2006 Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals

Schnitz 8th in Pomona

Ryan Schnitz is sitting 8th in the Pro Stock Motorcycle field after two rounds of qualifying for the Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals. Ryan's best lap on the Trim-Tex/Muzzy's Buell came in Thursday's first round, with a slight drop-off on Friday. "I attribute that to a bad chain," said Schnitz. "We had a number of passes on that chain, so we replaced it and checked all the wheel bearings and motor bearings to make sure nothing's trying to seize. But we're doing OK. We're getting there."

qualifying round 1
7th Ryan Schnitz right lane 7.099 at 185.59 mph

qualifying round 2
8th Ryan Schnitz left lane 7.124 at 182.87 mph

"The conditions were better on Thursday when we had better air, but there was room to improve on our end today for sure. Saturday morning should be the best conditions of the four qualifiers, so we hope to improve then. We won out here last year, so we've got some pretty good data. Our best was an .05 last year, so we should be able to duplicate that. We'll give it our best."

ESPN2 Schedule
Qualifying on Saturday November 11th, 10:00pm to 12:00am
Eliminations on Sunday November 12th, 7:00pm to 10:00pm

NHRA/POWERade Point Standings
7th Ryan Schnitz 738

Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle
7th Ryan Schnitz (tied with Chip Ellis) 370

Current Full Throttle NHRA Pit Crew Championship Point Standings
9th Ryan Schnitz/Rob Muzzy 295

Ryan's Red Keeps Antron Alive

Qualified seventh for the Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals, Ryan Schnitz headed into round 1 against Pro Stock Motorcycle 
championship contender Antron Brown. Schnitz hoped to spoil Brown's chances, but went -.007 red instead.

eliminations round 1
(W) Antron Brown .039 7.152 at 184.90 mph
Ryan Schnitz -.007(R) 7.057 at 187.05 mph

"I wasn't trying to push the tree, I was just trying to cut a really good green light," said Schnitz, who ran over .030 quicker on the lap than he qualified. "We had made a small fuel change for today's slightly better conditions. The tire was coming around, the track was coming around, and our motor is in good shape. We had a really good run, but it came up red."

Brown was unable to take advantage of the championship opportunity, losing in round 2.

"This was a tough loss for the Trim-Tex/Muzzy's team," said Schnitz. "But we're really looking forward to running the NHRA series next year." The Schnitz/Muzzy team was the subject of much speculation at Pomona, further fueled by posting the Buell for sale on the Muzzys.com site. Both Muzzy and Schnitz have long careers with Kawasaki, and there have been rumors that the team will return to wearing green next year. "We'll make an announcement after the 2007 rules are put in writing," said Ryan. "Our bike is for sale, and our plan is to have a new chassis next year based on everything we've learned so far. But anything's a possibility for next year—it might be a Buell, it might be a Kawasaki, it might be a Suzuki. We'll just have to wait and see.

"Our season this year wouldn't have been possible without the support of Joe Koenig and Trim-Tex. I really want to thank Joe, and of course Rob Muzzy, who I've been racing with for five years now. I also want to thank my dad Dave and Schnitz Racing, not only for product support but also for coming to the races and helping with the tuning and mechanical work it takes to run in this class." 

Ryan races next at the ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida, March 15-18, 2007.

ESPN2 Schedule
Eliminations on Sunday November 12th, 7:00pm to 10:00pm

NHRA/POWERade Point Standings
7th Ryan Schnitz 738

Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle
7th Ryan Schnitz (tied with Chip Ellis) 370

Current Full Throttle NHRA Pit Crew Championship Point Standings
9th Ryan Schnitz/Rob Muzzy 295

Schnitz thanked Trim-Tex Drywall Products, Muzzy's, Schnitz Racing, Bates Leathers and NGK.

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2006 Race Season
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