Georgia Drag Racing News

Information about Georgia drag racing history, personalities, activities and events from GeorgiaDragRacing.com.

Sunday, August 14, 2005

G Squared and Chip Ellis elated with No. 3 at BIR

Courtesy Jerry Battle

G SQUARED MOTORSPORTS
OWNERS: GEORGE BRYCE & GEORGE SMITH
NHRA POWERADE DRAG RACING SERIES
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE: G SQUARED S&S BUELL
RIDER: CHIP ELLIS

24TH ANNUAL NHRA LUCAS OIL NATIONALS
BRAINERD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY - BRAINERD, MINN.
AUGUST 11-14, 2005

QUALIFYING:
Session 1 Friday: 7.119 seconds at 192.55 mph (# 2)
Session 2 Friday: 7.090 seconds at 186.15 mph (# 3)
Session 1 Saturday: 7.049 seconds at 193.35 mph (# 3)
Session 2 Saturday: 7.147 seconds at 183.34 mph (# 3)


BRAINERD, Minn. (August 13, 2005) - Qualifying came to a completion today for the 24th annual NHRA Lucas Oil Nationals at BIR, Brainerd International Raceway. Chip Ellis, aboard the G Squared S&S Buell, ended qualifying No. 3 on the final qualifying ladder.

Ellis best elapsed time of the four qualifying sessions was a 7.049 second run at over 193 miles per hour in Saturday's morning qualifying session. His speed of 193.35 mph was a career best for the Americus Ga., driver. In the final session, George Bryce and George Smith, co-owners of G Squared Motorsports, opted to try some things to see how the bike would react. The test produced a run of 7.147 seconds at 183.34 mph.

Recapping Friday's two qualifying sessions: In the opening session, Ellis rode the S&S-powered Buell to an elapsed time of 7.119--second pass at a speed of 192.55 mph. In the late afternoon qualifying session, Ellis covered the BIR quarter-mile in 7.090 seconds, ending the first day of qualifying in the No. 3 position.

"We are thankful that we got our bike back after the rig was taken from an Omaha hotel," said Smith. "I really thought we'd never see it again. Despite all that went on, we were able to pull together and move forward continuing the improvement that we've been making over the last several races.

"The power that we have shown during qualifying is the same power that we've had all season from our S&S engine. The difference here is that we're doing a good job with the tune up and Chip (Ellis) is doing a good job riding. His lights have been outstanding; the 60-foot times are converting to low elapsed times at the finish line and Chip is hitting shift points on time.

"We expect to do well and be consistent tomorrow. While we don't have as much power as the Screamin' Eagle guys, we can overcome that with good driving from Chip and be a threat.

Ellis will face Shawn Gann in tomorrow's opening round. Gann qualified No. 14 with an elapsed time of 7.161 seconds.

ELIMINATION: Ellis begins his quest for the Pro Stock Motorcycle title on Sunday with eliminations for all classes getting underway at 11 a.m. Time is local Brainerd time - Central Time (CT): 1 hour behind the Eastern Time zone - and subject to change at anytime.