G Squared Motorsports: Smith takes over top spot with track record run
G SQUARED MOTORSPORTS OWNERS: GEORGE BRYCE & GEORGE SMITH NHRA POWERADE DRAG RACING SERIES PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE: G SQUARED S&S BUELL RIDERS: CHIP ELLIS and MATT SMITH MEDIA CONTACT: Mickey Schultz PHONE: 425-557-8899 E-MAIL: mschultz@bellsouth.net 41ST ANNUAL NHRA AUTOMOBILE CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA POMONA RACEWAY - POMONA, CALIF. NOVEMBER 3-6, 2005 Smith takes over top spot with track record run Ellis now No. 5 POMONA, Calif. (November 4, 2005) - Matt Smith, from King N.C., on his G Squared-prepared and owned, S&S-powered Pro Stock Buell, moved to the top spot running a track record pass and the third quickest elapsed time in Pro Stock Motorcycle history during the second day of qualifying for the 41st annual NHRA Automobile Club of Southern California Finals. Smith, aboard the G2 Red line Oil/Skull Gear/Torco Race Fuels Buell, recorded a run of 7.000 seconds at 189.71 mph on the Pomona Raceway track and eclipsed the track record of 7.024 seconds set by teammate Chip Ellis at last year's Finals. "We're striving to get to that 6-second zone," said Smith, following the run. "We won't run a national record but we can definitely get into the 6's, maybe a 6.98 or 6.99. That's what we'll go after tomorrow. The first session tomorrow should be the quicker of the two sessions. "We put our S&S engine that we ran at Indy in for today and used the same tune-up from Indy. That S&S power has us flying. We're going to try and win this last race and end the year on a good note. "I would like to thank George Smith and George Bryce for giving me the opportunity to sit on and ride this awesome bike. Thanks also go out to Red Line Oil and Evan Knoll at Torco Racing Fuels and Skull Gear. I couldn't be doing this if it wasn't for them." Ellis, aboard his G Squared S&S Buell, bettered his time from yesterday, running a 7.079-second pass at 188.94 mph. At the end of Friday's qualifying the Americus, Ga., driver sat fifth on the Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying ladder. Looking to the two remaining qualifying sessions tomorrow, George Smith, co-owner of G Squared Motorsports along with George Bryce, said, "These S&S powered bikes are flying. We need to check the tapes (computer) and then change our tune-up accordingly, but I think both Matt's and Chip's bikes have a little more left for tomorrow." QUALIFYING: Two qualifying sessions for the 41st annual NHRA Automobile Club of Southern California Finals remain. Both Ellis and Smith will take to the track tomorrow, Saturday, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Ellis and Smith begin their quest for the Top Fuel title on Sunday with eliminations for all classes getting underway at 11 a.m. Times are local Pomona time - Pacific Time (PT) - 3 hours behind Eastern Time (ET) -- and subject to change at anytime. TELEVISION: Two hours of qualifying highlights for the 41st annual Automobile Club of Southern California Finals can be seen on ESPN2 late Saturday evening (Nov. 5) beginning at 10 p.m. ESPN2 will also air three hours of same-day television coverage of eliminations beginning at 7 p.m. on Sunday evening (Nov. 6). The elimination show repeats on ESPN2 early Monday morning, Nov. 21, from 2:30 until 4:30 a.m. Also, tune in to NHRA2Day on ESPN2, the weekly show that gives you the latest information about the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. NHRA2Day can be seen on Sunday morning, Nov. 6 at 11:30 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.