Reed ready for Super X opener on home soil
Australia’s Chad Reed has touched down in Perth ahead of this weekend’s opening round of Super X, keen to open his account with a win.
The event, to be held at the Perth Motorplex, will mark the start of Reed’s first full season of Aussie Supercross in eight years – he last raced to a dominant title victory in 2000 before setting his sights on the international stage.
Reed has played a major role in the inception of the new series, adding personal input to help inject a much-needed spark into the local sport.
After a lack-lustre run at last weekend’s Motocross of Nations in the United Kingdom, the 26-year-old is eager to return to the track and make his worldwide Supercross debut with Suzuki a successful one.
“It’s great to be back in Australia for Super X – we’ve been planning for almost 18 months and are just days away from it getting underway which is exciting,” said Reed.
“It’s been a hectic fortnight, we flew from the US after testing to contest the Motocross of Nations at Donington Park, which was a disappointing event for me,” he said.
“The bike was fantastic but I just couldn’t find my groove on the track and there’s no real margin for error with very little track time before racing.”
Reed’s input into Super X has extended to track design, and he said the plans for Perth layout looked reminiscent of the AMA-style he was used to.
“The track at Perth will be tough, that’s for sure. There’s never been anything like it at a Supercross in Australia, it will certainly be a good test of fitness and endurance.”
“This is a special event for me as it marks my first Supercross race with Suzuki on the new RMZ450; we’re well prepared and I’ll be doing everything I can to record a win in WA.”
Australia’s domestic talent will be out to make a name for themselves against the World Champ with Woodstock Honda rider Daniel Reardon keen to defend his Australian Supercross Title.
If you are keen to meet some of the riders that will go head to head with Chad & Dan before they do battle at Kwinana then head down to MotoXtreme Clothing, Shop 1, 1355 Albany Highway, Cannington (Opposite McDonalds Carousel) on Friday, October 3. Riders including Jay Marmont, Cheyne Boyd, Troy Carroll, Adam Monea and Jake Pengelly will be on hand to sign posters and merchandise at the store from 4-5pm.
The schedule for the seven round Australasian Supercross Championship (Super X) is as follows:
– October 4 – Perth Motorplex – 15,000 capacity
– October 18 – Adelaide Showgrounds – 15,000 capacity
– October 25 – Skilled Stadium Geelong – 20,000 capacity
– November 8 – Parramatta Stadium – 20,000 capacity
– November 15 – WIN Stadium Wollongong – 20,000 capacity
– November 22 – Dairy Farmers Stadium Townsville – 26,500 capacity
– November 29 – Brisbane QSAC – 50,000 capacity
Race Formats
As well as the standard 20 rider, 20 lap format, Super X will break the boundaries of regular competition by introducing four innovative race formats for the Open class finals to test riders and enthral fans – trackside or on live television.
Super X Super Sprint
Pace is at a premium in this hard-charging battle for a berth in the finals, the heats will separate contenders and pretenders.
• 4 heats of 10 riders, 1st place to the finals, 2nd-5th to the semi’s
• 2 semi finals of 8 riders, 1st-4th to the finals
• 12 riders will contest the final 5-lap event for event honours• All races over 5 laps
Super X Survival
It’s every rider for himself as five fall at a time, with only a limited time between each stoush. The night’s fastest five will square off in a 5-lap dash to the flag for event honours.
• 2 heats of 20 riders, 1st-10th in each heat to the finals
• 20 riders will become 15, then 10 and finally 5, with the slowest eliminated each time. Four separate races each over 5 laps
• The final 5 riders will do battle in a 5-lap sprint to event honours
• Riders will have a limited time to refocus between stages in this fast-paced format which will require strong endurance skills
Super X Man-on-Man
Finishing up front is the only way to move through the man-on-man format, with the full field reduced to a final of just 3 riders through an exciting elimination process.
• 2 heats of 20 riders, 1st-8th in each heat to format finals
• 8 heats of 2 riders on just one flying lap, winners progress to quarter finals, losers eliminated
• 4 quarter finals of 2 riders on just one flying lap, winners progress to semi finals, losers eliminated
• 2 semi finals of 2 riders on just one lap, winners progress to final, losers face-off in a last-chance battle for a place in the final
• 2 finalists and the last-chance winner do battle in a 3-way, 2 lap dash for event honours
Triple Challenge
The final 20 riders will face off in 3 separate 6 lap races where riders will gain round points depending on their finishing position in each of the 3 races. At the end of the 3 races the total points granted over all three races will be totalled to find the overall winner of the round.
Track Design
Renowned American track designer Mark Barnett will design and build AMA style tracks at each venue. Rated by the worlds leading riders as the best track designer and builder there is, Barnett currently designs training tracks both in the USA and Australia for World Supercross Champion Chad Reed.
Television Package
Dedicated and comprehensive coverage of Super X will help to raise the profile of riders, manufacturers and sponsors. The television schedule is as follows:
Fox Sports
2 hour season preview, 8:00 – 10:00pm Saturday
2.5 hour LIVE coverage of all 7 rounds, 8:00 – 10:30pm Saturday
2 hour season highlights package, 8:00 – 10:00pm Saturday
Fuel TV
All 9 two-hour programs will be televised on Fuel TV on a delayed basis the following day (Sunday Afternoon) and again on Fox Sports.
Network Ten
1 hour season preview, weekend daytime
1 hour highlights package for each of 7 rounds, weekend daytime
1 hour season highlights package, weekend daytime
Prize Money
There has never been more of an incentive to win than with the new Super X series, with a major increase in prize money for riders and some exciting performance-based rewards. Total prize money for the series is $210,000.
