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VALDOSTA, Ga. - The NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle entry list for the 9th annual CSR Eastern Spring Test Nationals presented by Torco's CompetitionPlus.com confirms one thing - South Georgia Motorsports Park [SGMP] will be buzzing with the leading teams getting in one last test session before the season begins. As many as 14 top teams, including the NHRA POWERade Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Matt Smith, will take advantage of nearly identical conditions to those expected the following weekend during the NHRA ACDelco Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida.
Smith expects to put his NitroFish-sponsored Buell through its paces Thursday through Saturday during this annual event which brings a national event atmosphere to the Valdosta, Georgia community.
"We're going to bring in the same tune-up we finished out last season," said Smith, who won the 2007 NHRA championship on the final run of the season. "We have a lot of things we'll be trying out during ESTN."
One thing Smith finds particularly exciting is getting to perform in front of fans when the level of pressure is not as high.
"Even when we are loaded down with work I try to make time for the fans," Smith said. "The fans really get me pumped up. There are a lot of people that really don't take the time to talk to the fans. I like to hang out with them the best that I can."
Smith's interaction extends to a personal MySpace.com page, a social networking website.
"I even try to respond to virtually everyone I can," Smith said. "That's why I get excited when the ESTN event rolls around because of that kind of opportunity to test and get to hear the fans cheering us on."
Team owner and veteran crew chief George Bryce, whose team is based in nearby Americus, Georgia, said the event provides the same atmosphere as a pre-season exhibition game for stick and ball sports. The conditions his team will face are nearly identical to those he'll encounter the following weekend.
"This is like the football scrimmages where you actually get to put your pads on and run plays and make tackles," said Bryce, who is a multi-time world championship tuner. "This event gets the competitive juices to flowing for us. All the other classes have had two other events, but we are getting ready for our first one. We couldn't ask for a better dress rehearsal than ESTN provides.
"All throughout the off-season, we've made lap after lap in the same lane with no one alongside of us. On this weekend, there's a living, breathing drag racer alongside of this. We're racing more than just the clock this time."
Bryce will be testing a new rider aboard the G2 Motorsports Buell during ESTN. He'll also find time to work with the Klement Racing team who recently signed former world champion Angelle Sampey.
Other notable drivers entered include newly signed Don Schumacher racing rider Chip Ellis, Factory Harley-Davidson riders Andrew Hines and Eddie Krawiec as well as front-runner Karen Stoffer.
The popular Fast News Network will chronicle the weekend's runs and post on DRAG RACE CENTRAL.
To see the complete pre-entry list and news about the event - visit Torco's CompetitionPlus.com - ESTN Event Page
The official SGMP website is SOUTH GEORGIA MOTORSPORTS PARK.
World Champion and leading NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycles find a home at SGMP en route to Gainesville
VALDOSTA, Ga. - The NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle entry list for the 9th annual CSR Eastern Spring Test Nationals presented by Torco's CompetitionPlus.com confirms one thing - South Georgia Motorsports Park [SGMP] will be buzzing with the leading teams getting in one last test session before the season begins. As many as 14 top teams, including the NHRA POWERade Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Matt Smith, will take advantage of nearly identical conditions to those expected the following weekend during the NHRA ACDelco Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida.
Smith expects to put his NitroFish-sponsored Buell through its paces Thursday through Saturday during this annual event which brings a national event atmosphere to the Valdosta, Georgia community.
"We're going to bring in the same tune-up we finished out last season," said Smith, who won the 2007 NHRA championship on the final run of the season. "We have a lot of things we'll be trying out during ESTN."
One thing Smith finds particularly exciting is getting to perform in front of fans when the level of pressure is not as high.
"Even when we are loaded down with work I try to make time for the fans," Smith said. "The fans really get me pumped up. There are a lot of people that really don't take the time to talk to the fans. I like to hang out with them the best that I can."
Smith's interaction extends to a personal MySpace.com page, a social networking website.
"I even try to respond to virtually everyone I can," Smith said. "That's why I get excited when the ESTN event rolls around because of that kind of opportunity to test and get to hear the fans cheering us on."
Team owner and veteran crew chief George Bryce, whose team is based in nearby Americus, Georgia, said the event provides the same atmosphere as a pre-season exhibition game for stick and ball sports. The conditions his team will face are nearly identical to those he'll encounter the following weekend.
"This is like the football scrimmages where you actually get to put your pads on and run plays and make tackles," said Bryce, who is a multi-time world championship tuner. "This event gets the competitive juices to flowing for us. All the other classes have had two other events, but we are getting ready for our first one. We couldn't ask for a better dress rehearsal than ESTN provides.
"All throughout the off-season, we've made lap after lap in the same lane with no one alongside of us. On this weekend, there's a living, breathing drag racer alongside of this. We're racing more than just the clock this time."
Bryce will be testing a new rider aboard the G2 Motorsports Buell during ESTN. He'll also find time to work with the Klement Racing team who recently signed former world champion Angelle Sampey.
Other notable drivers entered include newly signed Don Schumacher racing rider Chip Ellis, Factory Harley-Davidson riders Andrew Hines and Eddie Krawiec as well as front-runner Karen Stoffer.
The popular Fast News Network will chronicle the weekend's runs and post on DRAG RACE CENTRAL.
To see the complete pre-entry list and news about the event - visit Torco's CompetitionPlus.com - ESTN Event Page
The official SGMP website is SOUTH GEORGIA MOTORSPORTS PARK.
