Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.


Bidding has reached $1225 on the one-of-a-kind AGV helmet worn by three-time AMA Superbike Champion Mat Mladin in the final round of the 2001 AMA Chevy Trucks Superbike race season, at Virginia International Raceway September 30.

Bidding on the helmet has turned into a four-way battle between Marcus McBain, John Ross, CMRA5 and new bidder danoe3.

A native of Australia and one of the most fearsome competitors on the track, Mladin was so moved by the terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C. on September 11, 2001 that he wore this helmet “in respect and remembrance” of the victims.



“I couldn’t believe it, what happened that day,” Mladin told reporters at the Virginia race. “It happened in America, but it happened to the whole world. It really put things into perspective for me.”

Mladin has generously donated the helmet, maybe the first and only piece of Mladin racing memorabilia ever available, to be auctioned off with the proceeds, minus the cost of the eBay service, going to the Roadracing World Air Fence Fund. The Roadracing World Air Fence Fund was established to raise money to purchase and deploy Air Fence and Air Module soft barriers to protect crashed riders from hitting walls and other hard objects at racetracks. Air Fence is a trademark of Airfence Safety Systems.

“The Air Fence Fund is one that I do support even though I believe that it should be an area that the AMA should show responsibility in obtaining and not having to leave it to individuals to pursue. I congratulate John (Ulrich, founder of the Roadracing World Air Fence Fund) with his initiative to get the fund going and hope that the money raised from the auction of my helmet will help the cause.”

The all-black, AGV helmet features a medium tint face shield with provisions for tear-offs, American flag decals on three sides and Mladin’s autograph in white paint on the back. The helmet is size Medium and still smells brand new because it was worn only once by Mladin. The helmet also comes with two helmet bags.

With Mladin re-writing the AMA Superbike record books every race weekend, this helmet may continue to gain value over time.

You can go to the auction through the following link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1053043393