Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

ANALYSIS/OPINION

Based on what is currently known about 2004 AMA Pro Racing rules, which companies are currently participating and what company executives and team owners and sponsors are saying privately, a Roadracing World analysis predicts that there will be far fewer sponsored rides in the AMA paddock next year.

Roadracing World is predicting that six current support teams with a total of 10 riders will not return for the 2004 AMA Pro Road Racing Series.

Primary causes of the reduction in the number of support teams will be rising costs, less available sponsorship money and an increase in direct factory-team participation in support classes versus participation using contracted support teams.

The trend of factory teams competing directly in support classes has already been seen in Formula Xtreme with Suzuki and in Superstock with Kawasaki and Yamaha; full factory-team participation in Superstock is expected to expand to include Suzuki when Superstock switches to a 1000cc format in 2004.

AMA Pro Racing’s policy of reducing the number of classes has already eliminated three teams and five paid rides from the paddock, with the departure of Pro Thunder teams running Buells and Ducatis following the 2002 season. The elimination of 250cc Grand Prix at the end of this season will eliminate two current support teams–Stargel Aprilia and Oliver Yamaha–and two more rides.

Mid-season economic troubles have eliminated one team, Dream Team Ducati, and one ride, this season, and several other teams without substantial title sponsorship deals are on the bubble for 2004.

Which means that, if the analysis is correct, AMA Pro Racing will have lost 12 road racing teams and 18 road racing rides in two seasons.

All that remains now is to stand back and see what actually happens.