Motorsport: Supercross showcases Aussie star

Chad Reed is the most successful supercross rider to ever come out of Australasia. Photo / Getty Images

Not content with hosting the only New Zealand round of the Australian V8 Supercar championship, Hamilton has now stolen another march on the rest of the country and will host the biggest supercross meeting ever held in New Zealand.

Australia's best rider will compete against the best Kiwis in the penultimate round of the Australian Monster Energy Super X championship.

Fans turning up tonight at the man-made supercross track inside Waikato Stadium will see some fast and furious racing and also get a chance to see defending Super X and double world supercross champion Chad Reed battle it out with series leader Jay Marmont.

Australian-born Reed is the most successful supercross rider to ever come out of Australasia and has not raced in New Zealand for many years.

"It's been a long time since I raced in New Zealand and I think the last time I was here was early 2000 or late 1999," said Reed. "In fact I haven't been back since I left Australia to go racing internationally."

People Downunder do not realise how much a star the AMA/World Supercross and AMA Motocross champion is in the United States, where huge crowds turn up every race weekend to watch Reed, Ricky Carmichael and James Stewart battle it out.

It is not just the stadium supercross racing that Reed is very good at.

In his first foray overseas he hit Europe and in his first season was runner-up in the FIM World 250cc motocross championships in 2001.

"I always wanted to go to the US so I took the opportunity to showcase my stuff and when the opportunity arose to go to the States and race supercross I grabbed it," said Reed.

There are not many Antipodeans who can cross the Pacific and take on the Yanks at their own game with great success. But Reed, and fellow-Aussie Marcos Ambrose in Nascar, have proved if you have the talent, the drive and you are not afraid of anyone, it is possible to climb to the top of the pile.

"You've just got to look at everyone as equals," said Reed. "They're not better than us, they're just normal people with the same amount of talent and you've just got to take it to them and not be afraid.

"Learn from them and be better. And always dream big."

Reed has had a rocky start to the Australian Supercross championship, but has been growing in speed and confidence at every round and will be looking to put in another solid performance in Hamilton to regain the series lead before the series finale in Brisbane.

He is just one point behind series leader Marmont and expects a close tussle on the night.

"The main difference in the riding styles is that it's just so much more intense in the States," said Reed. "It's not so much for me here about the winning but getting seat time on a new bike. But it'll be cool to win."

The Hamilton track has been created by renowned US track designer Jason Baker and he has been in Hamilton to oversee the building. "I'll be relatively comfortable on the track as most of them state-to-state and country-to-country are designed by the same people. We'll have to deal with a different dirt combination but mainly everything will be pretty much be consistent with the rest of the series," said Reed.

Gates open at 4pm today and the main event starts at 6.30pm and finishes at 9.30pm. Tickets are still available at selected outlets and at the gate on race day.

REED CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2009 AMA Motocross Champion, 2nd, AMA/World Supercross.
2008 AMA/World Supercross Champion, Super X Pro Open Champion.
2007 2nd, AMA Supercross and King of Bercy Supercross (Paris).
2006 3rd, AMA Supercross.
2004 AMA Supercross Champion.
2003 World Supercross Champion, 2nd, AMA Supercross, 3rd, AMA 250cc Motocross.
2002 AMA East Coast Supercross Champion, 3rd, AMA 125cc Motocross.
2001 2nd, 250cc World Motocross.
2000 Australian Supercross Champion.
1999 Australian Supercross Champion.