Image: Supplied.

Queenslander Kaleb Barham has received major backing from former multiple American and Australian Superbike champion Mat Mladin for the 2018 MX Nationals, set to line-up in MX2 this season and once again aboard Husqvarna machinery.

Mladin Racing has entered the Australian Supersport Championship with Suzuki-mounted young gun Max Croker this year, with Mladin now extending his support of youthful local talent to Barham in motocross, where Mladin began his career prior to switching to road racing.

“It is with great pleasure that I announce that Mladin Racing will support Kaleb Barham in this year’s Australian MX2 championship,” Mladin announced. “It has been important to me to get back involved in racing in a way that makes me happy and at the same time offering my support and experience to a couple of young guys.

“The road was an obvious place for me to help out and have had great season so far with Max Croker. Many people don’t know a lot of my dirt bike background, but it is the early years on the dirt that set me up for the success I had in road racing. I look forward to helping young Kaleb in whichever way benefits him the most. I also look forward to being at many of the motocross rounds this year with himself and his parents Clint and Donna.”

Barham was forced to miss Newry’s opening round of the MX Nationals after breaking his collarbone in the lead-up. He’s undergone a successful surgery since and is schedule to debut with Mladin Racing at Appin, New South Wales, on 29 April.

“I would like to say a huge thank you to Mat Mladin and Mladin Racing, who for 2018 has decided to give back to the sport that he achieved so much and which has given him so much in return,” commented Barham. “It is unreal to have the help of Mat and his many years of experience, both on and off the track, in the racing world.

“To be one of two riders chosen to receive Mat’s help it has given me a real confidence boost for the 2018 season. The team behind me, along with the help and mentoring of Mat, has made me even more excited about the coming year.”

Seven-time AMA Superbike champion Mladin is recognised as one of Australian road racing’s most credentialled exports, spending a full season in grand prix racing during 1993, but ultimately going on to forge a career in the US between 1996 through 2009 when he retired with the number one plate. Just recently he was inducted into the prestigious Australian Motor Sport Hall of Fame.