Driver News: Wilkins returns to ALMS for Six Hour race at Laguna Seca this weekend

Mark Wilkins to compete in LMPC class at Laguna Seca
Canadian to run in Monterey Six Hour event with Level 5 Motorsports

Toronto, Ontario (2010.05.17) Mark Wilkins of Toronto is returning to competition in the American Le Mans series this coming weekend joining Christophe Bouchut and Scott Tucker in the Level 5 Motorsports No. 55 FLM09 LMPC class. This will be Mark's first race in the car since the trio won the class at the 12 Hours of Sebring back in March. This weekend's event at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca features a six hour race starting Saturday afternoon and running into the twilight.

As he did at Sebring, Mark will share the driving duties with Bouchut and Tucker with the hope of once again taking the top step of the podium.

"We had a great first outing with the car at Sebring scoring the class win", said Wilkins. "It was quite the experience, the car being so different from the Daytona Prototypes and that track is very tough on drivers. After helping the team come away with the victory I was hoping for another opportunity to drive the LMPC so it was a nice surprise when Level 5 called to ask if I would be available for the six hour race at Laguna Seca."

Wilkins continued, "Laguna is a track I know very well having raced there a number of times. The track is smooth and the No. 55 FLM09 Oreca should be very quick there. Knowing the track and having spent time in the car, I have a good comfort level going in and we should be up to speed very quickly. Scott and Christophe also have a lot of experience at Laguna so I do like our chances this weekend."

After two races the Level 5 Motorsports No. 55 is leading the championship while Bouchut and Tucker are in a four-way tie to lead the driver's championship. Mark sits third in the driver's championship just six points out of second place.

The American Le Mans Series Monterey presented by Patron is scheduled to begin at 2:30 am PT on Saturday, May 22nd. The race will be broadcast on CBS on May 29th (one week tape delay) starting at 1:30 p.m. ET .

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Mark Wilkins fast facts: Twenty-six year old Wilkins is a native of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He started racing in karts and in 2001, joined Woodbridge, Ontario-based AIM Autosport to compete in Formula Ford. He would move on to run in Fran Am, Star Mazda and Formula Renault through 2004 earning podiums in each series.  In 2004 he earned his first podium (3rd) in the Rolex 24 at Daytona (SGS Class) repeating a year later taking third in GT. Wilkins and AIM Autosport joined the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No 16 full time in 2007. In 2008, co-driving with Brian Frisselle, Wilkins scored three podiums including back-to-back victories at Montreal and Watkins Glen. Wilkins also recorded two poles that season. He has recorded one podium so far in 2010 taking second place at VIR. A graduate of Georgian College in Automotive Marketing, Wilkins works in marketing with Engineered Automotive, a business specializing in Automotive Sales (inc. importation), Automotive Service, Automotive Tuning, Vehicle Storage and Track Events.

Media Contact:
Chris Jameson
Level Ten Communications
+1 416.284.4932
chris@leveltencommunications.com