From a press release issued by Mat Mladin Motorsports:

Friday, 4 July 2003

MLADIN EXTENDS SUZUKI SUPERBIKE CONTRACT TO 2005

Australia’s Mat Mladin wishes to announce that he has extended his current contract and will continue to compete in the American AMA Superbike Championship with Yoshimura Suzuki for a further two seasons – 2004 and 2005.

The agreement comes as 31-year-old Mladin challenges for an unprecedented fourth American AMA Superbike title. He took his Yoshimura Suzuki to three consecutive titles in 1999, 2000 & 2001 and became only the third rider to win for Suzuki in the 28-year history of the American Superbike Championship.

“I really look forward to the next couple of years,” commented Mladin. “I have had a lot of success with TEAM YOSHIMURA SUZUKI and look forward to more in the future. We are in the middle of trying to win championship number four, and have to focus on that completely. There have been a few hurdles thrown our way this year but I know Suzuki are doing their best to get everything sorted out for the remainder of the season. One positive to take out of the first half of the season is that I can’t believe we are only a few points out of the lead.

“My success in the past in the U.S. has kept me here. I enjoy living in the States and have a lot of fans over here. I most certainly do not believe you have to be world champion to be successful. I have a good shot at winning more races and championships and winning keeps me excited and motivated.”

Mladin made his American AMA Superbike Championship debut in 1996 with Yoshimura Suzuki and has formed a unique and very successful bond with the team and with Suzuki that continues through to today. With the exception of the 1997 season, Mladin has raced each season with Yoshimura Suzuki with the partnership now extended for a further two years.

Currently in his eighth season racing in America, Mladin has become one of the all-time favourites of the sport. His determination and desire to work closely with his team to develop race and championship winning machinery has netted him not only three AMA Superbike titles, but also sees him as the all time pole position winner of the class with a total of 29 and currently lies tied for second with the all time race win record after amassing 20 race victories.

In 2003, Mladin has again been in dominating form having won six of the year’s opening eleven races and securing pole position on four separate occasions aboard his Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000. With seven races remaining in this year’s championship, Mladin currently lays second on the point’s table, just three shy of the lead.

Mladin continues his current campaign with Yoshimura Suzuki in a week’s time when they head to Laguna Seca Raceway, Monterey, California where he will combine his regular duties with the AMA Superbike Championship with a ‘wild card’ entry in the two-race World Superbike Championship event that takes place over the same weekend.


Racing Achievements

1990 – Began racing in the Australian 250cc Production championship (Suzuki RGV 250)

1991 – Won the Australian 250cc Production Championship (Suzuki RGV 250)

1992 – Won the Australian Superbike Championship (Kawasaki ZX-R750)

1993 – World 500cc Grand Prix Championship (Cagiva 500)

1994 – 3rd Australian Superbike Championship (Kawasaki ZX-R750)

1995 – 2nd, Australian Superbike Championship (Kawasaki ZX-R750)

1996 – 4th, AMA US Superbike Championship (Team Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R750)

1997 – 3rd, AMA US Superbike Championship (Fast By Ferracci Ducati 955)

1998 – 3rd, AMA US Superbike Championship (Team Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R750)

1999 – Won the AMA US Superbike Championship (Team Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R750)

2000 – Won the AMA US Superbike Championship (Team Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R750), won Daytona 200 by Arai (First Australian to do so), voted 2000 AMA Pro Racing Athlete of the Year, by his peers

2001 – Won the AMA US Superbike Championship (Team Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R750), won four races (Daytona 200 by Arai, Road Atlanta, Road America, Mid-Ohio), set new pole position records; 8 consecutive and a total of 9 for the season 2002, 7th AMA US Superbike Championship (Blimpie Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R750)

AMA Career Superbike Race Wins – 20 (Equal second on all time AMA Superbike win list)

AMA Career Superbike Pole Positions – 29 (All time AMA Superbike record)

2003 AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship (points after 11 of 18 rounds)
1. E Bostrom (321); 2. M Mladin (318); 3. A Yates (313); 4. K Roberts (301); 5. b Bostrom (293); 6. M DuHamel (278); 7. S Higbee (229); 8. J Pridmore (225); 9. L Pegram (211); 10. V Haskovec (180)