When team owner George Bryce left NHRA’s Pro Stock Motorcycle ranks following the 2008 season, it was on his own terms.

Now, Bryce, a six-time world champion owner, is ready to get back in the class in 2011.

“Last weekend, the activity to buzz again, and the juices started flowing again (about getting back into racing),” the 56-year-old Bryce said. “We never quit doing research and development. We still do Suzuki engines for customers and the S&S Buell engines like Hector Arana runs. We have all that stuff and we a great 18-wheeler and a good team, and all we lack is a little bit of a budget to go (racing).”

When team owner George Bryce left NHRA’s Pro Stock Motorcycle ranks following the 2008 season, it was on his own terms.

Now, Bryce, a six-time world champion owner, is ready to get back in the class in 2011.

“Last weekend, the activity to buzz again, and the juices started flowing again (about getting back into racing),” the 56-year-old Bryce said. “We never quit doing research and development. We still do Suzuki engines for customers and the S&S Buell engines like Hector Arana runs. We have all that stuff and we a great 18-wheeler and a good team, and all we lack is a little bit of a budget to go (racing).”

The last time Bryce’s Star Racing team ran full-time on the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle circuit was in 2008 with Chris Rivas driving. Rivas won four races, including the final two races of the season, finishing second in the points chase, just five points behind champion Eddie Krawiec.

“That was a good time to quit, when we were on top and winning,” said Bryce, who is based in Americus, Ga. “We thought that’s what we wanted to do, so we took a two-year break. Now, we’re sending out feelers and giving an open invitation to a team that would like to be able to get involved with a professional NHRA team for a low cost.”

Bryce has been training with rider Michael Ray to pilot the Star Racing Pro Stock Motorcycle. Ray has been a standout in the All Harley Drag Racing Association (AHDRA).

“He (Ray) has been fast (in testing), and we’re pretty sure we’re going to get enough ducks in a row to make the Gatornationals, and if we can that would be great,” Bryce said. “We have a group that is interested in going to the Gators, but they have not talked at all about going to the rest of the races (in 2011). I would like to go ahead and put together a plan where we could decorate the 18-wheeler and the bike and the uniforms and the leathers and get out there and make a run for it (in 2011).”

The Pro Stock Motorcycle season begins March 10-13 at the Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla.

Bryce has also kept his name out there in NHRA circles since he teaches Pro Stock Motorcycle racing at the NHRA Drag Racing School in Gainesville. Bryce has been an instructor at the school for 18 years.

“That’s where I met a lot of the racers I have raced with who have been winners and champions,” Bryce said. “That’s where I met Angelle (Sampey) when we started racing together in 1996. Plus, we didn’t quit racing the last two years. We did some ADRL races and we did a lot of local outlaw races here (in Georgia).”

From 1990-2002, Bryce’s Pro Stock Motorcycle riders won six NHRA championships in 1990, 1992, 1995, 2000, 2001, and 2002. Also in those 13 seasons, Bryce’s riders finished no worse than second in the points standings. Bryce’s team has won 78 NHRA national events with 11 different riders.

“Ken Johnson has been my crew chief for 25 years and he and I have won all these races together, and he and I have been itching to go back racing,” Bryce said. “When you race hard for that long, it is in your blood and I would sure like to give it another try.”

 

 

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