Oakdale motor bike rider Mat Mladin has blitzed the Americans for the last three years in a game they consider as their own.
Mladin has returned home from the United States after conquering the AMMA American Superbike championship, which is regarded as the toughest national tournament in the world.
“The Americans were not happy but that’s racing and I have a right to be there,” he said.
“You always get your fans and people who don’t think much of you but it’s all motivating and keeps me going.
“There is the patriotic American who wants to see their own win but unfortunately that hasn’t happened and hopefully it won’t for a while.
“It’s funny because when the American 500 riders came here years ago they were accepted in the country as if they were from here.
“That’s the one thing I find with the Australian crowd they accept somebody putting on a show where as to some Americans the show you put on doesn’t count.
“They prefer to see you beat and not the show you put on.”
Mladin will be in Australia until January next year before he returns to America to undertake pre-season testing in preparation for his 2002 title.
The 2001 season also proved to be a record breaking year for the 29-year-old who set an all time AMA pole position winning streak of eight consecutive pole positions and a total of nine out of ten for the year.
Winning three consecutive championships puts Mladin as only the third rider to do so in the history of the competition.
“This would have to be my highlight as not many sporting personalities can win something three times.”
Mladin, 29, interest in motor bike racing stems right back when he was only four-years-old.
“I had my first race when I was six and won my first Australian title three years later,” he said
“My racing became serous instantly, other children were playing soccer and I was racing bikes, that’s just the way it was.”
He moved to America six years ago where he is based for most of the year.
“I moved over there because compared to the States, Australia had a smaller market,” he said.
“More money can be earned by racing over there.
“Australia has proved itself to be a great grounding for talent but the money is not there
Advice Mladin would give to up-and-comers would be to definitely give the sport a go.
“Many people say it’s a dangerous sport but if we are talking statistics, I am sure there are more dangerous things children are doing than motor bike racing,” he said.
“It’s a great discipline children can learn. With the skills of the throttle and the clutch they can put this coordination to other sports.”
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