Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Participation in the AMA Pro Racing 2004 Chevrolet U.S. Superbike Championship series is declining.

In 2003, the first practice for the Superbike, Supersport, Superstock and 250cc Grand Prix classes at Daytona International Speedway saw 207 riders go out on track.

In 2004, the same classes, with the exception of Formula Xtreme replacing 250cc Grand Prix, saw 168 riders go out in the first practice, a decline of 18.9 percent.

The trend holds true when comparing the number of riders who attempted to qualify at Daytona in 2003, 220, versus the number of riders who attempted to qualify at Daytona in 2004, 173, a 21.4 percent decline.

The second round of the 2004 series, at California Speedway, saw participation drop even more. Participation in the first practice sessions for the four classes dropped 21.9 percent, 192 riders in 2003 versus 150 riders in 2004, and participation in qualifying sessions for the four classes dropped 26.7 percent, 206 riders in 2003 versus 151 riders in 2004.

AMA Pro Racing Vice President, Director of Communications Kerry Graeber could not be reached for comment at post time.