Pramac Honda report from Phillip Island day 1

Makoto Tamada has completed a highly positive second day of tests on the Australian circuit at Phillip Island. The pre-championship work programme, which is aiming to fine-tune the set-up of the RC211V as much as possible, today gave the results the technicians had been hoping for. After posting a lap time with the bike in race configuration 7 tenths quicker than in the official qualifying sessions of the GP last year, Makoto also worked to obtain a constant and fast pace.

Without using softer tyres in order to improve performance on the single lap, Makoto managed to accomplish a series of fast laps that showed how his confidence with the RC211V 2004 has already reached an excellent level.

Tests on the new materials, which started out in at Sepang, were also concluded this week in Australia. The results achieved are considered satisfactory and an extra day of tests will not be necessary. The next objective – race simulations – are being planned for the forthcoming tests in Catalunya.

Makoto Tamada (# 6 – Camel Honda Team – Bridgestone Tyres) - “I must say that today was extremely important. In the end we put together all the research work we’ve done on the settings of the 2004 bike since the beginning of the year. I think we’ve found a series of adjustments that will form a very good point of departure on many of the world championship circuits, and that will require only just a few tweaks to adapt the bike to the characteristics of each circuit. This is an important result and it will let us focus our preparatory work for each race this season on the choice of tyres.”

Giulio Bernardelle (Technical manager for Makoto Tamada – Camel Honda) - “The ideal weather conditions today again let us successfully complete a series of tests. Makoto Tamada showed he is able to maintain a fast and constant pace. We still need to examine one important aspect in order to prepare for the season: Grand Prix simulations. The next opportunity we’ll have to do this will be in Catalunya, and there we’ll see if Makoto is able to go as fast as he’s been going now for the entire duration of a race. Indeed, if we can create a top-level bike/tyre “package”, we’ll also be able to get up front more than once.”

Times on second day of tests:
Makoto Tamada: 1’31.25 – 54 laps
Max Biaggi: 1’31.07 – 86 laps