Level 5 Motorsports Leads ALMS Testing At Circuit of The Americas

Level 5 HPD ARX-03b

Level 5 Motorsports topped the time charts in test sessions on both Tuesday and Thursday afternoon ahead of this Saturday’s inaugural American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patron race at Circuit of The Americas.

The team’s No. 551 Siemens/Alpina Watches/Ohiya Casino Resort HPD ARX-03b posted the best lap of testing on Thursday afternoon at 1:55.423 (106.045 mph). Ryan Briscoe and team owner Scott Tucker will share the driving duties in Saturday’s two-hour and 45-minute race.

The No. 16 Mazda/Thetford/Norcold Lola B12/60-Mazda led the P1 category and was second overall with a best time of 1:57.144 (104.487 mph) on Thursday afternoon. Tony Burgess and Chris McMurry are sharing the No. 16 machine.

Leading the way in the Prototype Challenge presented by Continental Tire class was the No. 05 Composite Research ORECA FLM09 from CORE autosport at 1:59.077 (102.791 mph). The No. 05 machine will be co-driven this weekend by team owner Jon Bennett and Tom Kimber-Smith – who is moving over to the PC car after driving the team’s GT entry since the car’s debut at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in May.

Houston’s Risi Competizione posted the quickest GT lap in testing for its home-state event. The No. 62 Ferrari F458 Italia shared by Olivier Beretta and Matteo Malucelli turned in a best time of 2:04.506 (98.309 mph).

TRG topped the GT Challenge time charts with a best lap of 2:13.275 (91.840 mph) by the No. 66 Port Lavaca Group/Viper Exchange/Adobe Road Winery Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. The car is shared by Ben Keating, of Port Lavaca, Texas, and Irish racer Damien Faulkner.