Championship Drag Racing

Pontiac Excitement NHRA Nationals
Columbus, Ohio
(June 10-13)

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Fred Collis G2/Star Racing Pro Stock Bike

Reports: Sunday Saturday Friday Pre-race

Columbus, Sunday: A shifter malfunction ended eliminations for Fred Collis and the G Squared/S&S Cycle Buell, powered by an S&S Cycle V-Twin.

During today's eliminations at the NHRA Pontiac Excitement Nationals presented by Summit Racing, in the debut race for the G Squared/S&S Cycle Buell, Collis lost to Keith Dennis. After going through the first two gears, Collis tried to air shift into third but had no success.

"It was a surprise to me," said Collis. "I pushed the air button to shift but nothing happened. I pushed several times with no success. I tried high but nothing I tried worked."

Star Racing owner George Bryce, who along with George Smith, part owner of S&S Cycle, Incorporated, is a partner in G Squared Motorsports added, "We know we has a shifter problem but don't know exactly what happened. We'll go home to analyze the problem and get ready for Englishtown."

"This is what they mean when they say the high and low of racing. We were high during qualifying, but definitely low today after the opening round of eliminations. We couldn't hit third gear and we were done," said George Smith.

"We'll take the data we have from this weekend and from testing to Englishtown and do better. Preparation before Englishtown and St. Louis will be the key and help us to be more consistent. Time didn't allow for us to be as prepared as we would have liked for this event."

In a philosophical moment, Bryce said, "You can't buy your way to the winner's circle. You can't will your way to the winner's circle. You can only experience your way to the winner's circle and we're in the middle of experiencing."

Smith quickly added, "We've accelerated the learning experience and know the way to success is not without roadblocks. Today was one of those roadblocks."

Columbus, Saturday: The debut of the G Squared/S&S Cycle Buell, powered by an S&S Cycle V-Twin, was a success.

Fred Collis from Americus, Ga., drove to a No. 2 qualifying position at the NHRA Pontiac Excitement Nationals presented by Summit Racing Equipment at National Trail Raceway..

In the final qualifying session, Collis, aboard the G Squared/S&S Cycle Buell, which is in its first competition at an NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series event, recorded a 7.127-second elapsed time at a speed of 181.30 mph. In tomorrow's eliminations he will face Keith Dennis, from Memphis, Tenn., who qualified 15th with a pass of 7.282 seconds at 184.40 mph.

"This new G Squared/S&S Cycle Buell has been a cool thing to ride since the beginning of testing," said Collis, the defending event champion in Pro Stock Bike. We knew after we tested recently in Atlanta that it was time to move to actual NHRA competition. For a new bike our times were average up to that last run. So when a 12 (7.12 seconds) came up the board everyone was excited. The G Squared/S&S Cycle Buell is rockin'. We're going to go out there tomorrow and do the best we can."

Added George Bryce, who along with George Smith, part owner of S&S Cycle, Incorporated, are partners in G Squared Motorsports, "The fastest run on that bike up to that last run was a 25 (7.25 seconds) so we were hoping to sink into the teens. For the last couple of weeks our data has shown that this G Squared/S&S Cycle Buell has potential, but Fred had to make a really good lap in order for us to see how quick it would go. For sure on that last lap he did everything right. We've got to keep working and see where we go from here.

"One thing I hope this weekend has done is open the eyes of the decision makers of corporate America. We are continuing to try and find a marketing partner that will team up with us and give Star Racing and S&S Cycle the opportunity to pursue an NHRA POWERade Pro Stock Bike championship."

Grinning about today's results, George Smith said the following," We're pleased that the debut went as well as it did. The power for this bike is a V-Twin from S&S Cycle. The guys that work on these engines at S&S and the entire team at Star Racing are all-stars. Remember our slogan at S&S Cycle is: We race what we sell and we sell what we race. And in this case, we're taking orders on this G Squared/S&S Cycle Buell."

Columbus, Friday: The debut pass of the G Squared/S&S Cycle Buell, powered by an S&S Cycle V-Twin, was an eye-opener for fans at the NHRA Pontiac Excitement Nationals presented by Summit Racing.

Fred Collis, who up until this race had been aboard the Star Racing/G Squared Motorsports Suzuki, went straight down the National Trail Raceway quarter-mile in 7.253 seconds at 181.11 mph.

"I was surprised," said George Bryce, who along with George Smith, part owner of S&S Cycle, Incorporated, is partners in G Squared Motorsports. "I wasn't surprised that we ran a 7.25 because of our recent test session at Atlanta. What I was surprised at was how we ran against the remainder of the field, with the exception of Andrew Hines. We were right there with them. I not only think, but I know, that we can improve on that number."

In the second qualifying session, Collis experienced some mechanical problems in the valve train and shut down and coasted to a 9-second plus run. As the first day of qualifying session ended, Collis placed No. 8.

Bryce added the following after Friday's final qualifying session, "We're examing the engine and will find the cause of the problem. If necessary and the current engine can't be repaired, we'll replace it."

George Smith was excited with the initial performance today saying, "It took a lot of research and hard work to get this program to where it is today and the unselfish devotion of many people. People like my son Brett, who is president of S&S Cycle, Incorporated. He's on a sales trip to Europe, but is so involved with what's happening that he took the time to call right after our first run and find out the results.

"Other people that we couldn't have done without includes Brian Perkins, an S&S fuel injection and R&D specialist, and Ken Johnson, a jack-of-all-trades from the Star Racing program. As this program goes forward, George Bryce and I will always be grateful to these individuals."

Columbus, pre-race: George Bryce's G Squared/S&S Buell, powered by an S&S V-Twin and piloted by Fred Collis, will debut this weekend at the 40th annual Pontiac Excitement NHRA Nationals presented by Summit Racing Equipment.

"We tested the G Squared/S&S Buell after the last bike race in Chicago and felt that the numbers run in that test session, which were comparable to the Suzuki, dictated that we move the V-Twin-powered bike to actual competition," said Bryce, who along with George Smith, part owner of S&S Cycle, Incorporated, are partners in G Squared Motorsports.

In 2003, Smith approached Bryce about going NHRA Pro Stock Bike racing with an S&S-powered V-Twin and the pair formed G Squared Motorsports to develop motorcycle engines and bikes.

"We knew that if we combined the talent and knowledge of Star Racing and S&S Cycle we could develop a competitive bike," said Bryce. "Our debut at Columbus is another step in the development phase and another step toward regaining the NHRA championship."

The Star Racing/G Squared Motorsports Suzuki will also be in action with Matt Smith, son of veteran Pro Stock car driver "Tricky Rickie" Smith, aboard one of the most coveted rides on the NHRA Pro Stock Bike circuit for Columbus.

"It's the first time we will have a two-bike team in quite a while," Bryce said. "Matt Smith is a good racer. He's the same weight as Fred and although he hasn't shown his potential yet in NHRA racing, he has won in a number of other forms of motorcycle racing and, with the right equipment, can do the same here.

"Matt's goal has always been to have a chance to show what he can do and one of his sponsors Red Line Oil is coming along with him to give him that chance. We welcome Red Line Oil and Matt on board for Columbus. Hopefully, it will be the start of a great career for the young driver.

"Everybody on this team is excited about Columbus. Fred won here last year but this is a whole new ball game. We've always done well on this track and hope our track record here will enable us to put on a good show for the fans."

Collis feels the debut race will go as planned. "Our testing has given us some good numbers that popped up on the board and George Bryce and George Smith feels there's no sense in wasting anymore time," he said. "The new G Squared/S&S Buell had comparable numbers to the Suzuki. We've got the power, so it's just a matter of getting the tuning just right to get the elapsed times we're looking for. We should be okay.

"The V-Twin market, both in the stands and throughout the reach of drag racing, is way bigger than most people realize. We are definitely excited that we can bring something new for the fans and hopefully we can give them a good show."

Even though he is the son of a well-known Pro Stock car driver, Matt Smith opted for racing the two-wheeled variety. "It was the best way to go financially," said Smith. Now Smith has a new opportunity.

"I'm very excited about the opportunity to ride the Star Racing Suzuki," the 31-year-old Smith said. "I think it could be a good deal for both of us. George Bryce has produced championship riders since the late 80s and if all goes well, I hope to add my name to that list in the future.

"At Columbus, I just plan to do my job and learn from the top teacher in the business. I know I'm in good hands with George. I want to thank both Star Racing and Red Line Oil for giving me this opportunity."