G Squared Motorsports: Chip Ellis starts season successfully at home track, Gainesville Raceway

G SQUARED MOTORSPORTS
OWNERS: GEORGE BRYCE & GEORGE SMITH
NHRA POWERADE DRAG RACING SERIES
PRO-STOCK MOTORCYCLE: G SQUARED S&S BUELL
RIDER: CHIP ELLIS


36TH ANNUAL NHRA MAC TOOLS GATORNATIONALS
GAINESVILLE RACEWAY - GAINESVILLE, FLA.
MARCH 17-20, 2005

Qualifying:
Session 1 Friday: 7.082 seconds at 183.86 mph (# 4)
Session 2 Friday: 7.056 seconds at 185.52 mph (# 7)


Chip Ellis starts season successfully at home track, Gainesville Raceway

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 18, 2005) - Chip Ellis, Pro Stock Motorcycle 
rider on the G Squared Motorsports S&S Buell, qualified No. 7 after two 
of four qualifying sessions for the 36th annual NHRA Mac Tools 
Gatornationals, the first of 15 events on the Pro Stock Motorcycle 2005 
NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series schedule.  

The G Squared S&S-powered Buell, tuned by George Smith, George Bryce and 
Ken Johnson, ran the quarter-mile in 7.082 seconds at 183.86 mph, the 
first run of four qualifying sessions to break into the low seven second 
range.  Lightning quick reaction times and quick 60-foot, 1/8th mile 
times indicates Ellis was performing in the zone and the results proved 
good.

"Chip did everything right," said George Smith, co-owner of the G 
Squared Motorsports S&S Buell.  "I want more out of the tune-up and 
we're working hard to use the insight we gained in the first round to 
improve our second round, but the cold weather is going to challenge us."

"We had the bike tuned for a cold-track," said co-owner George Bryce, as 
he and Smith began preparations for the second round of qualifying.  "We 
were on target to get the bike down the track and were not disappointed."

Ellis improved his elapsed time slightly in the cold, damp air of the 
second session with 7.056 seconds at 185.52 mph.   He ended Friday's two 
qualifying sessions in the No. 7th position with two qualifying sessions 
remaining tomorrow.  

"The bike ran great, but I didn't do my part and we'll try again 
tomorrow.  Everything will be better tomorrow.  I'll get some rest and 
take it easy and then try again," reflected Ellis after the second round 
of qualifying.

Bryce added, "I expected us to run better, but some first round issues 
put us behind the curve and we were playing catch up.  We're lucky to be 
No. 7.  Chip's taking credit for mistakes but we made some tuning 
errors, also.  The motor was more powerful than before but the track had 
less traction than before.  There weren't any notes to go by in this 
situation.  We learned a lot though, and we'll do better tomorrow!"

Qualifying for Ellis and the G Squared S&S Buell concludes with two 
additional sessions on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.  Ellis 
begins his quest for the Pro Stock Motorcycle title on Sunday with 
eliminations for all classes beginning at 11 a.m.  All times are local 
Gainesville time (ET) and subject to change at anytime.  

Qualifying highlights for the NHRA Mac Tools Gatornationals can be seen 
on ESPN2 on early Sunday morning (Mar. 20)) from 12:30 a.m.-2:30 a.m.  
ESPN2 will also air same-day television coverage of eliminations from 5 
until 7 p.m. on Sunday afternoon (Mar.20).  Television times are Eastern 
Time (ET) and subject to change at anytime.  Check local listings.