that you do not become a victim of automotive repair fraud.

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