Mladin's comments

[Honclfibr]

I've always like Mladin. I mean come on, whatever you think of the guy you can agree he's one of the most highly skilled motorcycle racers in the world. And his life would be a whole lot easier if he just played ball and went to sleep at night under a pile of millions of dollars.

But he doesn't. He goes to bat every day to fight for safer conditions for motorcyle racing. Fighting against the same people who are writing his very large paychecks. And he's making life harder for himself, when really he doesn't have to do that. To me, that shows real conviction and a love for the sport that extends beyond a fat paycheck, which he's still able to pull down because he's just that fucking good. So, hey, good for Mat I say. I'd shake his hand if I ever met the guy.

[SVRACER01]

I've always like Mladin. I mean come on, whatever you think of the guy you can agree he's one of the most highly skilled motorcycle racers in the AMA. And his life would be a whole lot easier if he just played ball and went to sleep at night under a pile of millions of dollars.

But he doesn't. He goes to bat every day to fight for safer conditions for motorcyle racing. Fighting against the same people who are writing his very large paychecks. And he's making life harder for himself, when really he doesn't have to do that. To me, that shows real conviction and a love for the sport that extends beyond a fat paycheck, which he's still able to pull down because he's just that fucking good. So, hey, good for Mat I say. I'd shake his hand if I ever met the guy.

fixed

if Mladin were really "that good" he wouldnt still be here. hes a big fish in a small pond and his ego wont allow him to go to a higher playing field because he knows he will be at the back (maybe the middle) of the pack. hes cherry picking.....when he starts losing he will bump down to WERA and clean up again and start talking about how great he is...when he starts to suck at that...maybe we will see him at CCS races.

[Awesome]

I've always like Mladin. I mean come on, whatever you think of the guy you can agree he's one of the most highly skilled motorcycle racers in the world. And his life would be a whole lot easier if he just played ball and went to sleep at night under a pile of millions of dollars.

But he doesn't. He goes to bat every day to fight for safer conditions for motorcyle racing. Fighting against the same people who are writing his very large paychecks. And he's making life harder for himself, when really he doesn't have to do that. To me, that shows real conviction and a love for the sport that extends beyond a fat paycheck, which he's still able to pull down because he's just that fucking good. So, hey, good for Mat I say. I'd shake his hand if I ever met the guy.

What about bitching that rules are put in place to make the equipment field more level and allow for privateer racers to compete? And here, I can see both sides, I don't know quite enough about what the teams are using and no longer allowed to use that should be used as standards between supersport, superbike and motogp.

What do you think about a guy that crashes out of a race, then plays hurt until it's red flagged so he can run back to his garage, restart the race and no miss out on points? That's when I lost any bit of credit I may have given him before.

[waveman]

What about bitching that rules are put in place to make the equipment field more level and allow for privateer racers to compete? And here, I can see both sides, I don't know quite enough about what the teams are using and no longer allowed to use that should be used as standards between supersport, superbike and motogp.

What do you think about a guy that crashes out of a race, then plays hurt until it's red flagged so he can run back to his garage, restart the race and no miss out on points? That's when I lost any bit of credit I may have given him before.

good point

[Kurlon]

What do you think about a guy that crashes out of a race, then plays hurt until it's red flagged so he can run back to his garage, restart the race and no miss out on points?

You can do that?!

Let me just jot that down in my strategery notebook...

[Honclfibr]

I guess I remain the only member of the NESR Mat Mladin fan club.

[palanon]

I like M.M. He's a competitive prick that speaks his mind. Maybe it's because he's a throw back to my time...who knows.

Ben Spies results show what Matt would do. Probably due to the fact that M.M. is a prick, he may have done better.

The bottom line, M.M. is a multi millionaire with a family. Why should he take a pay cut to live in a camper traveling around the world. That's for the young guns.

Being a professional motorcycle road racer is a job, a paying job. Hard to argue that M.M. has failed in that regard.

I seriously doubt he'll race in DMG/AMA when his contract is done. He'll most likely retire or go play elsewhere. Maybe run a few Aus./Kiwi events for fun while he runs his business and plays with his family.

[butcher bergs]

I don't understand what his gripe is. It's the spec-bikes and spec-rules?

Personally I think it's cool to watch these riders rip on basically modded street machines any one of us could build.

Seems to me Mr Mladin is becoming increasingly snobbish with every lap.

[a13x]

I don't understand what his gripe is. It's the spec-bikes and spec-rules?

Seems to be his biggest gripe with the new rules.

Honestly thou I've been a fan of this sport since 1996 and went 6 or so races last year alone. I couldn't tell the difference between 2008 and 2009 bikes from the fence or standing 2' from one in the pits.

[palanon]

Well, as a racer, he's looking at going from a full on factory superbike to what he considers a mildly worked street bike. Something he feels is over 2 seconds a lap slower?

You repeatedly bring up safety issues and are basically told to " GO LAY DOWN "

You'd love to say "fuck this" and go home but, you can't. There's an entire army of people that would sue you into the stone age if you tried.

So, ride around on what you consider to be an EX 500, smile and thank your sponsors and wait for the end of the year and your contract.

His reaction to the podium girl taking off his team hat and putting on the Daytona cap pretty well summed it up.

[a13x]

Well, as a racer, he's looking at going from a full on factory superbike to what he considers a mildly worked street bike. Something he feels is over 2 seconds a lap slower?
.

Boofrigginhoo. It's not as bad as he makes it out to be. Most of the time is lost in the tires. The 2009 DMG bikes are putting out 190-195hp and hit 200mph on the banking.

[butcher bergs]

Seems to be his biggest gripe with the new rules.

Ohhhhhh, so now that the playing field is level, he wants to take his ball and go home?

weaksauce

How funny would that be for him to get smoked by one of the privateers? Betcha ego plays a part in all this.

Add 2 parts of insult to 1 part injury and stir briskly.

[GixerJockey]

I guess I remain the only member of the NESR Mat Mladin fan club.

Nope... There's two of us...