G Squared Motorsports: Ellis to semifinals; Smith out early
G SQUARED MOTORSPORTS OWNERS: GEORGE BRYCE & GEORGE SMITH NHRA POWERADE DRAG RACING SERIES PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE: G SQUARED S&S BUELL RIDER: CHIP ELLIS 21ST ANNUAL NHRA TOYO TIRES NATIONALS MAPLE GROVE RACEWAY - READING, PENN. SEPTEMBER 15-18, 2005 Chip Ellis: Qualified: # 2 (7.101 seconds at 188.41) Eliminations: Round 1: Ellis (7.071/187.50) def. Michael Phillips (7.202/190.83) Round 2: Ellis (7.103/181.98) def. Chris Rivas (7.307/178.42) Round 3 (semifinals): Ellis (7.144/186.82) lost to. Ryan Schnitz (7.307/178.42) Matt Smith: Qualified: # 3 (7.121 seconds at 186.54 mph) Eliminations: Round 1: Smith (7.143/185.28) lost to Karen Stoffer (7.178/189.44) Ellis to semifinals; Smith out early S&S power shows throughout weekend MOHNTON, Penn. (September 18, 2005) - Reaction time proved to be the difference for teammates Chip Ellis and Matt Smith during eliminations at today's NHRA Toyo Tires Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway. Ellis, aboard his G Squared S&S Buell, advanced to the semifinals before dropping a close race to Ryan Schnitz. Smith, on his G2 Red line Oil/Torco Racing Fuels/Skull Gear Buell, exited in the opening round. Smith, who ran an elapsed time of 7.143 seconds, lost on a holeshot to Karen Stoffer, who stopped the finish line clocks in 7.188 seconds. The difference was reaction time. In the opening round, Ellis showed the power of his S&S engine running the low elapsed time of the weekend - a 7.071 - defeating Michael Phillips. Ellis then proceeded to run the quickest elapsed time of the quarterfinals when he ran a 7.103 to turn back Chris Rivas, also aboard a Buell. The semifinals matched Ellis against Ryan Schnitz in another battle of Buells. Schnitz was out first at the green and carried his advantage to the finish line. Schnitz's 7.178 elapsed time bested Ellis, who ran a 7.144-second pass. "It's disappointing," said George Bryce, who along with George Smith are partners at G Squared Motorsports. "The guys at S&S Cycle have been working really hard. Todd and the boys in the dyno room in the engine shop have been finding to make new power and it showed this weekend. It was great to step up our performance and run near the front. "It's unfortunate that both drivers lost on holeshots. It really frustrates the drivers and is disappointing to all those that put in so much effort to make this team a success. But please believe me that both Chip and Matt are trying to cut good clean lights. It not lack of effort on their parts. "Now, we just need to go back and analyze what going on and see if we can help them do a better job." NEXT RACE: The next race for Pro Stock Motorcycle is the fifth annual NHRA AC Delco Las Vegas Nationals at the Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Oct. 20-23. TELEVISION: ESPN2 will air three hours of same-day television coverage of eliminations beginning at 4 p.m. this afternoon (Sunday, Sept. 18). The elimination show repeats on ESPN2 early Friday morning, Sept. 23, from 3 until 5 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. G Squared Motorsports would like to thank all their marketing partners who support their racing operation: S&S Cycle, Mac Tools, Red Line Oil and Torco Racing Fuels/Skull Gear.