Chad Reed to run new series -ozzy go- thesundaymail.com.au

Supercross millionaire Chad Reed will return from the US
next year to fund, run and contest a new Australasian Series.

Australia's fifth-highest-earning sportsman has formed a
partnership with Crusty Demons motorcycle stunt show
promoter and Uncle Tobys Iron Man Super Series founder Mike
Porra to run the series over the next five years and compete in it
for at least three years.

"For a long time I've been wanting to lift the profile of supercross
in this country and play a role in it. I want to put supercross back
on the map," the Yamaha rider said yesterday.

"I'll be making the big decisions and putting my name to it."

He will also invest his own money in the venture, although he
would not disclose how much it would cost.

"Everything is a risk. Walking across the street is a risk, but Mike
has a great track record," he said.

Reed, 25, of Kurri Kurri in the Hunter Valley, is a two-time
Australian supercross champion, won the world title in 2003
and the US title in 2004 and is this year's runner-up in the
US and world titles.

While the company is yet to announce venues and dates, the
2008 series will start about August and consist of night events
on man-made tracks in six stadium venues in Australian capital
cities and regional centres, including at least one in
Queensland.

Within three years, Reed said they expected the series to
expand to 10 rounds, with events in New Zealand and possibly
Japan, attracting riders from the US and Europe, with national
and possibly international television coverage.

"TV coverage is in the works right now for a network like 7 or 10,"
Reed said.

"Supercross has been kind of run down here and it needs to be
changed up a bit.

"Supercross is what I love most and what I've made a career out
of. Motocross is cool and more grass roots, but supercross is
more action-packed."

Reed last week was a surprise entrant in the NSW round of the
national motocross competition winning both motos against title
leader Daniel Reardon (Kawasaki) of Brisbane.

"There is so much talent in Australia at the moment," Reed said.

"Right now it's looking like he's (Reardon) the guy who's the
best."

Motorcycling Australia CEO David White said they had approved
the rights for the as-yet-unnamed Reed/Porra company to run
the national supercross championships.

"To have a world champion who is still competing on the world
stage, actively participate in the running and promotion of a
sport, is a huge coup for this country and not something we
have ever seen before," White said.

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