Sat, 3 Sep 2005, 11:55 AM Top Qualifier Hines Seeks Second Victory in Third Start in 15th annual Ringers Gloves Pro

Courtesy of NHRA Communications

CLERMONT, Ind. -- Bike Battle Andrew Hines will headline a special eight-motorcycle field from the No. 1 qualifying position as he seeks his second consecutive victory in three starts in the 15th annual Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle at Indianapolis Raceway Park on Sept. 3. The special bonus event for NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle competitors will be held during the 51st annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, the world's most prestigious drag race.

The total race day purse for the Battle is $36,000. The winner will earn a $15,000 bonus from Ringers Gloves. Any rider who can win the Battle and the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals will earn a $10,000 'Double-Up' bonus from the NHRA.

The Battle runner-up will earn $5,000. The two semifinalists will earn $3,000 each, while the four first-round finishers will earn $2,500 apiece.

Hines claimed the No. 1 spot for the special event by earning seven No. 1 qualifying efforts and qualifying fifth or better at 14 of the 15 NHRA events that make up the Battle series. In addition to the $36,000 available in the Battle, $15,000 in bonuses were awarded to quick qualifiers throughout the 15-race Battle series.

Hines, the 2004 Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion, won the Battle in 2004 over GT Tonglet in a duel of Harley-Davidsons. Tonglet starts from the third position on his Screamin' Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson, while Antron Brown starts from the No. 2 spot atop his U.S. Army Suzuki for his seventh career appearance. Chip Ellis starts from the fourth position on his G-Squared Star Racing S & S Buell and Angelle Sampey rounds out the top five on her U.S. Army Suzuki in her ninth career appearance.

Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle rounds are scheduled for 1, 6 and 7:25 p.m. on Sept. 3.

2005 RINGERS GLOVES PRO BIKE BATTLE FINAL STANDINGS
1. Andrew Hines, Indianapolis, Screamin' Eagle Harley-Davidson     2,425
2. Antron Brown, Indianapolis, U.S. Army Suzuki                    2,230
3. G.T. Tonglet, New Orleans, Screamin' Eagle Harley-Davidson      2,225
4. Chip Ellis, Americus, Ga., G-Squared Star Racing S&S Buell      2,225
5. Angelle Sampey, New Orleans, U.S. Army Suzuki                   2,020
6. Geno Scali, Chicago, Team Trim-Tex Suzuki                       1,915
7. Steve Johnson, Birmingham, Ala., Steve Johnson Racing Suzuki    1,745
8. Craig Treble, Hensley, Ark., Matco Tools Suzuki                 1,730

2005 RINGERS GLOVES PRO BIKE BATTLE ROUND PAIRINGS
FIRST ROUND
Hines vs. Treble
Brown vs. Johnson
Tonglet vs. Scali
Ellis vs. Sampey

SEMIFINALS
Hines-Treble winner vs. Ellis-Sampey winner
Brown-Johnson winner vs. Tonglet-Scali winner

FINAL (7:25 p.m., Sept. 3)