2006 Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle Is Set!

Indianapolis - (August 30, 2006) The O'Reilly Mid-South NHRA Nationals was the final race for the riders in the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle ranks to combat their way into the top eight that will compete for the $25,000 Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle specialty race payday at the 52nd annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis this weekend. Chip Ellis edged out reigning POWERade Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Andrew Hines by only 10 points to claim the front running position. Since Indianapolis last year, Ellis has nabbed five No. 1 qualifying positions, each worth $1,000.

Ellis will take on the No. 8 qualifier and 2002 Pro Bike Battle champion Craig Treble in his first round match-up. The winner of the Ellis-Treble round will move onto race the winner of the Antron Brown (No. 4)-Angelle Sampey (No. 5) battle, while the winners from the Andrew Hines-Tom Bradford (No. 7) and Matt Smith (No. 3)-Ryan Schnitz (No. 6) in semifinals.

The Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle rider introductions kick off on Saturday, September 2 at 1:45 p.m., with the first round of action starting at 2:15 p.m. Semifinals for the event are scheduled for 6 p.m. and the final for the 16th annual Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle are set to commence at 7:25 p.m., just prior to the final Nitro Funny Car session for Saturday.

1.  Chip Ellis, Buell,  2,350 
2.  Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson,  2,340 
3.  Matt Smith, Buell,  2,180 
4.  Antron Brown, Suzuki,  2,155 
5.  Angelle Sampey, Suzuki,  2,075 
6.  Ryan Schnitz, Buell,  1,880 
7.  Tom Bradford, Buell,  1,830 
8.  Craig Treble, Suzuki,  1,820 

Riders accumulate points during their 15-race NHRA POWERade Drag Racing regular season. The top eight with the most points move onto vie for the 2006 Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle champion bragging rights, held at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis.

The Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle winner will take home a cash prize of $25,000 and a commemorative trophy, while the runner-up collects $10,000. The two semi-finalists will each receive $6,000 each and the four first round finalists, $3,500 each, for a total payout of $61,000.

About Ringers Gloves

Ringers Gloves, Official Gloves of NHRA and title sponsor for the Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle, is a full-line manufacturer of high-end, task specific gloves, SFI 3.3/1, 3.3/10, 3.3/20 racing gloves, UnderX protective undergarments and rdigs pit boots.