Name: Makato Tamada
Nationality: Japan
Birth Date: 11/4/1976
In 2001 Tamada stormed onto the World Superbike scene with an impressive double win as a Wildcard rider during the Sugo round.
After that he made his way to MotoGP where he won two races in 2004 on a Bridgestone equipped Camel Honda RC211V. The Japanese rider then switched over to the Michelin-shod Konica Minolta Honda.
Tamada competed in 2007 for a different manufacturer and tire brand. Instead of the coveted Honda/Michelin package with the Konica Minolta team, he headlined the Tech 3 squad's Yamaha/Dunlop configuration to lackluster results.
In 2008 Tamada made the jump to World Superbike, finding a seat with the PSG-1 Kawasaki team finishing the season in 20th place. For 2009 Tamada will remain a Kawasaki rider aboard Kawasaki's ZX-10R with new teammate Broc Parkes.
Career Highlights:
2008 - 20th World Superbike
2007 - 18th MotoGP
2006 - 12th MotoGP
2005 - 11th MotoGP
2004 - 6th MotoGP
2003 - 11th MotoGP
2002 - 4th All Japan Super Bike Championship
2002 - 2nd Suzuka 8 Hours
2001 - 2nd All Japan Super Bike Championship
2001 - 4th Suzuka 8 Hours
2000 - 3rd All Japan Super Bike Championship
1999 - 5th All Japan Super Bike Championship
1998 - 4th All Japan 250cc Championship
1997 - 6th Japanese 250cc Championship
1996 - 14th Japanese 250cc Championship
