Treble Brings New Discoveries to Columbus
 

Columbus, OH. – Pre Race: 

Each event on the NHRA POWERade drag racing tour requires a specific plan in terms of how a team will approach the race. The pre-race planning is used to turn in a performance that may help the team reach the winners circle on Sunday. 

Some events are tackled head on, while others are handled with more of a survival tactic in mind. Either way, the ultimate goal of becoming the event champion relies on careful planning, positive attitude, and usually a bit of luck somewhere along the way. 

At this weekend’s Pontiac Performance Nationals in Columbus, Ohio, Craig Treble intends on the simple plan of going back to basics, trying to put his Matco Tools / Lucas Oil Suzuki in a position to come away with the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle trophy.

 “The first three races this season have been pretty good for our Matco Tools Team,” said Treble. “We have been lucky a few times, and also ran some strong numbers that have put us in third place going into this race.

 What has us excited now is we believe we found an electrical problem, and a computer problem, that has kept our performance below what we think we should be running. I am pretty optimistic about where we are right now and I am really looking forward to this weekend in Columbus.”

Treble Qualifies 11th in Columbus

 Columbus, OH.. – Qualifying Pit Note:

Craig Treble fought both his Matco Tools / Lucas Oil Suzuki and the tricky National Trail Raceway quarter mile throughout qualifying at the Pontiac Performance Nationals in Columbus, Ohio, eventually securing the No. 11 spot on the Pro Stock Motorcycle ladder.

 “We came into Columbus knowing that immediately following the race, we would strip every piece of electronics off the bike and start fresh at the next event,” said Treble. “Our plan of sticking with a basic routine kept us running well enough to qualify, but it is frustrating to be low on the sheet even though we know why we are running the numbers we are.”

 Treble opened with a 7.205 second, 185.36 MPH pass, landing in the No. 9 position after the first session on Friday. A better 7.158 / 184.77 from the Matco Tools Motorcycle Friday night moved the team in the right direction, although both runs were plagued by electrical problems.

 Saturday’s two runs offered no improvement for the team, which settled in at the No. 11 position after the four qualifying sessions.

 “Our 60’ times have been great, they’ve saved us so far because in the last half of the track, we’re struggling,” said Treble. “The issue we have with our ignition has us in survival mode for the weekend. It’s a ‘hope for the best’ situation tomorrow morning, that’s all we can do at this point.”

 Treble will face Chip Ellis in round one of final eliminations Sunday morning.

Treble’s Day Cut Short in Columbus
 

Columbus, OH.. – Post Race:

Craig Treble’s attempt at coming away for the Pontiac Performance Nationals in Columbus, Ohio, with at least a single round win was foiled when the Matco Tools / Lucas Oil Suzuki again fought electrical problems in the opening frame. 

“We were just trying to get in and out of Columbus and not wreck any equipment,” said Treble. “I stated all weekend that we were simply trying to survive and take anything that might come our way.”

 Chip Ellis on the G Squared/S&S Cycle Buell stopped Treble in round one when the former Prostar rider ran a winning 7.124 second, 189.63 pass to turn back Treble’s 7.181 / 179.78 effort.

 “Our plan is to get going and immediately swap out all electronics on the bike,” said Treble. “Then we plan on going to the Memphis NHRA Division 4 Lucas Oil Series race in early June and test out the new set-up.”
 

Columbus Photos 2005