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ELKHART LAKE, Wis. – ArmsUp Motorsports had a solid weekend at Road America this past weekend. The Elkhart Lake based squad competed in three
different categories with Jose Paredes running in Formula Atlantic (FA), John Dickmann and Jeff Pietz in Formula Continental (FC) and Rick Balsley
running the F2000 Championship Series. Paredes would claim two FA wins in the SCCA Double Regional with Dickmann adding a podium finish in
Saturday’s FC race. Balsley, whose pace has been improving steadily, made his second career F2000 Championship Series start and claimed an 11th
and 15th in the stout pro field.
In Formula Atlantic, Jose Paredes would have his best weekend of the season. After fighting mechanical
troubles during his first two starts of the year Paredes would have a trouble free weekend. The consistency in the car paid off as he would sweep
both poles and both race wins on the weekend.
John Dickmann produced his best finish of the year running to a third place result in race one of
the Formula Continental class. After qualifying sixth for race one the Grafton, Wisconsin driver was able to fight his way forward to the third spot.
In race two Dickmann would start fifth and finish fourth in another solid drive. Pietz would have a consistent weekend qualifying and finishing
seventh in race one. Race two Pietz lined up sixth but was forced off early and had to fight from behind making his way back to eighth.
The
F2000 Championship Series was also competing at Road America this weekend and Rick Balsley took up the challenge of the pro series. This was
Balsley’s second start in the series with his previous run coming in 2008 on the same circuit. For race one Balsley lined up 17th in the 23-car
field. Racing his way forward Balsley would finish the event a very strong 11th. Day two would not go as well with the Florida resident tripping the
qualifying lights in the 16th spot. In the race he would fight hard and advance one spot coming home in the 15th spot.
“This was a
solid weekend for all our guys,” team owner Gregg Borland said after the event. “It was fantastic to see Rick racing as hard as he did it
the F2000 race. His form has improved immensely over the last two weekends and I hope we can keep improving going into the runoffs. It was great to
see Jose have a complete weekend this year, the two wins just capped off a strong event. John and Jeff did a fine job in the FC class. Dickmann
drove two strong races; it was great to see him get a podium this season. Jeff drove well, he just needs more time in the car to really find his
comfort zone.”
ArmsUp Motorsports has a short break until they return to racing action August 28 – 29 at Blackhawk Farms for the
SCCA Chicago Region’s Double National.
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.
Jeff Pietz claimed two top-ten’s at Road America. (Photo Courtesy ArmsUpMotorsport.com)
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