Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The annual Dunlop tire test started today at Daytona International Speedway. The test is scheduled to continue through Wednesday, December 10.

Most of the factory-supported AMA road race teams that use Dunlop tires are present, including American Honda, Erion Honda, Kawasaki, Attack Kawasaki, Yoshimura Suzuki, Yamaha and Graves Yamaha.

American Honda has Ben Bostrom and Miguel Duhamel on hand.

Erion Honda has brought Jake Zemke and Alex Gobert.

Kawasaki has a pair of Haydens on its team, Tommy and Roger Lee.

Attack Kawasaki has confirmed 2003 AMA Superstock Champion Josh Hayes and Tony Meiring to its squad.

Yoshimura Suzuki is testing with four-time AMA Superbike Mat Mladin and Aaron Yates. Ben Spies is also present at the test, but is not riding.

Yamaha and Graves Yamaha share the services of Damon Buckmaster, Aaron Gobert, Jason DiSalvo and 2003 AMA Supersport Champion Jamie Hacking.

DiSalvo was the first rider on-track at 9:26 a.m. local time Monday, but he had jumped the gun and went out before the track was officially open. Buckmaster was the first legitimate rider on the track at 9:49 a.m.

The delay to open the track was due to moisture on the surface in areas.

Some other teams made delayed starts due to logistical issues with mounting tires.

The morning was chilly, but by noon Monday the temperature was 66 degrees F with an expected high of 70. High temperatures are expected to climb close to 80 degrees F over the next two days with a 30 percent chance of isolated thunderstorms on Wednesday.