Props to Mladin as a human being.

dunedain · 01-18-2007, 1:32 PM

I'm a Honda racing fan but admire Mat Mladin's racing style. The guy is an animal on the track even though CMRA (my local race org) product Ben Spies took his crown last year. He has been criticised for being abrasive and even mouthy which I find interesting considering we're talking about a motorcycle racer. I've met him a half dozen times and while he's not meek and mild like Eboz or jolly like Pridemore he was nice every time I met him.

06 Thanksgiving weekend I lost a friend and co-worker in a bike accident. He was a huge Mladin fan and died riding his GSXR 1000. His dad is also a rider and Mladin fan. Of course it shook our company and the sportbike community to its core when this kid died as he was an excellent rider/racer but as any of you know none us are promised a tomorrow (especially us sport bike types). Naturally it devistated thier family who were all very close to him and bikes.

I shot Mat a note showing him the obituary where it listed Mat as his hero and all he cared about was "ridin that bike" and there was a picture of him launching his GSXR at the local drags.

Mat signed a poster for the Johnson family and sent it to them with his respect for his fellow GSXR rider/racer and it really blew the family away. They made it through a tough holiday season but got to start the new year with a note from Mat telling them "Daniel rides the other side waiting for them".

It's a good thing.

PJNXX · 01-18-2007, 1:44 PM

That's a great story! I'm not a Mladin fan at all, but that is a great thing that he did.

John01XX · 01-18-2007, 3:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJNXX

That's a great story! I'm not a Mladin fan at all, but that is a great thing that he did.

+1

Warchild · 01-18-2007, 4:09 PM

It appears to me that Matt definitely has become less abrasive since the birth of his daughter. I used to not like him as a person (though there's no denying the racing skills), but anymore, I think he's a pretty okay guy. This story seems to support that notion.

Still glad Spies won the title, though... between Mladin's constant championships since Nicky went to MotoGP, and the 3-ring circus ran by inept clowns (AMA Pro Racing), the series hasn't been all that exciting the last 3-4 years.

dunedain · 01-18-2007, 10:37 PM

Yep kids will do that to ya. Mladin has changed and I think he's also preparing for the end and setting up MM Imports among other businesses.

Dont even get me started on the AMA.

PJNXX · 01-18-2007, 11:57 PM

With Mat winning so many AMA Superbike Championships, I wonder why he was never asked to make the jump to MotoGP. Was it his choice or a mandate from the Suzuki brass that he stay in AMA?

BDAZXX · 01-19-2007, 2:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJNXX

With Mat winning so many AMA Superbike Championships, I wonder why he was never asked to make the jump to MotoGP. Was it his choice or a mandate from the Suzuki brass that he stay in AMA?

He did have a chance on a Cagiva in the early 90's and made nothing of it. Mats to old now to jump to MGP. Its a young mans game and thats what the factories are looking for. Nicky, Dani, Casey and on and on. There all in the early 20's and have another 10+ yrs of MGP ahead of them.

I was never a Mat fan but he has changed since he had his little girl. He seems to be a good guy now and from the experience you shared with us. That confirms it. He also donated a GSXR750 for raffle at a local trackday put on by 3J's at Infineon to support Vincent Haskovec (sp) a few months ago. He even showed up and hung out for the day.

dunedain · 01-19-2007, 11:03 AM

Unfortunatley I think Honda America needs to change the guard like their GP counterparts. I dig Duhamel and really dig Jake (unless my wife is around as I think he's on "her list") but I do not see anything changing in superbike this year in AMA.

Mat may make a final run at Spies and Spies just has it all going for him right now. I cant even begin to guess how many seasons Mat has left in him but I think he's probably the most physicallt fit and mentally tough racer in the AMA right now. I look for Hayden to be fast on the Kawa and a pair of R1's to keep it worth watching but with no Ducs and Honda gimping like they have..... I just dont know.

BDAZ hit on one thing that should bind us all. The whole thing with Checker and his injury and how the riders from all over chipped into help him and when it happens local the same thing goes on and we step up. Everybody hates us and no one cares about us as riders but us and it's nice to know the racers we watch care too. I'd like to think Pridemore (since I been to his school a couple of times) or someone like that would at least send da wife an email saying "Sorry bout that" if I bought it.

BDAZXX · 01-19-2007, 11:53 AM

AMA players will change somewhat within the next 2-3 yrs. Theres alot of up and comers that will be of age to ride professional and are suuuuuuper fast kids. The old timers will be around for another 3-5 yrs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunedain

I'd like to think Pridemore (since I been to his school a couple of times) or someone like that would at least send da wife an email saying "Sorry bout that" if I bought it.

I'm absolutely sure Jason would if he heard about it . Hes a great guy that truely cares about our sport. I've done several of his schools as well and talking one on one with the guy, is just like talking to your best riding buddy. Super down to earth and an honestly nice guy.

I think JZ is on the hit parade of most women that have seen him.

Spies will be in MGP in 1-2 yrs and IF he can back up his title. His options will be preatty big across the pond.

dunedain · 01-22-2007, 1:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BDAZXX

Spies will be in MGP in 1-2 yrs and IF he can back up his title. His options will be preatty big across the pond.

Man that would be cool considering I watched him race as youngin in the CMRA. Maybe he can replace Hopkins (I really hate to say that but......)

Hopkins is doin the normal Sepang Testing show all your cards and the rest of them sandbagging like they do! He does so great for like 2-3 laps but cant do fitty miles WFO on the GP bike.