ELLIS ABOARD THE G2/S&S BUELL NAILS NO. 6 QUALIFYING SPOT AT COLUMBUS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE G SQUARED MOTORSPORTS OWNERS: GEORGE BRYCE & GEORGE SMITH NHRA POWERADE DRAG RACING SERIES PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE: G SQUARED S&S BUELL RIDER: CHIP ELLIS MEDIA CONTACT: Mickey Schultz PHONE: 770-476-8477 E-MAIL: mschultz@bellsouth.net 41ST ANNUAL NHRA PONTIAC PERFORMANCE NATIONALS presented by SUMMIT RACING NATIONAL TRAIL RACEWAY - COLUMBUS (HEBRON) OHIO MAY 19-22, 2005 QUALIFYING: Session 1 Friday: 7.199 seconds at 176.79 mph (# 8) Session 2 Friday: 7.145 seconds at 183.69 mph (# 8) Session 1 Saturday: 7.227 seconds at 177.35 mph (# 8) Session 2 Saturday: 7.120 seconds at 187.50 mph (# 6) ELLIS ABOARD THE G2/S&S BUELL NAILS NO. 6 QUALIFYING SPOT AT COLUMBUS HEBRON, Ohio (May 21, 2005) - With qualifying complete for this year's NHRA Pontiac Performance Nationals presented by Summit Racing, Chip Ellis, driver of the G Squared/S&S Cycle Buell, jumped to the No. 6 qualifying spot in the fourth and final qualifying session with a run of 7.120 seconds at 187.50 mph down the National Trail Raceway quarter-mile. "After the 22 (7.22 seconds) in the first session today, I felt we still had a tenth (of a second) left in our G Squared/S&S-powered Buell," said George Bryce, who along with partner George Smith formed G Squared Motorsports in 2003. "Our data said we could pick up a tenth. Even with a track that was hot and greasy, I told the crew that we could really, really pick up a tenth. Chip drove it well, we got the tune up right and grabbed the track and got our tenth. Now, we're ready for tomorrow." Ellis added his view of qualifying. "My whole goal this weekend was to get back to the basics," he said. "I made four good passes, cut four good lights and I feel we are really ready for tomorrow." In the opening round of eliminations, Ellis will be paired against Craig Treble. Treble qualified No. 11 with a best qualifying pass of 7.158 seconds at 184.77 mph. BUELL RESULTS: Ryan Schnitz, aboard the Muzzy-built, S&S-powered Buell, moved into the No. 2 position by virtue of a qualifying best elapsed time of 7.101 seconds. The Mohegan Sun-backed, G Squared-built, S&S-powered Buell of Chris Rivas, who was runner-up at last weekend's Atlanta event, finished No. 3. And for the second event in a row, Matt Guidera, aboard the Rocklin HD G Squared-built, S&S Cycle-powered Buell, recorded a career best E. T. when he stopped the finish line clocks at 7.279 seconds. ELIMINATIONS: With Smith, Bryce and Ken Johnson calling the tuning set up, Ellis, aboard the G Squared/S&S Buell, begins his quest for the Pro Stock Bike title on Sunday with eliminations for all classes beginning at 11 a.m. Time is EASTERN TIME (ET) and subject to change at anytime. TELEVISION: Qualifying highlights for the 41st annual NHRA Pontiac Performance Nationals presented by Summit Racing can be seen on ESPN2 this evening (Saturday, May 21) from 11 p.m. until 1 a.m. ESPN2 will also air same-day television coverage of eliminations from 8 until 11 p.m. on Sunday evening (May 22). The elimination show repeats on ESPN2 early Monday morning, May 23, from 2 until 4:30 a.m. Television times are Eastern Time (ET) and subject to change at anytime. Check local listings. G SQUARED MOTORSPORTS: When Harley Davidson accelerated their effort in NHRA, S&S Cycle decided in 2002 to join the battle. Because of his vast R&D experience, coupled with his racing background, S&S asked George Smith to head their project to field a competitive S&S V-Twin bike on the NHRA circuit. Smith immediately asked George Bryce, who had been working with S&S Cycle on a similar project, to join the new endeavor and G Squared Motorsports was formed in 2003. Both Smith and Bryce knew if they collaborated on the project, joining the resources, knowledge and talents of S&S and Star Racing, they could produce a competitive bike to race in Pro Stock Motorcycle competition on the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. The G Squared/S&S-powered V-Twin Buell debuted in 2004. -30-