FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

G SQUARED MOTORSPORTS
PRO-STOCK BIKE:

G2/S&S/STAR RACING BUELL

MEDIA CONTACT: Mickey Schultz
PHONE: 770-476-8477
E-MAIL: mschultz@bellsouth.net

50TH ANNUAL NHRA MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS
INDIANAPOLIS RACEWAY PARK – INDIANAPOLIS
SEPTEMBER 3-6, 2004

G Squared Motorsports returns at Indy with new rider

CLERMONT, Ind.  (August 31, 2004) – Having missed the last four races following NHRA-imposed weight increase on the V-Twins, G Squared Motorsports, owned by George Bryce and George Smith, returns to action at the 50th annual NHRA Mac Tools U.S. Nationals with a new rider, Chip Ellis.

“George Smith and I, in cooperation with S&S Cycle, have invested over three years in the development of the G2/S&S/Star Racing Buell,” explained Bryce.  “We were happy with the performance of the Buell after its debut at Columbus.  I know it’s old news, but several races later we were “rewarded” for our three years of development and hard work on the Buell with a rule change by NHRA adding 40-pounds, which made us weigh 15 pounds more than the Suzuki's.  That was the proverbial, ‘Straw that broke the camel’s back.’

As a result the team missed Denver, Sonoma, Brainerd and Memphis while they regrouped.  Not being in the points chase, G2 used the time to continue to get their racing program back on track and develop their product for sale to potential NHRA and AHDRA customers.

“We decided to go back to a rebuilding stage.   We worked closely with S&S to make changes that were needed on the motorcycle and to develop more horsepower.   George Smith and I now feel that we’ve picked up the necessary performance and horsepower to carry the extra 40-pounds,” said Bryce.

“At the same time we were working on the motorcycle, we were also working on a new plan to put a permanent rider on the bike rather than the short-term program under which we had been working.  As a result, G2 Motorsports has hired Chip Ellis to ride the Buell beginning at Indy.  Chip is the type of rider that’s good on a lot of different types of motorcycles and we feel that we’re fortunate to have him as part of the future of G2 Motorsports.”

Chip Ellis, who holds AMA/Prostar championships in both Funnybike and Formula Superbike, has already joined G Squared Motorsports and will be aboard the G2/S&S/Star Racing Buell at Indy.

Ellis competed for G Squared Motorsports at the recently completed AHDRA race at Bristol Dragway in Bristol, Tenn.  Aboard the G Squared S&S #46 Tribute Street Pro Bike, Ellis, in his first AHDRA race, not only set a new national record but also won the Street Pro class.  

His run of 8.995-seconds in the semifinals and record run of 8.963-seconds in the final round were the first runs ever in the 8-second range in the AHDRA history books for the Street Pro class.  He also went to the finals in the E.T. class at this same event.

“It’s an awesome opportunity to join George Bryce, George Smith and G2 Motorsports,” said Ellis.  “I’ve always wanted to run in NHRA Pro Stock (motorcycle).

“George Bryce’s 50th birthday is on Monday and the finals of the 50th anniversary U.S. Nationals are on Monday.  I would love to give George a win on his birthday.  That’s a high goal to set, especially in my first NHRA race, but to do it would be awesome.  

“Competition will be great.  All the bikes that run NHRA are good.  I’m excited about Indy being my debut race and my first order of business will be to get qualified and after that go rounds.”

Ellis, who currently lives in Salisbury, North Carolina, plans on moving wife Kathy and daughter McKenzie to Americus, Ga., in the near future.

George Smith is excited about Ellis being on board and the newfound performance gains.  
“We (the G Squared/ Star Racing crew and the S&S guys) are excited that we're going to be able to make Indy,” said Smith.  “This is the 50th anniversary of the "big show" and we were afraid we couldn't get ready in time.  Ken Johnson and our new rider Chip Ellis have done a great job with the bike making a lot of little improvements, which will hopefully add up to better performance. 

“Chip has been remarkable riding our Street Pro and E.T. bikes in the AHDRA sanction but he hasn't gotten any seat time on the Pro-Stocker.  But he's very versatile and a quick study who's gone fast on other bikes, so I'm not worried.  
 

“The S&S guys have stepped up their engine development program and will be delivering two new engines Thursday night in time for us to install one for the Friday qualifying round.  They've found us some more power so it's time to put it to the track and see what happens. 

“I'm especially glad we're returning so we can celebrate my partner George Bryce's 50th birthday while at the 50th Indy running.  We've got a great team and great equipment and we're looking forward to winning."

 

“We’re all fired up now.  We’re rejuvenated.  We feel we’ve got more power at every strategic point.  We have more power with the motorcycle, driver and chassis setup.  The 50th U.S. Nationals is a good time and a good place for us to come out and get our program back on track,” concluded Bryce.