From a press release issued by Clear Channel Entertainment — Motor Sports:

Formula USA “Thunderbike” Class Rule Change

Fort Worth, TX: Formula USA intends to change the horsepower to weight ratio for the National Thunderbike Championship class for 2004. The 2003 specification called for a 3.5 pound per horsepower rule, but in 2004 Formula USA will utilizes a 3.8 horsepower to weight ratio in the “Thunderbike” class starting at Daytona Int’l Speedway February 28-29. The 2004 Formula USA Rule Book will state that a “Horsepower to weight limit of 3.8 pounds per horsepower will be required for all Thunderbike machines.” This rule will first be effective at the Daytona Int’l Speedway February 28-29, 2004 event for Round 1 of the Formula USA Championship Series. The rule is intended to make the various brands of machinery in the Thunderbike class equally competitive.

The Thunderbike class (formerly known as Heavyweight Sportsman) has proven to be very interesting competition with various brands of motorcycles. In the past it had acted as another class for Buell Lighting Series racers to test and compete in, as well as a competition forum for various other manufacturers such as Suzuki, Ducati, Triumph, Honda, BMW and their various models of single, twin, and triple cylinder machines. The strongest competition for the Buell in Thunderbike has been the Suzuki SV650 and Ducati 750 F1. With Buell machines producing anywhere between 90hp to 120hp and weighing 390 to 420 pounds versus Suzuki’s SV producing a wide range from 65hp to 100hp weighing in at 300 to 350 pounds, it has provided close competition for both brands. In 2004, BMW will reintroduce their Boxer Cup machines to the Thunderbike class with Nate Kern on board and offer an alternative to the Buell/Suzuki battles. Kern rode the BMW to a top 10 finish in the 20th Annual Race of Champions last Fall.

Defending Formula USA Thunderbike National Champion is Daytona’s own David Estok racing for Kosco Buell/Harley-Davidson. Estok will display the # 1 plate for 2004, as he defends his National Championship at the eight rounds of the Formula USA Championship Series. The first round at Daytona places Estok versus 2002 Champion Jeffrey Johnson, the Championship Cup Series Defending National Thunderbike Champions Darren James on a Buell, and Ed Key on a Suzuki SV650. Former Buell Lightning Series National Champion Bryan Bemisderfer will also be in contention along with Daytona top finishers Joe Rozynski, Richie Morris, Tripp Nobles, Greg Avello, Jerry Wood, Dan Bilanski, Kiyo Watanabe, and BMW racer Nate Kern.

For class or contingency sponsorship information contact: [email protected]

Formula USA Championship Series

Feb 26-29 Daytona Intl Speedway

April 23-25 Road America

May 29-31 Summit Point

June 18-20 New Hampshire Intl

June 25-27 Virginia Intl Raceway

August 13-15 Barber Motorsports

September 24-26 Las Vegas Classic Course

October 22-24 Daytona Intl Speedway