From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship slims down to five classes in 2003, four by 2004

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — As part of many proposed rules changes for the next two years, the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship will be streamlined from six classes to five in 2003, and then down to four classes in 2004, AMA Pro Racing has announced today. The changes are designed to improve race operations and provide more track time to riders, but also allow greater emphasis on the premier racing championships of AMA Superbike and AMA Supersport.

AMA Pro Racing is in negotiations with WERA Motorcycle Roadracing to take on the AMA Buell Pro Thunder Series in 2003, and the AMA MBNA 250 Grand Prix Series in 2004. After the move to WERA, neither class will be run as part of the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship.

“We see our WERA National Challenge Series as a great fit for these two classes,” said WERA’s Evelyne Clarke. “We are excited about adding these two premier classes to our program and look forward to working with AMA Pro Racing as its provider of ‘future stars’.”

It is anticipated that some of the teams participating in the Buell Pro Thunder class will move into AMA Pro Honda Oils Supersport or AMA Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock competition under current AMA Superstock rules and 2003 AMA Supersport rules changes that will allow 750cc twin-cylinder machines to compete.

“We want to bring better focus to the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship, and reorganizing and streamlining the championship will help us do that,” said Scott Hollingsworth, CEO of AMA Pro Racing. “Fewer classes will allow us to do things that will benefit race operations, riders, fans and promoters. To take AMA professional road racing to a higher level, we have to do fewer things and do them better.”

AMA Superbike will continue to be the premier class in the series as it has been since 1987. With new rules coming next year, it is anticipated that the grids will grow and the gap between the factory teams and the privateer teams will shrink. AMA Supersport will continue to grow in importance, and new rules will help bring even more brands into the championship.

These proposed rules changes are based on input gathered over the last year and a half from the AMA Pro Racing Road Race Advisory Board, riders, teams, manufacturers, promoters, fans and media. A more detailed explanation of the proposed rules changes can be viewed at www.amaproracing.com.

AMA Pro Racing licensed riders and credential holders may comment on the proposed rules changes during a 30-day comment period that is set for Thursday, June 27, through Friday, July 26. The comments can be made on AMA Pro Racing’s RIDERS ONLY website at www.amaproracing.com/ridersonly. After the 30-day comment period concludes, AMA Pro Racing will review any suggested changes before sending the package to the AMA Pro Racing Board of Directors for final ratification.