ANGELLE AND BRYCE - REUNITED
There was a time when the names Angelle and George Bryce were
synonymous in the Pro Stock Motorcycle ranks. Sponsorship developments sent
them in opposite directions. When Angelle Sampey signed on with Karl and Kim
Klement’s RUSH Racing Products, the door was opened for a reunion.
"Angelle and I raced together for seven years," said
Bryce. "We missed four championships in a row by only eight points in
1999, then we won the next three straight. I know it is different out there now
than it was when we won so much. So much has changed in our lives and in our
sport. But I know we respect each other's abilities, strength, and passion for
winning now more than ever."
"I'm very excited about the reunion tour with George and Jackie
Bryce," said Sampey. "They always have been like family to me since
the day they gave me my first opportunity to race in the NHRA with the Star
Racing team. We've had our share of bumps and bruises along the way, but just
like family, we've always worked through it and remained there for each other
throughout the years, even when we were in competition against each other. I
think I am better at anything I try when I have a coach, and GB3 (Bryce) is the
best racing coach there is."
There was a time when the names Angelle and George Bryce were
synonymous in the Pro Stock Motorcycle ranks. Sponsorship developments sent
them in opposite directions. When Angelle Sampey signed on with Karl and Kim
Klement’s RUSH Racing Products, the door was opened for a reunion.
"Angelle and I raced together for seven years," said
Bryce. "We missed four championships in a row by only eight points in
1999, then we won the next three straight. I know it is different out there now
than it was when we won so much. So much has changed in our lives and in our
sport. But I know we respect each other's abilities, strength, and passion for
winning now more than ever."
"I'm very excited about the reunion tour with George and Jackie
Bryce," said Sampey. "They always have been like family to me since
the day they gave me my first opportunity to race in the NHRA with the Star
Racing team. We've had our share of bumps and bruises along the way, but just
like family, we've always worked through it and remained there for each other
throughout the years, even when we were in competition against each other. I
think I am better at anything I try when I have a coach, and GB3 (Bryce) is the
best racing coach there is."
"To be honest about it, I hate racing against her," said Bryce.
"The reason we were so successful together the first time was her
undeniable competitive spirit and drive, and I'm the same way. Even when we did
not get along, the will to do what was required to win kept us on the same
page.
"Angelle and I have talked for years about one day maybe having a reunion
tour. Though it seemed kind of impossible to pull off, we did think that if we
could, it would be a ton of fun. Now the stars seem to have aligned perfectly
for several reasons. My G2 partner George Smith and crew chief Ken Johnson have
been very successful running the G2 team without me, and Karl and I proved that
we could win together. Karl and Kim had a record breaking first season for new
team owners. If it was not a record success for a rookie team, it was close to
it, for sure."
"Putting Angelle on our Rush Racing bike was huge, but completing the deal
with George Bryce, George Smith, and G2 Motorsports is an extremely important
part in making a run to the championship," said Karl Klement. "Our
team enjoyed such great success last year with G2 and their S&S engines
without an engine failure. They stepped up to the plate and got us what we
needed to make a run in the Countdown. Everyone behind the scenes at G2 and
S&S is what makes a team like ours run as well as we do, from Ken Johnson
and Ruth Olson to Derek Churchwell and everybody in the engine shop. Not only
are they very supportive, but I get along with them all down there and we have
a very good relationship. The reliability that I've got and the friends I've
made is why we have a good combination to make a run for the
championship."
"Angelle and George have proven in the past that they're a force to be
reckoned with," said Rush Racing Products president Lou Pringle.
"We're looking forward to a great race year and I think it's going to open
some eyes to what they can accomplish. They have a great team behind them and I
expect to be in the winners circle a few times."
"I know what George Bryce is capable of tuning these V-Twins, and I can't
wait to ride that Rush Racing Rocket with GB3 and the rest of the team behind
me!" added Angelle. "My goal is to win five more races to gain the
title of 'Winningest Pro Stock Motorcycle Racer' and I know that my best chance
of making that happen is with George and Karl and the rest of my new Rush
Racing Products team."
Sampey's attack on the 45 win mark held by the late Dave Schultz is garnering
interest beyond the class. "A TV producer called me and told me that
Angelle needed to win just five more races to enter into the record books as
the winningest rider in history," said Bryce. "The producer said that
she was trying to sell a cool TV show to several networks about Angelle's wild
and crazy life and lifestyle. The networks pointed out to her that it was a
cool idea, but was it really possible for her to win five more races in the
length of time to put a decent show together in this day and age of ultra
competitiveness in our Pro Stock Motorcycle class? You all know that Angelle
and I only took two Wally's home with us in all of 2007, one each. That TV show
may take five more years to come true at that rate!"
The show is called ''Devil on Two Wheels'', and the plot got extra thick and
spicy with Bryce thrown into the roux. "The Producer called me out of the
blue and said 'George, do you think you and Angelle could race together again?
And would you win more together than apart?' I said 'Yes, I would hope so!' It
is tough out there now, but I believe that we would win more racing together
than racing against each other. I am so amazed that the opportunity of a
lifetime has presented itself the way it has. To say than I am excited would be
an understatement. The reunion of our winning spirit with G2 Motorsports and
the S&S powered V-Twin monster gives Angelle the best chance to win rounds,
races, and ultimately her fourth championship."