Jim Victor and Rick Balsley earn Podium Finishes in National Class
ELKHART LAKE, Wis. – ArmsUp Motorsports made its first appearance in the USF2000 Championship Series this past weekend at Road America with Revere Greist in the Championship division and Jim Victor and Rick Balsley running in the National class for SCCA spec cars. Greist spent most of his weekend near the top of the time charts however bad luck in the races kept the results from showing the veteran's true speed. Both Victor and Balsley fared well in their USF2000 debut with Victor scoring a second and a third place finish while Balsley added a third and fifth to the tally.
The weekend started with two official practice sessions on the Thursday. Running with the higher powered engine map of the USF2000 Championship class for the first time Greist was immediately up to speed. The Waypoint Health Innovations driver set the second fastest lap of the session. Greist was able to back up his initial pace by placing a solid fourth at the end of the day's second session. Balsley and Victor swapped the second and third positions in the national class during the two sessions with Victor running second in session one and Balsley going P2 in session two.
Friday mornings qualifying session saw Greist lay down the sixth fastest lap of the session. In the extremely competitive field the ArmsUp driver missed out on the top-five by under two tenths of a second. Victor set the third fastest lap of the weekend followed by Balsley who was fourth in the National class running order.
Starting from the sixth spot in race one, Greist was able to maintain his running position on the races' opening circuit. Headed through turn six early in the race Greist was contacted in his left rear sending the Madison Wisconsin driver around. Recovering from the spin Greist was able to charge his way back to the ninth position as the checkered flag waived. Faring better than their Championship class teammate both Victor and Balsley had solid drives landing them second and third respectively in the National order.
Race two proved to be a very interesting affair with weather wreaking havoc on the 30 minute race. Starting the race in dry conditions Greist got away from his sixth spot solidly. By the races five lap mark the skies slowly began to open up, first misting the south side of the track. The leaders entered turn one under race pace as the rain increased and several drivers were caught out by the change including Greist. Shortly after his off the race went full course caution for the rain. Getting towed out of the gravel trap effectively ended Greist's challenge for a podium spot. During the caution period the field was brought into the pits and allowed to change to rain tires. Handling the situation in fine form was Jim Victor. The Iowa native kept his car pointing in the right direction and was able to bring home his RFR F2000 third in the National class, his second podium of the weekend. Balsley was classified fifth in the National class after the wild dry / wet race.
"This weekend a good for us because we once again showed that our cars have the speed to compete at the front of the USF2000 field," ArmsUp owner Gregg Borland said after the weekend. "It's a shame the bad luck that Revere had in both races, but that happens in racing. Both Jim and Rick had great weekends, for them it was a great warm-up for the Runoffs next month. I want the thank the USF2000 Series staff for the warm welcome we received all weekend. We are currently working at joining the series full time in 2012, it would be a great place for our team to race."
ArmsUp Motorsports now turns its focus the SCCA Runoffs with several test days scheduled in the run up to the Fall amateur racing classic. After narrowly missing the Formula Continental win last year, Greist and the team have their sole focus on coming home with a victory.
Formed in 1995, ArmsUp Motorsports is one of the premier SCCA Formula Continental and Formula Atlantic racing teams. Based in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin ArmsUp Motorsports is a full service prep shop for Formula Continentals, Formula Atlantics, and Vintage racing cars. For more information please visit the official ArmsUp website at www.ArmsUpMotorsports.com.