From a press release issued by Mat Mladin Motorsports:

Monday, 8 December 2003
AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship
Daytona International Speedway, Florida, USA
Dunlop tyre test

MLADIN LINES UP FOR DUNLOP TYRE TEST AT DAYTONA

Daytona Beach, Florida, USA (Monday, 8 December) – Defending American Superbike champion Mat Mladin heads a strong list of riders who will be taking part in this week’s three-day Dunlop tyre test at the famed Daytona International Speedway on the American east coast.

The test will see Mladin rejoin his Yoshimura Suzuki team for the first time since winning an unprecedented fourth AMA Superbike crown at Barber Motorsports Park, Alabama on September 21 after returning home for a short break and for the birth of his first child.

This weeks test will mark the beginning of Mladin’s pre-season preparation as he strives to win a fifth title.

“This is the opening week of the Yoshimura Suzuki’s testing program for next year and I am looking forward to it in that respect,” said Mladin. “The team have been working extremely hard since the end of the season and I’m feeling refreshed and ready to go. 2003 proved to be a good year for us and at this point, I cannot see any reason why we should not be able to reproduce the same form in 2004.”

“We have a lot of work to do before the season commences in March,” Mladin added. “The AMA have modified the rules in the Superbike class and we have to now get the best out of our bike in accordance with the rules. Another area in which we have to work hard will be tyres and that’s where we will start this week. We had a tough time with tyres here last year, so it will be interesting to see what Dunlop have for us this week.”

The 2003 season proved to be a stellar year for Mladin where he not only clinched his fourth AMA Superbike championship, but equalled Fred Merkel’s long standing record of ten race wins for a season, extending his overall career win tally to 24. He also further extended his own record of pole positions to 31 after setting the fastest time during qualifying on seven occasions in 2003.

This week’s test (Monday through Wednesday) will be a precursor to the Daytona 200 which opens the 18-race 2004 AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship on Saturday, March 6.