RACE: ArmsUp Motorsports St. Louis summary

"Jim Victor Takes a Win and Pole at Scorching Hot Gateway International Raceway"

ST. LOUIS -- ArmsUp Motorsports driver Jim Victor had two very different days in the scorching heat of the Gateway International Raceway in St. Louis. Victor swept Saturday's SCCA Regional scoring a pole and a race win in dominating fashion. Sunday's National event would prove to be a disappointment after leading the first lap of the race Victor's Van Diemen was damaged when a pylon was kicked onto the track by a Formula Atlantic car. Victor would be forced to end his day in pitlane which ended his bid for the SCCA Central Division Championship.

The ArmsUp Motorsports team arrived at the Gateway International Raceway Friday morning to temperatures approaching the triple digits. Victor, the Davenport, Iowa driver, was able to lay down some impressive laps in the scorching heat establishing himself as the car to beat in Formula Continental.

Saturday was an SCCA Regional event and Victor showed that his speed from Friday was no fluke. Taking the pole in qualifying, Victor cruised to the Victory in his Smith Barney backed Van Diemen.

Sunday's National race was a bit more difficult. The ArmsUp Motorsports team decided to save race tires and sent Victor out on the regional tires for qualifying. With track temperatures topping 140 degrees, the used tires were a bit too greasy putting the FC veteran second on the grid. With Fresh tires Victor jumped out to a large lead on the opening lap of the race. Coming off of the Gateway oval into the road course, a Formula Atlantic car hit one of the break cones that mark the track into the path of Victor. The left-front suspension was damaged but the ArmsUp Motorsports crew used and got the car ready to get back on the track. Unfortunately the pitlane steward would not allow the car onto the track even though the car was repaired. The decision was overturned by the chief steward but not with enough laps left for Victor to be able to count the finish. The DNF left Victor six points shy of the Central Division Formula Continental Championship.

"What a disappointment. We were the fastest car here all weekend, and to be knocked out by a freak deal was a disappointment," team owner Gregg Borland stated after the race. "We had the car fixed and ready to go back on the track but the pitlane steward would not let us rejoin. We should have won our division this year. Jim drove great even in the sweltering heat and we hope to continue our form into the runoffs this year."

ArmsUp Motorsports will be back at home for the SCCA Double Regional at Road America August 25-26. The team will have a full compliment of drivers with J. M. Paredes, Walter Vollrath, John Dickmann and Jim Victor taking to the track.

-credit: www.ArmsUpMotorsports.com.