Mladin On Brainerd

Mladin On Brainerd

© 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

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From a press release issued by Mat Mladin’s publicist:

2003 AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship
Round 11 – Brainerd International Raceway, Minnesota, USA
Event Preview

MLADIN CHASES MAIDEN VICTORY AT BRAINERD

Brainerd, Minnesota, USA (Tuesday, 24 June) – Yoshimura Suzuki’s Mat Mladin arrives at Minnesota’s Brainerd International Raceway, host of round 11 of the 2003 AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship holding down second place in the championship, just one point shy of Kawasaki’s Eric Bostrom.

The season has been a battle of wills for the Australian. He has won six of the ten races held this season, but has had his consistency affected by tyre related problems. With just seven races remaining for the season, Mladin will be digging deep to obtain the results that he needs to regain the championship lead.

Brainerd is one of Mladin’s favourite circuits on the American race calendar and always looks forward to the cross-country trip.

“Along with Road America, Brainerd is a place that I look forward to,” said Mladin. “I like the countryside around here where you can get out and do a few different outdoor activities. I also like the circuit itself. It’s a place that we’ve done well at in the past, but are yet to crack it for a win, hopefully we can change that this weekend.”

While the three-times AMA Superbike champion does like the circuit and is the existing Superbike lap record holder around the 4.828km (3.00miles) complex, he has never won there. He has been runner-up on three occasions, but his last two visits saw him leave empty handed after suffering a first lap crash in 2001 and engine problems last year. With the new Suzuki GSX-R1000 at his disposal this year, Mladin will be aiming at a return to the winner’s podium this weekend. Further incentive for Mladin to aim for the top step on the podium is that Suzuki have never won at Brainerd in the 20-year history of the event.

“We need to get back to winning. It was good to get the win at the first race at Road Atlanta, but we made a wrong tyre choice for the second race and paid the price. Tyres have definitely been the most crucial factor for us this year. We have been working closely with Dunlop, so hopefully we can get a tyre from them that will suit the needs of the Suzuki.”

Preparations for this Sunday’s 21-lap Superbike national get underway with practice and qualifying sessions commencing on Friday and continuing through Saturday.



BRAINERD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY – FAST FACTS

Circuit length: 4.828km (3.00miles)
2002 Pole position: Eric Bostrom (Team Kawasaki ZX-7RR) 1:36.421

2002 Results:
1. Nicky Hayden (American Honda RC51)
2. Eric Bostrom (Team Kawasaki ZX-7RR)
3. Doug Chandler (HMC Ducati 998RS)
Lap Record: Mat Mladin (Team Yoshimura Suzuki) 1:35.320 (2001)

2003 AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship (points after 10 of 18
rounds)
1. E Bostrom (294); 2. M Mladin (293); 3. A Yates (276); 4. B Bostrom (274); 5. K Roberts (272); 6. M DuHamel (246); 7. L Pegram (211); 8. S Higbee (207); 9. J Pridmore (200); 10. V Haskovec (159).


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