Commerce: Fred Collins Saturday summary

Collis has the Star Racing/G Squared Motorsports Suzuki in 10th

COMMERCE, GA. (May 15, 2004) -- Qualifying for the 24th annual Summit Racing Equipment Southern Nationals presented by Pontiac, the third of 15 Pro Stock Bike races on the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, is now in the NHRA history books.

Fred Collis, aboard the Star Racing/G Squared Motorsports Suzuki finished in the No. 10 positions on the Pro Stock motorcycle ladder for eliminations tomorrow. G Squared Motorsports is a collaboration of efforts between George Bryce of Star Racing, headquartered in Americus, Ga., and George Smith, part owner of S&S Cycle, Incorporated, based in Viola, Wis.

Collis, who qualified 10th with a pass of 7.217 seconds at 184.80 mph down the Atlanta Dragway quarter-mile, will face Craig Treble, who qualified No. 7 with a run of 7.193 seconds at 189.71 mph, in eliminations tomorrow.

Bryce reflected on qualifying saying, "We started out similar to how we did at the last race in Houston which I thought was good. We were fifth after the first session but wound up tenth. We missed the tune up a little bit on each run.

"On the good session last night, the track was better than we thought it was going to be and we knocked the clutch out. The final run today was not as bad as it seems as we were breaking in a new tire and it was our worst 60-foot of the season. Yet we still ran a 7.23 (second) elapsed time. That run was for the big picture. It should pick up three or four hundredths tomorrow and that will put us in the teens. That will make us competitive."

Collis' goal sheet for this race called for him doing things the same way each run and focusing on consistency.

"So far this weekend we are really close to being above average on consistency," said Collis after his four qualifying runs. "We're just a hair from being above average and will work tomorrow to insure that we achieve our goal. Being above average tomorrow can win a few rounds for this Star Racing/ G Squared Motorsports team.

Final eliminations for all classes will kickoff at 11 a.m. tomorrow. Same-day television coverage of eliminations can be seen on ESPN2 tomorrow evening from 7-10 p.m. All times is Eastern Time (ET).

-sr/sdm-