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ELKHART LAKE, Wis. – ArmsUp Motorsports campaigned two cars at this year’s Kohler International Challenge Vintage Festival held at the
historic Road America. New ArmsUp Motorsports driver Peter Stolz drove his 1973 Porsche 911 RSR to victory in the GTO category. Walter Vollrath, who
was making his first race start since 2008, drove his 1978 Lola T497 to the win in the CSR class.
The Kohler International Challenge (KIC) is
one of the biggest vintage race meets in the country. The annual summer classic combines the on track action with the Concourse d’ Elegance.
The concourse kicks off the weekend with a parade of racecars from the Road America track through the streets to downtown Elkhart Lake. Walter
Vollrath took advantage of the opportunity to drive his beautifully restored Lola through the streets of his hometown accompanied by his wife Mary Jo
in the passenger seat. As usual the streets of Elkhart were crowded with people and a good time was had by the entire ArmsUp crew.
The action
on track was just as exciting as Pete Stolz put his Porsche 911 through its paces for the first time. The ArmsUp Motorsports team had taken delivery
of the car a week and a half before the event and the crew was learning the car as the weekend went on. After dealing with a shock problem the team
found in testing Stolz was able to put the car second on the grid after qualifying. Next on the schedule for Stolz was the four lap heat race which
sets the grid for the final race. Driving comfortably the Manitowoc, Wisconsin driver finished second in the short sprint. In the final Stolz was
able to find his way to the front of the GTO field. While running up front the Porsche developed a slight over heating problem. Short shifting to
get the car to the line, Stolz claimed his first win in his first start with the 911 RSR.
Walter Vollrath had a very solid weekend in the CSR
class with his Lola 497. After being out of the seat for almost two years Vollrath lowered his lap time each session on the track. After avoiding a
torrential downpour that postponed the start of Vollrath’s group, the Stoelting driver claimed the win in the final race after leading both
qualifying and his heat. In the final Vollrath came within striking distance of lowering his personal best in the Lola around the four-mile circuit
capping off a good weekend for the Elkhart Lake driver.
“I really like being a part of this event,” ArmsUp Motorsports owner Gregg
Borland commented at the end of the weekend. “This is such a fun event, between the Concourse, the racing and the collection of awesome
historic racecars, it makes for a good weekend. Both Pete and Walter did a great job in their races. I’m looking forward to working with
Pete’s 911 to see how good we can get it. Walter drove very well for being out of the car so long. He didn’t put a wheel wrong and was
able to improve each session. I’m really looking forward to running some more vintage events with our guys.”
Not a team to rest
during the summer, ArmsUp Motorsports is back in action this weekend for the SCCA Milwaukee Region Double Regional at Road America. Expected to
compete for ArmsUp Motorsports are; John Dickmann, Jim Victor and Rick Balsley in Formula Continental and Jose Paredes in Formula
Atlantic.
Formed in 1995, ArmsUp Motorsports is one of the premier SCCA Formula Continental and Formula Atlantic racing teams. Based in
Elkhart Lake, Wis 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.
Walter Vollrath’s Lola T497 CSR racecar on display at the Concourse d’ Elegance (Photo Courtesy ArmsUpMotorsport.com)
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