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

FORMULA USA THUNDERBIKE CLASS RULE UPDATE

2 NEW CHANGES FOR 2004

JAN 29, 2004 (Fort Worth, TX)

Rule / Purse Update

The 2004 Formula USA ThunderBike class, a perennial crowd favorite featuring today’s greatest twin machine battles between America’s Buell and Japan’s Suzuki, returns to the Formula USA program. A minor adjustment to the weight to horsepower limit has been made by changing the ratio to 3.8 pounds per horsepower (tested weight divided by tested horsepower) for all of the single, twin, and triple cylinder machines. (See 2004 FUSA/CCS Rule Book for equipment listing and requirements.)

Formula USA will also award National Championship Recognition to the top placing Amateur in ThunderBike competition at the 21st Annual Race of Champions in Daytona Beach held in October. The Champion will be determined by points earned at all Formula USA rounds over the course of the 2004 season.

As of March 1, 2004, all liquid cooled four cylinder machines are require to meet a ratio of 4.5 pounds per horsepower for F-USA ThunderBike. For complete details of Thunderbike class rules visit FormulaUSA.com or CCSracing.com, and download a copy of the 2004 Rule Book. While there, you may also print copies of the latest CCS / FUSA license mailer and the Spring event mailer, including event details for 2004 Spring Daytona (February 26-29) and Elkhart Lake (April 23-25).

PROJECTED 2004 Earnings for Thunderbike Competitors:

2004 FORMULA USA THUNDERBIKE Championship Point Fund
1st $2,000
2nd $1,250
3rd $1,000
4th $750
5th $500

2004 FORMULA USA THUNDERBIKE Minimum Sprint Purse
1st $500
2nd $325
3rd $250
4th $225
5th $200
6th $100
7th $100
8th $100
9th $100
10th $100

2004 Formula USA THUNDERBIKE Projected Winnings with Contingency*
1st $2,645
2nd $2,105
3rd $1,705
4th $1,255
5th $1,020
6th $730
7th $640
8th $510
9th $470
10th $435

Formula USA Projected THUNDERBIKE Championship Bonuses with Contingency*
1st $9,250
2nd $1,250
3rd $1,125
4th $750
5th $500

*Figures based on best paying product in each category from 2003 Contingency Program and 2004 minimum purse.