NHRA NEWS: ELLIS TOP SEED IN LUCRATIVE RINGERS GLOVES PRO BIKE BATTLE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: NHRA Communications, (626) 914-4761 TOP SEED ELLIS LEADS PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE COMPETITORS IN 16TH ANNUAL RINGERS GLOVES PRO BIKE BATTLE CLERMONT, Ind. - Chip Ellis will headline a special eight-motorcycle field from the No. 1 qualifying position as he is seeking his first victory in his second start in the Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle at O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis on Sept. 2. The special bonus event for NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle competitors will be held during the 52nd annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, the world's most prestigious drag race. The total race day purse for the 16th annual Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle is $61,000. The winner will earn a $25,000 bonus from Ringers Gloves. Any rider who can win the Battle and the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals will earn a $10,000 'Double-Up' bonus from the NHRA. The Battle runner-up will earn $10,000. The two semifinalists will earn $6,000 each, while the four first-round finishers will earn $3,500 apiece. Ellis claimed the No. 1 spot for the special event by earning five No. 1 qualifying efforts and qualifying fifth or better at 13 of the 15 NHRA events that make up the Battle series. In addition to the $61,000 available in the Battle, $15,000 in bonuses were awarded to quick qualifiers throughout the 15-race Battle series. Ellis posted a runner-up finish in 2005 to GT Tonglet, who did not qualify for the bonus event this season. Ellis will face veteran rider Craig Treble in the opening round. Treble won the bonus event in 2002. Other first round pairings include 2004 winner Andrew Hines against rookie Tom Bradford; Matt Smith vs. Ryan Schnitz; and teammates Antron Brown and Angelle Sampey meeting in a battle between U.S. Army Suzukis. Brown won the bonus event in 2000, and Sampey is still looking for her first victory in the event. Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle rounds are scheduled for 2:15, 6 and 7:25 p.m. on Sept. 2. 2006 RINGERS GLOVES PRO BIKE BATTLE FINAL STANDINGS 1. Chip Ellis, Salisbury, N.C., Drag Specialties S&S Buell 2,350 2. Andrew Hines, Indianapolis, Screamin' Eagle Harley-Davidson 2,340 3. Matt Smith, King, N.C., Torco Race Fuels S&S Buell 2,180 4. Antron Brown, Indianapolis, U.S. Army Suzuki 2,155 5. Angelle Sampey, New Orleans, U.S. Army Suzuki 2,075 6. Ryan Schnitz, Decatur, Ind., Trim-Tex Buell 1,880 7. Tom Bradford, Eagle, Wis., Hal's Speed Shop Buell 1,830 8. Craig Treble, Hensley, Ark., Team Tigue Suzuki 1,820 2006 RINGERS GLOVES PRO BIKE BATTLE ROUND PAIRINGS FIRST ROUND Ellis vs. Treble Hines vs. Bradford Smith vs. Schnitz Brown vs. Sampey SEMIFINALS Ellis-Treble winner vs. Brown-Sampey winner Hines-Bradford winner vs. Smith-Schnitz winner FINAL (7:25 p.m., Sept. 2) -30-