2006 Pontiac Performance NHRA Nationals

Schnitz not happy with 12th 

Columbus, Friday: Ryan Schnitz and the Trim-Tex/Muzzy's team got off to a disappointing start in day 1 of Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying at the Pontiac Performance NHRA Nationals near Columbus, Ohio.

"The first round, we just kinda made a pass," said Schnitz, whose Buell broke in the last race in Atlanta, leaving the team with no data for that lap. "We didn't know where to start out here with this motor." 

Qualifying round 1: 14th, right lane, 7.174 at 179.52 mph

"We improved with our second qualifier, but not as well as we should," continued Schnitz. "We're losing power on the top end. We're putting in a fresh motor and we'll see if that helps." 

Qualifying round 2: 12th, left lane, 7.149 at 180.02 mph

"We're having a problem with the chain and the sprocket and it's robbing us of some ET. We made some changes and it doesn't seem to be helping us. We're the only team who seems to be having this problem, so it must be the parts or something we're doing. It's like the chassis is flexing, but it's not. Nothing's threaded, the bike runs straight down the track and feels just like it always has. And our 60 foots have not been where we've been this year. 

"We hate to change too many things at one time 'cause we still need to qualify better and go some rounds," added Schnitz. "None of this is for lack of effort, that's for sure. Everybody's doing the best they can."

Schnitz loses Round 3, stuck in 15th

Columbus, Saturday: A glitch in the National Trail right lane timing system left Ryan Schnitz with no time for his round 3 pass in Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying at the Pontiac Performance NHRA Nationals near Columbus, Ohio. Antron Brown suffered the same problem in the same lane just before Ryan. "There was a problem with the lights and the track tried to blame it on the riders, but it wasn't their fault," said Rob Muzzy, the legendary builder/tuner who owns Ryan's Trim-Tex Buell. "They had all kind of problems after that and had to shut the track down for a while."

"Antron was pretty animated about the whole situation," reported Schnitz. "I knew they weren't gonna do anything about it, so you just have to look at your data and move on. It's a never-ending battle with computer systems."

Qualifying round 3: 14th, no time

When Schnitz ran again in round 4, he didn't improve on Friday's time and dropped back one position.

Qualifying round 4: 15th, 7.189 at 181.91 mph (best run 7.149)

"We're hoping we finally figured out something, anyway" said Muzzy. "Clutch setup has been a problem for us, and we weren't getting data so we've been running blind since Atlanta. We have some ideas on what to change, but until we run it Sunday we won't find out if it's right or not. We changed some parts that we hadn't had to change before and now the clutch is completely different. We have to adjust to that."

"I think we've eliminated a lot of things and we'll make a pass tomorrow," said Schnitz. "After first round we'll have an idea about whether we're moving in the right direction or off in left field." Schnitz faces two-time champ Andrew Hines in round 1.

Schnitz Trees Hines, comes up short

Columbus, Sunday: 15th qualifier Ryan Schnitz came oh-so-close to knocking off number 2 Andrew Hines in round 1 of Pro Stock Motorcycle competition at the NHRA event at National Trail Raceway near Columbus, Ohio. 

eliminations round 1
(W)Andrew Hines .045 7.085 at 184.42mph
Ryan Schnitz .014 7.134 at 183.99mph

"I cut a good light, had a good front half, and he didn't pass us until about 100-150 feet before the finishline," Schnitz said about the race with Hines. "The left lane (which Hines was in) was probably two hundredths quicker than the right. That's why you qualify well, so you can take advantage of that first round."

Schnitz feels the team made some gains on the driveline problems they were having on Friday. "We switched to a 530 chain from the 630 that we were running. It's better, but it's still not right. We'll just keep at it and keep working.

"I think we found most of the problems we've been struggling with. Now we just have to fine-tune that. But I have confidence that we're gonna do really well at Chicago.

"I want to thank Kurt Matte for filling in as a mechanic this week. I appreciated his input and am looking forward to having him do it again."

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