Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail

Mladin’s comments about the playing of, or lack thereof, of Australia’s National Anthem seemed to bring into focus more AMA inconsistencies in how they run their game. I was there in 1994 at the L.A. Superbike race in Pomona, California. I was shocked when the Canadian National Anthem was played during the opening ceremonies on Saturday…before our very own Anthem played. I couldn’t believe my ears. The performance was repeated on Sunday. Ironically, the front runner at the time, and winner of the Superbike race on Sunday, was an Australian, Troy Corser, on a Ducati.

Craig Erion
Anaheim, California



FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail

As an Australian who’s been living in the U.S. for ten years, I would like to apologize for my countryman’s behaviour. I find it appalling that he would not stand for the national anthem of the country he has been living in for years. The U.S. and in particular AMA racing has afforded him a very comfortable and finacially rewarding lifestyle. To sit on his ass during the anthem shows more disrespect, on his part, towards this country than any amount of respect that he is lacking form the AMA or any of its riders.

I am normally sympathetic to a lot of his complaining to the AMA as I feel he has a lot of valid points, but this one has gone too far. Mat, if you were that pissed off about not hearing our country’s anthem, then maybe you should have voiced your concern to the powers that be, instead of sitting there sulking about it and making a complete ass of yourself!

Frank Nolan
Los Angeles, California



FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail

OK, I’ve had a chance to ponder Mat Mladin’s comments regarding the AMA not showing him or his country of birth due respect by playing his national anthem. And I’ve also had a chance to ponder the follow-up comments from visitors to this site. I’d like to offer my own pointedly dissenting opinion to Mr. 66.

What the hell is Mat Mladin talking about? The AMA doesn’t play national anthems for any of the riders! At the beginning of the featured event, yes, but not on the podium. That’s an FIM deal.

If the AMA played the Star Spangled Banner on the podium to honor a U.S.-born race-winner’s home country then, yes, they should play the national anthems for non-U.S.-born race winners, as well. But they don’t. So, the point is moot.

This is the AMA, not the FIM. AMA Pro Racing is a National series, not an international one like World Superbike or MotoGP.

Mat Mladin puts way, WAY too much effort into creating controversies.

We get it, Mat. You hate America. You hate American tracks. You hate Americans. We figured that out during your first year of racing in America.

Oh wait, there IS one thing that’s American that you don’t hate. American money. Or is that more of a love-hate thing?

Sean Bice
Columbus, Ohio



FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail

Mr. Stewart could not have said it any better. Personally I find the notion that Mr. Mladin was slighted intentionally insulting, how ridiculous.

Echoing Mr. Stewart’s statement, the “Star Spangled Banner” is played at sporting and entertainment events out of tradition more than anything else. The tradition dates back before the 1920s when it was first believed to be played at the 1918 World Series, almost twelve years before it was officially declared the National Anthem.

I have served overseas and never been offended by not hearing the “Star Spangled Banner” at special events hosted by those nations I visited, even though some of those events hosted American groups, sporting and entertainment alike.

I think Mat Mladin is one exceptionally talented rider and road racing in America is the better for his presence as well all the other riders of non-American origin. I think he is a little off base in his comments, though, and perhaps doesn’t understand the meaning and the why behind some of our most valued traditions. That being said, I personally am not offended by his reaction nor do I expect him to show the due respect that I believe our Flag, National Anthem and Country deserve as they are displayed at these events. They are however AMERICAN Motorcycle Association sponsored events and that’s just fine with me, one national anthem is enough, let’s keep it that way.

Rube L. Jennings III
Ridgecrest, California



FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail

These comments were in response to him getting an award, correct? Whatever happened to gracious acceptance and gratitude? This was neither the time nor the place to air his petty views regarding national anthems. He should have done so in a separate press release at a better selected time or addressed it with the governing body privately.

I’ve had enough of these “athletes” using every little event as some kind of platform to air their petty grievances. In the real world nobody cares. Don’t ride at Daytona, it won’t affect my day one bit.

Between Duhamel’s rock-throwing incident and Mladin’s whining, I have decided to take a year off of attending motorsport events. How about that? I’ll stage my own protest by keeping my money to myself.

Ken Viscardi
Sacramento, California



FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail

Has anyone else noticed that the article written by Bruce Wilkins only really mentions the National Anthem “thing” in passing? In fact, he even offers up several distinct defenses for Mladin in his article and makes it clear that he respects and supports Mladin’s decision in this matter.

Why then did Mladin hit out on this point? And why is everyone so up in arms about it? What about Mr. Wilkins’ point that Mladin has stumbled in his rise to a series higher than that of AMA Superbike? Seems like that would raise more hairs on Mat’s neck than anything else.

Just seems like everyone is expressing (arguing for) the same opinion about the same thing, when it doesn’t even really warrant being expressed. There are far more interesting things we could all be talking about besides this…

Greg Sampson
Lewisville, Texas



FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail

For the past 2 years during the LRRS/CCS club races in Loudon, NH, (NHIS) the Canadian and American National anthems have often been sung by a pretty young lady with an amazing vocal range. (Kind of a requirement to singing our anthem well, if you ask me.)

It was a tradition apparently started many years back when there was an active CAN-AM series, done to respect the riders who were coming south to race. When I was a rookie 7 years ago, the singing of ANY anthem at the races was kind of hit-or-miss … maybe once a year. After 9/11, however, our national anthem has been sung for pretty much every event.

I’ve stood in when the other girl has been unavailable, and occasionally other racers or crewmembers request permission to sing. It brings a interesting bit of variety to the weekend … and, inevitably, some wonderfully, err, human comments about comparative vocal abilities. (One man’s Pavarotti is another’s Public Enemy, it seems.)

Disregarding the catty chatter, it’s more interesting how people who are fearless enough to get out on a racetrack — with all its inherent dangers — are terrified at the prospect of singing publicly. Trying to get others to even sing as a quartet has been like pulling teeth.

Still, whether I’m singing or listening, that brief period at the track is one of my most favorite: The announcer telling everyone to turn towards the hill where the flagpoles are, mechanics putting down their tools, groggy racers stepping out of their vans to stand and pay their respects, … the hush … and then the song …

It is a crystalline, precious moment.

In the end there’s always a cheer, and the sound of clapping rising up over the paddock. Then the mechanics pick up their tools, the sleepy racers climb back into their vans to finish their naps, and the announcer calls the first race.

You are missing out if your club doesn’t have this tradition.

B.J. Worsham
LRRS #31
Old Westbury, New York