Chip Ellis struggles in heat at Memphis Ends qualifying No. 6
G SQUARED MOTORSPORTS
OWNERS: GEORGE BRYCE & GEORGE SMITH
NHRA POWERADE DRAG RACING SERIES
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE: G SQUARED S&S BUELL
RIDER: CHIP ELLIS
18TH ANNUAL NHRA O'REILLY MID-SOUTH NATIONALS
MEMPHIS MOTORSPORTS PARK - MEMPHIS, TENN.
AUGUST 19-21, 2005
QUALIFYING:
Session 1 Friday: 7.183 seconds at 183.97 mph (# 2)
Session 2 Friday: 10.848 seconds at 73.37 mph (# 3)
Session 1 Saturday: 10.749 seconds at 74.94 mph (# 4)
Session 2 Saturday: 13.707 seconds at 53.65 mph (# 3)
MILLINGTON, Tenn. (August 20, 2005) - Racing continued today and so did the heat, with the air and track temperature pushing triple digits. Many have stated that this 18th annual NHRA O'Reilly Mid-South Nationals is the hottest in recent memory and certainly the hottest of the 2005 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.
At the end of four qualifying attempts - two on Friday and two today - Chip Ellis placed the G Squared S&S-powered Buell in the No. 6 position for tomorrow's eliminations
A recap of Friday saw Ellis unleashed a pass of 7.183 seconds at 183.97 mph, good for No. 2 at the end of the opening qualifying session. In Friday's second and final session the Americus, Ga., rider recorded a disappointing run of 10.848 seconds due to mechanical problems from the transmission which placed him third as qualifying ended on day one.
With air temp reaching 100-degree and track temperature pushing 137-degrees, Saturday's first qualifying session looked like a repeat of Friday night with Ellis coasting across the finish line in 10.749 seconds.
Things didn't improve in the final round as the transmission problems that plagued Ellis in the preceding two qualifying sessions continued. His last pass came with an elapsed time of 13.707 seconds.
"In the past we've had some transmission shifting problems and we pretty much got those solved," said G Squared co-owner George Smith. "In an effort to make the gear box even better the G Squared team has been experimenting with some improvements. Sometimes when you attempt to make things better you must take a step or two backwards before you go forward.
"We expect to have this buttoned up in time for eliminations tomorrow and we're learning from this so we can make better and stronger parts."
For the second race in a row, Ellis will face Shawn Gann in the opening round of eliminations. Gann qualified No. 11 with a 7.210-second elapsed time. Last weekend at Brainerd, Ellis defeated Gann who red-lighted
ELIMINATIONS: It will be a later than usual start for professional eliminations tomorrow. Ellis begins his quest for the Pro Stock Motorcycle title with eliminations for all professional classes getting underway at 3 p.m. Time is local Memphis time - Central Time (CT): 1 hour behind the Eastern Time zone - and subject to change at anytime.
TELEVISION: Qualifying highlights for the 18th annual NHRA O'Reilly Mid-South Nationals can be seen on ESPN2 this evening (Sat., Aug. 20) from 8--10 p.m. ESPN2 will also air three hours of same--day television coverage of eliminations beginning at 10 p.m. tomorrow evening (Sun., Aug. 21). The elimination show repeats one week later on ESPN2 early Sunday morning, Aug. 28, from 3 until 5 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, Aug. 21 at 11:30 a.m. Television times are Eastern Time (ET) and subject to change at anytime. Check local listings.
OWNERS: GEORGE BRYCE & GEORGE SMITH
NHRA POWERADE DRAG RACING SERIES
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE: G SQUARED S&S BUELL
RIDER: CHIP ELLIS
18TH ANNUAL NHRA O'REILLY MID-SOUTH NATIONALS
MEMPHIS MOTORSPORTS PARK - MEMPHIS, TENN.
AUGUST 19-21, 2005
QUALIFYING:
Session 1 Friday: 7.183 seconds at 183.97 mph (# 2)
Session 2 Friday: 10.848 seconds at 73.37 mph (# 3)
Session 1 Saturday: 10.749 seconds at 74.94 mph (# 4)
Session 2 Saturday: 13.707 seconds at 53.65 mph (# 3)
MILLINGTON, Tenn. (August 20, 2005) - Racing continued today and so did the heat, with the air and track temperature pushing triple digits. Many have stated that this 18th annual NHRA O'Reilly Mid-South Nationals is the hottest in recent memory and certainly the hottest of the 2005 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.
At the end of four qualifying attempts - two on Friday and two today - Chip Ellis placed the G Squared S&S-powered Buell in the No. 6 position for tomorrow's eliminations
A recap of Friday saw Ellis unleashed a pass of 7.183 seconds at 183.97 mph, good for No. 2 at the end of the opening qualifying session. In Friday's second and final session the Americus, Ga., rider recorded a disappointing run of 10.848 seconds due to mechanical problems from the transmission which placed him third as qualifying ended on day one.
With air temp reaching 100-degree and track temperature pushing 137-degrees, Saturday's first qualifying session looked like a repeat of Friday night with Ellis coasting across the finish line in 10.749 seconds.
Things didn't improve in the final round as the transmission problems that plagued Ellis in the preceding two qualifying sessions continued. His last pass came with an elapsed time of 13.707 seconds.
"In the past we've had some transmission shifting problems and we pretty much got those solved," said G Squared co-owner George Smith. "In an effort to make the gear box even better the G Squared team has been experimenting with some improvements. Sometimes when you attempt to make things better you must take a step or two backwards before you go forward.
"We expect to have this buttoned up in time for eliminations tomorrow and we're learning from this so we can make better and stronger parts."
For the second race in a row, Ellis will face Shawn Gann in the opening round of eliminations. Gann qualified No. 11 with a 7.210-second elapsed time. Last weekend at Brainerd, Ellis defeated Gann who red-lighted
ELIMINATIONS: It will be a later than usual start for professional eliminations tomorrow. Ellis begins his quest for the Pro Stock Motorcycle title with eliminations for all professional classes getting underway at 3 p.m. Time is local Memphis time - Central Time (CT): 1 hour behind the Eastern Time zone - and subject to change at anytime.
TELEVISION: Qualifying highlights for the 18th annual NHRA O'Reilly Mid-South Nationals can be seen on ESPN2 this evening (Sat., Aug. 20) from 8--10 p.m. ESPN2 will also air three hours of same--day television coverage of eliminations beginning at 10 p.m. tomorrow evening (Sun., Aug. 21). The elimination show repeats one week later on ESPN2 early Sunday morning, Aug. 28, from 3 until 5 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, Aug. 21 at 11:30 a.m. Television times are Eastern Time (ET) and subject to change at anytime. Check local listings.
posted by David @ 11:23 PM
<< Home