Denver: Chip Ellis Friday summary

Chip Ellis aboard G2 S&S Buell No. 4 after day one of qualifying

MORRISON, Colo. (July 15, 2005) -- Entering today's first two sessions of qualifying, George Bryce, partner and co-owner of G Squared Motorsports along with George Smith, was concerned about racing in Denver.

"I've never raced in Denver with the G Squared/S&S-powered V-Twin," said Bryce. "So this will be the first for me, Chip Ellis (driver of the G Squared/S&S Buell) and Big George (Smith).

"It's a good news, bad news scenario for our team.. On the one hand the larger cubic inch V-Twins lose less power in the higher altitude than the 4-cylinders bikes. While on the other hand, I don't have a log book to go back and refer to like I did when I ran the Suzuki. It's a little bit of an unknown."

Bryce and Smith didn't have to worry. Aboard the Buell, Ellis recorded a 7.493-second pass in the opening qualifying round, which was delayed two hours due to a thunderstorm. In the evening session, he stopped the finish line clocks in 7.814 seconds, ending the first day of qualifying in the No. 4 position.

If times look high to you, remember that the engines lose power in the altitude of the mile-high city of Denver.

-gsm-