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SEBRING, Florida. - ArmsUp Motorsports was able to escape the cold and snow of the Wisconsin winter and travel south to what was supposed to be sunshine and warmth of Central Florida. Unfortunately the weather had other ideas in mind as it greeted ArmsUp drivers' Pat Mc Ginnis and Jim Victor with cold temperature as well as rain for the SCCA Southeast Region Double National. Both drivers came away with solid finishes with Mc Ginnis bringing home a fourth place in Sunday's race two while Victor claimed two top-10 finishes to start the new year.

The 3.7 mile Sebring International raceway was new to Mc Ginnis and practically new to Victor who hadn't competed at the historic circuit in 15 years. Qualifying one was in the dry for the Formula Continental field with the rain coming down for the second session. Based on their session one dry time Mc Ginnis lined up fifth on the grid with Victor ninth.

Race one would start with an extremely wet racetrack placing grip at a premium. Mc Ginnis who had begun to find his way in the wet got a little too anxious on the races second restart. While looking to make a pass at the green flag the St. Louis driver got wheel-spin on the painted Sebring start finish line spinning the car and ending his race in the front stretch wall. Mc Ginnis had some consolation as he set the races third quickest lap. Victor, who started the race in eighth, took a conservative approach bringing the car home in one piece and in the sixth position.

Race two proved to be more successful for the ArmsUp team. Mc Ginnis's car was repaired in time to go out and set the sixth fastest lap in qualifying. Victor would line up ninth on the grid as he continued to re-acquaint himself with the famous track. In the race Mc Ginnis was able to battle his way forward picking up two spots on his way to a fourth place finish. Not to be outdone by his teammate, Victor also moved up two positions claiming a seventh place finish to round out the weekend with two top-10 finishes.

"I was pretty happy with the weekend," ArmsUp team owner Gregg Borland said afterword. "Both drivers did a very good job. Pat continues to improve each time he is in the car and I think he can be a big surprise to some people by the time we get to the summer races. Jim drove very well and got better each session at a track he hasn't seen in a very long time. This was definitely a good way for our guys to break the rust off and we're looking forward to Road Atlanta in March."

ArmsUp Motorsports will take the rest of the winter off and return to their snowy Sheboygan Fall's base to prepare for the rest of the 2010 season. The team will then make their first trip to Road Atlanta for the Atlanta National on March 20.

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.

Pat McGinnis claimed a fourth place finish in his first trip to Sebring International.
(Photo Courtesy Jacques-O-Lot Photography)

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