From a press release issued by Camel Honda Racing Information:

First day of “Australian” tests for Makoto Tamada
on Phillip Island

Just time to check the arrival of the bikes and materials from the recent tests in Malaysia, and the top world championship teams are back on track. Another session of private tests – the third this year – now on the ocean-side circuit on Phillip Island. The first of the three days on the programme gave participants perfect weather conditions: 26°C (79°F) air temperature and 30° and 36° (86° and 97°) on the ground in the morning and the afternoon respectively. Clear skies and summer heat mitigated by the ever-present wind on the island. The ideal conditions to clock up the miles and get ready for the start of the 2004 championship –which is getting closer and closer.

Makoto Tamada spent his time finding out about his 2004 RC211V. Starting off from the settings used in the 2003 race here in Australia, he checked out and appreciated the various advanced adjustment possibilities that have given this year’s RC211V its competitive edge.

Makoto Tamada (# 6 – Camel Honda – Bridgestone Tyres)
“I’m pleased about how we’ve been able to get to work so fast and so well with the new bike – on a track that’s so different from Sepang. This is a fast circuit with a very characteristic rhythm, but we quickly adapted my RC211V. We concentrated the development work on the tyres by focusing on a fairly limited number of compounds and the ideal weather conditions came in the afternoon. Over the next two days we’ll be able to work out even more precise settings for the bike.”

Giulio Bernardelle (Technical director for Makoto Tamada – Camel Honda)
“I’m really satisfied with the way the rider works, making it possible for us to carry out a targeted search for the perfect settings. We’re building on the experience we gained last season in order to achieve an important objective: that of getting onto every single world championship circuit with the right set-up and the right tyres. What we’re really concentrating on in these tests is the engine, the electronics, the chassis and the suspension. The 2004 bike gives us greater range of manoeuvre and the research work – adapting the bike to the various circuits – is really exciting.”


Times on first day of tests:

Makoto Tamada: 1:31.85 – 56 laps
Max Biaggi: 1:31.40 – 75 laps