Mladin out at HPT even as Track makes last minute changes

[Burt Munro]

Mat Mladin won't race at HPT this weekend. 

This happening as the Track continued to move walls Thursday evening to open up the Alpha runoff area.

http://roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=37533

[r1owner]

Hmmm.... funny how CCS riders can complain about it but nothing happens.  Until..... 

[Super Dave]

Hmmm.... funny how CCS riders can complain about it but nothing happens.  Until..... 

Still didn't fix the real issues that have been known for years.  Hacking has left also, so the rumor goes.

[Jeff]

I'm just glad to see someone, especially someone with as much on the line as he has, to stand up and say "it's not worth it"...  Placing his LIFE above points, money, etc...

[r1owner]

Still didn't fix the real issues that have been known for years.  Hacking has left also, so the rumor goes.

I hear ya.  I remember sitting in (I'm pretty sure it was my first race weekend --- Gateway years ago) and someone (I think it was you) saying they should move the haybales/airfence outta the chicane onto the front straight down towards turn 1 in the riders meeting....nothing was done, and sure enough someone slid right into the wall just past the end of the "protection" towards turn 1.... :(

[Super Dave]

I hear ya.  I remember sitting in (I'm pretty sure it was my first race weekend --- Gateway years ago) and someone (I think it was you) saying they should move the haybales/airfence outta the chicane onto the front straight down towards turn 1 in the riders meeting....nothing was done, and sure enough someone slid right into the wall just past the end of the "protection" towards turn 1.... :(

Yeah, that collected one of the Wasco brothers that weekend?  Unfortunately, if you're around long enough, you witness things.

Mid-Ohio always had a problem with the last corner.  I watched Larry Schwartzbach get killed there in 1992.  Gordy can talk about his dear son too and the issue at Road Atlanta.  He's missed as are all the racers that have passed while on track.

[Garywc]

and the AMA dont care that mat isnt going to race

[Noidly1]

Next thing you'll hear is that they(Pro's) want the dragstrip wall removed after T14...

[Tdub]

Next thing you'll hear is that they(Pro's) want the dragstrip wall removed after T14...

So, are you saying that Mladin's claims are unfounded?

[Tdub]

and the AMA dont care that mat isnt going to race

DMG...DMG...DMG. But I understand your point! Tdub

[Noidly1]

So, are you saying that Mladin's claims are unfounded?

Your thought, not mine.
I'm basicly saying that, HPT is what it is. Yes it can use some tweeking, Just like any other track.
It was designed for drag racing first, the road coarse came later.
They are probably used to closed coarse only tracks and may not like multi-purpose facilities that we are used to.

Racing is inherintly risky, Duh... As racers, we either accept the risks or we don't race.
By in large, The successful session per-capita > insident ratio at HPT, like most tracks, is pretty high.

So, All I can say to Mat is...  Chick Chick C H I C k E N  

[tug296]

I remember when Foggarty sniveled about Daytona, it's a scary place.

I raced a Florida Grand Prix Riders endurance race in Hollywood Florida in the 80's.
It was a drag strip with road course on the return road and through the parking lot, worst make do track ever, dodging holes and rises in the aspalt.
I said I wasn't going race it, but was 3rd. in points and did it without incident, just turned it down a notch and collected points.

I can certainly understand pulling out if you think it's unsafe, funny how Mladin can't just pull out without another jab at the AMA and DMG.