From a press release issued by Honda Racing Information:

CAMEL HONDA RIDE AT HOME IN JAPAN

The forthcoming Camel Grand Prix of Japan is a crucial event for the Camel Honda team and its two riders. Both of them love the race in the land of the rising sun: especially Makoto, who rides at home, but also Max, who has close ties to the country and his Japanese fans, so much so that there is a local headquarters of his fan-club in the city of Yokohama. Beside all that, this race is a chance for him to make up for the misfortune he suffered in the Portuguese GP, whilst Makoto looks to continue the rich vein of form he finds himself in. The duo both like the Motegi track, last year Max took a brilliant victory whilst Makoto showed himself to be a competitive force.

Sito Pons – Camel Honda (Team Principal)
“The Grand Prix of Japan is a significant race for all the team, for our title sponsors Camel who have lent their name to the Grand Prix, for Honda who are at their home track, the same goes for Makoto, and also it is special for Max who took a splendid triumph there last year. For the team it was a second successive victory, given that the year before we got the same result with Barros. Our engineers have shown themselves capable of interpreting the track perfectly for the bike’s set-up, an important factor at this circuit, and so our objective is to continue in the winning ways of the previous two years.”

Max Biaggi #3: (Michelin Tyres)
“To go and race at Motegi is something that will help me get over what happened in Portugal, not only because I like the track, but also because I like being in Japan, I have a lot of friends there and an exceptional fan club. As regards the GP itself, I aim to do a good race of course, as I did last year. I have worked very hard with the team on the bike, none of us have rested for a second, and we have succeeded, also thanks to the fundamental support of the Honda engineers, to get a good base set-up. The RC211V is a top level bike, and by collaborating with the factory technicians I should be able to enjoy it to its full potential.”

Luca Montiron – Camel Honda (Makoto Tamada Team Manager)
“The entire squad is happy to be going to Japan, because it is the home race for our rider, for our sponsor, for the factory we ride for and also for our tyre manufacturers! So our objective is obviously to get a great result, and everything is in place to be able to do so. The bike is going well, and the technicians have got the set-up of the RC211V working at all kinds of tracks. Bridgestone has made some significant progress and Makoto is in good shape at the moment. He likes Motegi and the fact of riding in front of his home fans and riding in his home country gives him enormous motivation, as with all the riders. We’re confident we will go well.”

Makoto Tamada #6: (Bridgestone Tyres)
“I can’t wait to ride in Japan. I love Suzuka and this year I missed it, but at last the Motegi race has come around. I left straight from the Portuguese GP to spend a bit of time at home but now I’m eager to get out onto the track. The bike is going well and the tyres have improved considerably, while the team know the requests I’m going to make. My aim is to get a fantastic result in Japan.”

2003 podium

1. M. Biaggi (Honda)
2. V. Rossi (Honda)
3. N. Hayden (Honda)


Pole Position
M. Biaggi (Honda -2003)
1:47.696


Official Record
V. Rossi (Honda – 2003)
1:48.885


Nº of laps
24 (115.224 km)



MotoGP Timetable:
6.00am CET
14.00 local time. (GMT + 9)




Characteristics
Length: 4,801 m
Width: 12-15m
Right turns: 8
Left turns: 6
Constructed in: 1997
Last modified: n/a