Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Far fewer riders are participating in this year’s AMA National at Pikes Peak International Raceway compared to 2003.

In total count, using the number of riders who went out in the first official AMA practice for each class, 66 fewer riders are at Pikes Peak this year compared to last year.

Total rider count at PPIR in 2003 was 189, compared to 123 this weekend.

The Superbike class drew 41 riders in 2003 and 29 this weekend.

The Superstock class drew 47 riders in 2003 and 26 this weekend.

The Formula Xreme class drew 40 riders in 2003 and 27 this weekend.

The Supersport class bucked the trend, drawing 37 riders in 2003 and 40 this weekend.

Of the 66 missing riders this weekend, 24 came from the 2003 250cc Grand Prix class, which is no longer part of an AMA National weekend.

The PPIR rider count continues a season-long trend.

At Daytona this year, 57 riders ran in the first Superbike practice versus 71 in 2003; 39 ran in the first Superstock practice versus 52 in 2003; 52 ran the first Supersport practice versus 42 in 2003. The Formula Xtreme class didn’t run at Daytona in 2003 but did in 2004, with 20 riders running in the first FX practice session. The 250cc GP class didn’t run in 2004 but did in 2003, with 42 riders running in the first practice session. In the non-AMA BoxerCup class, 44 riders ran in the first practice session in 2003 versus 20 riders this year.

At California Speedway this year, 38 riders ran in the first Superbike practice versus 61 in 2003; 38 ran in the first Superstock practice versus 63 in 2003; 46 ran in the first Supersport practice versus 41 in 2003; 28 ran in the first Formula Xtreme practice versus 27 in 2003; 29 riders ran in the now-eliminated 250cc GP class in 2003.

At Infineon Raceway this year, 42 riders ran in the first Superbike practice versus 57 in 2003; 36 ran in the first Superstock practice versus 53 in 2003; 42 ran in the first Supersport practice versus 35 in the first dry Supersport practice in 2003; 30 ran in the first Formula Xtreme practice versus 36 in 2003; and 39 riders ran in the now-eliminated 250cc GP class in 2003.

At Barber Motorsports Park this year, 42 riders ran in the first Superbike practice versus 51 in 2003; 30 ran in the first Superstock practice versus 48 in 2003; 44 ran in the first Supersport practice versus 39 in 2003; 25 ran in the first Formula Xtreme practice versus 29 in 2003; and 37 riders ran in the now-eliminated 250cc GP class in 2003.