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ArmsUp Motorsports driver Jerry Szykulski scored his first SCCA National victory of the season at the Carl Mueller National. Szykulski had a perfect
event in the Formula Continental (FC) class, scoring the pole, setting the fastest race lap, and taking a dominate win on the 1.9-mile Blackhawk Farms
circuit. Following his teammate home with a fifth place finish was ArmsUp veteran Jim Victor. In the Formula Atlantic (FA) category, Dan Bruggeman
made his debut with ArmsUp Motorsports behind the wheel of a Ralt RT-41. Bruggeman had a solid weekend earning a third place result as the checkered
flag fell.
The format for the Carl Mueller National featured two qualifying sessions which set the grid for the race. After Q1 Szykulski felt
comfortable enough with his time to forgo Q2 completely. The move paid off as the Edina, Minnesota resident claimed the pole by over one second. Jim
Victor's weekend got off to a tough start as he struck a curb during Q1 which knocked the timing off on his Zetec powered RFR car. The timing issue
relegated Victor to a fifth place starting spot. Minneapolis's Bruggeman picked up steadily in each qualifying session with his Q2 time putting him
third on the FA grid.
The Formula Continental race was all Szykulski. The Rotary Systems backed driver ran and hid from the field as he
recorded a flag to flag victory. Victor was able to limp his ailing car to a fifth place result after his ArmsUp crew determined the timing issue was
not resolvable at the track. A difficult result for the Iowan however the silver lining for Victor was logging enough laps to count his first points
finish toward qualifying for the SCCA Runoffs. Bruggeman continued to make progress in the race lowering his quick lap of the weekend by almost one
second en route to his third place result.
"This was a great way to start off our club season," ArmsUp owner Gregg Borland commented. "We
knew Jerry was going to be quick, but that was just an impressive drive. It's unfortunate what happened to Jim. He had a shot at a good result this
weekend but he managed the timing issue as well as he could. Dan was able to accomplish exactly what we needed to this weekend. Each session out he
got a little quicker which is what the goal was for the event. We are looking forward to working with him throughout the rest of the
season."
ArmsUp Motorsports now turns its attention to Indianapolis Indiana. Luigi Biangardi will return to the cockpit of his USF2000
National Championship car as the series holds its only oval event of the 2012 season. The "Night Before the 500" held at Lucas Oil Raceway will be
Biangardi's oval debut. The Chicago driver currently sits tenth in the championship standings but will look to climb up the charts with a strong
finish in Indianapolis.
Formed in 1995, ArmsUp Motorsports is one of the premier SCCA Formula Continental race teams, winning the SCCA National
Championship in 2011. Based in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin ArmsUp Motorsports is a full service prep shop for USF2000, Formula Continental, Formula
Atlantic, and Vintage racing cars. For more information please visit the official ArmsUp website at www.ArmsUpMotorsports.com.
Jerry Szykulski drove to a dominate win at Blackhawk Farms
(Photo Courtesy ArmsUp Motorsports)
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