Chad Reed to ride Honda CRF450R in Australian SX
Multiple World Supercross and 2009 AMA Motocross Champion Chad Reed has announced his decision to ride a Honda CRF450R in the coming Newcastle round of the Australian Supercross Championships kicking off this weekend.
Reed’s decision on which bike to ride for the series was left open after his most recent contract finished, with the 28 year old opting to unveil the TeamVodafone branded Honda at his home track.
Honda Australia will be backing Reed’s championship crusade in Australia with technical support courtesy of well known technician and Honda training guru Philip ‘Pip’ Harrison.
“It’s all just come together recently, so I’ll be going up to Newcastle straight away to build a bike for Chad, run a quick test session and then go racing.”
“I’m thrilled to be a part of this new team and am looking forward to getting back into the thick of racing for this series.”
After having time off due to illness this year, Reed will be looking forward to adding another title to his back to back Super X titles in his home country.
The 2010 Super X season gets underway at Newcastle this weekend, before visiting Canberra, Launceston, Auckland, Dunedin, Sydney and Brisbane for the final round.
— Team Vodafone livery unveiled
Just days after making history with their 1-2 finish at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 TeamVodafone has introduced the newest member of their outfit Multiple World Supercross and Super X Champion, Newcastle’s Chad Reed.
The nation’s leading dirt bike export has dominated the Supercross and more recently, outdoor motocross scene in the United States for close to a decade, as well as winning back-to-back Super X titles in Australia.
A long-time supporter of the team, Reed joined Bathurst victor Mark Skaife at Darling Harbour today to pull the covers off the 450cc race bike which draws heavily on the unique chrome and rocket red livery of the TeamVodafone V8 Supercars.
Reed’s race machine is sure to be a head-turner as he lines up at the start gates for the opening round of Super X, taking place at Newcastle’s Energy Australia Stadium this Saturday.
“I am really excited to be racing under the TeamVodafone banner for this weekend’s event,” said Reed, 28. “I have had enjoyed a strong relationship with the team for the past four years and follow their progress closely through the telecast in the US and on the internet.”
He added: “To be running the bike in this livery is something new and exciting for the sport and it is great to be able to launch it in time for my home race in Newcastle. It is really cool to be coming out with something new that no one has seen before and to have personally played a role in its design.”
A motorsport devotee, Reed has piloted a TeamVodafone V8 Supercar in the past and is looking forward to further tests with the championship winning Brisbane-based operation.
“It has been two years since I drove a TeamVodafone V8 Supercar, the cars have come a long way and the team has switched from Ford to Holden,” said Reed.
“The experience was a rush. I learnt a lot with every lap and look forward to any chance I may get to test the new Commodores.”
Sharing a passion for two wheels as well as four, TeamVodafone Principal Roland Dane was excited to welcome the World Champion to the team.
“Chad is one of Australia’s greatest sporting stars and his profile and achievements are held in high regard across the world,” said Dane.
“We’re pleased to have him on board as a member of TeamVodafone and are thrilled that he has decided to run a livery that reflects our race cars.
“In the past he has shown he is more than capable on four wheels as well as two, and we look forward to providing him with further testing opportunities aboard our Holden Commodore.”
