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Spencer Pigot Scores a Runner Up Finish for ArmsUp Motorsports at the Cat National

Posted on August 1, 2011

USF2000 race winner Spencer Pigot had a strong debut with ArmsUp Motorsports at the SCCA Cat National. Driving an F2000 car for the first time in the Formula Continental spec Pigot set the fast lap in the first qualifying session. After a car problem in the second qualifier Pigot drove to a second place finish from fifth on the grid setting the fastest race lap in the process. Jim Victor scored his best SCCA National finish of the season with a fourth place result.

The SCCA Cat National ran a two qualifying format with the quickest time from either session setting the grid. Pigot led the opening damp session, but session two was in the dry, placing a premium on that session. A rare shift linkage failure on the opening lap for Pigot kept the Florida driver from setting a time. Jim Victor jumped in and picked up the slack for ArmsUp setting the third fastest time of the session. Pigots session one time was good enough for fifth on the grid. Rick Balsley put in a solid drive for sixth with John Dickmann 14th.

When the green flag fell for the Formula Continental race Pigot got a strong jump and was able to overtake his ArmsUp teammate Victor into turn one. Pigot's opening lap charge continued as he moved to second with a strong move into the hard braking turn five. Going into Canada Corner Pigot drew alongside the leader but was forced to back off for a local yellow in the corner. Victor settled into the fifth spot on the opening circuit and began a race long battle for the fourth position. On the race's pace lap Rick Balsley's car developed an engine problem that forced him to pit before the green flag. The ArmsUp crew was able to repair the issue sending Balsley back out to work his way back through the field.

Pigot would fall back to the third position before the race's half way point as a three car battle for the lead ensued. The 2010 Skip Barber National Champion then mounted a charge and took back the second position and set his sights on the leader. Pigot was able to shave down the two second gap to within a half second, setting the races fastest lap in the process. The USF2000 Championship contender was unable to get close enough pass as lapped traffic hindered his challenge in the race's closing laps forcing Pigot to settle for second.

Jim Victor was able to win his battle for the fourth position scoring his first national top five finish of the season. John Dickmann drove a steady race and was able to move into the top ten with a ninth place result. Rick Balsley fought on after losing time in the pits to bring his car home to the 11th position.

"I had a lot of fun working with the ArmsUp guys this weekend," Pigot said after the weekend. "It was great to learn from all their experience at Road America and it will help me a lot at the USF2000 race there in a few weeks. Unfortunately I was held up by some lapped traffic towards the end of the race and didn't have enough time to pass for the win. We had the fastest car of the race so I really have to thank all the crew for their hard work."

ArmsUp Motorsports will return to Road America for the Chicago Region SCCA Regional event. The team will continue its preparations for the SCCA National Championship Runoffs that are coming up in September.

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.

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