2008 AMA Supercross Champion, Chad Reed, Joins Team Rockstar Makita Suzuki.
|
5,760 views |
press release
photos by Jake Klingensmith
Brea, CA (August 6, 2008) - American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC)
announced today that they have signed current AMA Supercross Champion,
Chad Reed, to join the Rockstar Makita Suzuki factory race team for 2009. Reed will
race the 2009 AMA Supercross series and other selected events in the United States
as well as compete in supercross events in his home country of Australia aboard his
Suzuki EFI RM-Z450.
“We have a great heritage in racing here at American Suzuki,” said Mel Harris of
ASMC. “Suzuki has been dominant in the road racing arena for several years and
with the introduction of the RM-Z450 and the help of Ricky Carmichael, Roger
DeCoster and our dedicated team, we’ve been able to elevate our position in
supercross and motocross to that championship level. The signing of Chad helps us
reinforce our position and goals for the future of Suzuki racing. We are very happy to
have Chad join our team.”
Chad Reed, 26, began racing professionally in the United States in 2002 and since
then he’s earned two AMA Supercross Championships (2004 & 2008), an AMA
125cc East Region Championship (2002) and won the 2004 US Open. Over the last
six years he has amassed a total of 42 AMA wins and 82 podiums.
“I’m extremely excited to be starting a new chapter in my career and to be working
with Roger DeCoster and Team Rockstar Makita Suzuki,” said Reed. “It will be a
whole new experience for me which I’m really looking forward to. I rode Suzukis for
a good part of my amateur career and have some great memories from then and
now I’m excited to be racing the new Suzuki EFI RM-Z450. I believe this bike and
my new team have great potential and I couldn’t be happier.”
“I am very excited to have been able to sign Chad Reed to Team Rockstar Makita
Suzuki,” said team manager, Roger DeCoster. “Our team has worked very hard to
get to the level we are at today and I’m glad we’ve been able to secure a rider with
such accomplishments and determination as Chad so that we may continue to be
top contenders. Our sponsors have been extremely supportive over the years and
I’m happy that we are able to provide them a top-level rider and team to support
him.”
Reed’s first race with Team Rockstar Makita Suzuki will most likely be the Rockstar
Energy Drink US Open at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on October 10th through 12th.
For more information on all of Suzuki’s race teams, please log on to www.teamsuzuki.com.
i’m glad to hear this i think reed needed this yellow out front next year for sure
This whole deal with Reed going to Suzuki just seems weird. He doesn’t look right standing in front of a Suzuki, I know one manufacturer isn’t really any different then any other, but it’s going to be weird seeing Chad running the yellow machine. With that being said I’m sure that yellow bike will be out front. Chad Reed is a true competitor.
yeah, but carmichael was the same way when he went from honda to suzuki. and it all worked out good for him.
yeah whatev, there is no hope for reed. look at stewart now… he has not lost a moto this year. He has no plans of slowing down either.
hey man theres been rumors that stwarts going to yamaha so hes gunna be getting used to a whole new bike too
i second that. and villopoto is racing big bikes next season
Reed’s 2 supercross championships were won when Ricky was out and Stewart was out. He can not win with Stewart there. Reed may not even be 2nd with Villapoto, Allessi there as well.
Team Yamaha knows this all too well ,why do you think Yamaha signed Stewart!
and that #1 plate looks siiiiick on the 450
to bad it will only carry #1, not win it for next year.
Oh let me guess from your screen name you like James Stewart right?
and the only reason he won last year was because James was ono the couch, so typical.
Yeh but mate chad crashed hard 2 at the end of the season and he still rode. Isnt there a saying like. ”to Finish first, first you must finish?!!!!!!!!” Obviously James wasnt good enough because he crashed and had 2 sit out.
i cant believe chad switch to suzuki. i just recently got the L&M San Manuel graphics for my bike and i run #103 (chads old #). oh well i liked the graphics and im not too big of a fan of him anyway. i heard bubba was taking over chads place at L&M Yamaha, so now well see what the yamaha can really do
Your a idoit, get you own number
Uh, aren’t all the numbers taken by someone in the AMA? Or do you know a number that no one has? Also, calling someone and idiot on the net is like calling on a tiger at the zoo. It doesn’t make you tough, instead it make ‘you’ the idiot.
yeah, well i got all the monster graphix on my kxf 250, and i run number one, because ryan villopoto is my favorite rider ever. and he’s the fastest guy on the planet.
THAT’S WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT!!! Keep stomping those tracks dude! (since ‘no one’ has the patten on any numbers)
well, i seriously didnt expect that……..but cool.
yes bubba is riding for L&M in 2009 and 2010, but the brand is still unknown, L&M isnt signed with yamaha, chad and nathan were. Kawasaki dropped bubba because he wanted too much money and they have RV coming up to the factory rig next year. Ferry will be sticking around for another two seasons or so, mostly to show ryan the ropes, although i doubt hell need much of that. So 2009 will bring some interesting changes to racing, look for #7 on a different color then green! and RV up on big bikes.
thats not going to be enough 2 win. reed needs to lose weight b4 he plans on another championship
He put on weight to handle the 450 better, your kind of stupid and probably FAT your self
LAME! . . I hate this abbreviated schedule crap, he knows hed be toast out there with #7, I bet even RV would waste him his first year on the big bikes, chad is a baby bottom line. He cant win unless james or ricky is hurt. I mean ya he is good, but not nearly good enough, but he is LUCKY!
EXACTLY! If Reed is so awesome, ride the Nationals. This supercross only plus the X-games is B.S. Reed and Suzuki don’t want to tangle with R.V. or Bubba outdoors, Reed would be rounding out the podium every race. MC was awesome at supercross too (King of Supercross) but really wasn’t a threat outdoors where it all began. That’s why RC is the GOAT, to him second place was first loser, at any event.
McGrath won the outdoor title in 1995 you bozo, but he really wasn’t a threat? what? And Reed beat Stewart at A1 this year before Bubba got hurt. he’ll definitely win some races next year, and the Suzuki looks good. Besides, nobody wants to see Bubba win every race, Chad is the only person who can keep him honest. Go Reedy!
Actually, Reed beat Stewart at A1 WHILE Bubba was hurt, not before.
Stewart had not healed from his Nats knee injury. It was the reason he sat on the bench for the remainder of the SX season, and all but handed Reed the red plate.
McGrath wasn’t a threat like RC was a threat outdoors. MC din’t go undefeated for two straight seasons. Just look at the numbers, MC was absolutely the best in stadiums but dropped off outside. RC was more well rounded. I still don’t think Reed has a prayer against Bubba or RV if they stay healthy. Suzuki went after the third best rider they could get.
dude what makes u think reed needs to lose weight?
i don’t care where reed ride. you could put him on a rocket bike, he’d still lose to stewart.
hey transworld, maybe you can make a little video of reed riding his new efi rmz450 and put the video on your site?
that would be cool dudes
y did he change????
He hated working with L&M so he quit them. Factory Yamaha offered him a deal but Chad said it was insulting, so he went looking for a better deal. Kawi already had all of their money booked for Villi (to the point where they didn’t even offer Stewart a new contract), Honda was already booked up financially with their riders, so guess who’s left? But there is a little drama there as well.
Roger DeCoster (Suzuki team manager) wrote up a deal for Chad to hire him and almost signed Chad right away, but Suzuki Corp. in Japan told DeCoster to not do it, so it was looking like Chad wasn’t going to have a bike at all for the 09 season (cause no one would sign him), but it looks like Chad got saved.
DeCoster must have really pushed to sign Chad for him to be on the RMZ now, otherwise Chad would be out this next season, or riding a stock bike with whatever do-dads that he could scrouge up.
Freaking awesome i say! Will be nice to see some new colors up front in SX!
i think mijito is the fat one
Bubba will crrrrush Reed
I think that is the sickest looking bike in moto x.
i herd a rumer that james stewart was goin to replace chads place at yamaha
Yes… James signed with Yamaha
With L&M actually.
Looks like you have a problem k-krazy. Can you afford a therapist? If not then welfare can appoint you one.
remember in the 125 days when stewart passed reed and then slowed down and let him by, then passed him again just for fun…
frick yeah!!!!!! at unadilla!
Hey Transworld,
I know it might be a little early, but how about a list of what riders will be switching teams and who will stay. When are rides contracts up. The inner working of a factory rider and sponser program. How long are contracts generally, What kind of $ could you get from sponsers. ECT
Thanks
dude reed will be good on the yellow bike im bettin that he will run up front with stewart most of the supercross series, i hope he does at least 6 outdoors on the suzuki he would runn with the #7.
I think him switching is pretty tight. Suzuki is my pick for fastest bike out there, that and kawi.
Umm, MC = 1995 250MX Champion, only missed the 1996 MX championship by a few points.
Awesome. I love Reed.
Sweet!
I want to sell my RMZ 450 Now… Reed is a panzy..
I would never let him pass me on the track!!!!!
I am a Reed fan and a Yamaha fan, so I have mixed emotions on this one. Great that he is going to a good program. Right now I see Suzuki and Kawasaki as having the best programs. I wonder what direction Yamaha is trying to go? It seems that year after year they produce great bikes but have a terrible program. Honda has one of the best programs but lacks top riders, (Millsaps and Short are ok, but they aren’t top riders like James, Reed, and RV), and they just don’t seem like they put together a blockbuster deal.
Reed will do great, especially if he gets some work with Ricky.
Let me switch gears here sorta speak, those of you that say Reed only wins because he is lucky don’t understand or appreciate, (or possible can’t comprehend), what is going on. Chad may not have the speed of James, but he is a better racer! Hear me out before you get your panties in a bunch. While Bubba is fast, he makes way to many mistakes and takes way too many dirt naps. While I admire his heart and determination, I don’t admire his style. Reed on the other hand rides a much more “controlled” race, makes smarter decisions, and keeps his body in one piece, putting himself in a position where he can win races. Can’t win it if you’re not in it….
I know there will be some out there who are grumbling about my take on this, so just answer one question, since moving up to the Motocross class, how many motos/season has James ruined/missed due to injury?
Back to the Yamaha program, I sure hope the figure out what they are doing and what they want to accomplish! Love the bikes and want to cheer for their team, but come on, get it together already. Without Speedy Reedy they are in needy of a superstar!!
Mmm I agree kinda, but james missed last outdoor season because he tweeked his knee because he put his foot down in a corner am I not right? (I really may be wrong) not really a huge “mistake” and missed supercross because of surgery on that same injury that never healed right. Yes james is way more aggressive than reed but I dont think reed is any smarter per say, I think he jsut doesnt give it 110% like james thats why when james wins he wins with authority! all or nothin, i respect that attitude over the conservative ill settle for 2nd only becuase it provides me the viewer with more action. If i was in their shoes im sure i would take the conservative route! cant spend the money you make if your not alive! and ill never be that good anyways so whatever huh!
I will bet you Burner gives him a run for the money
I think reed is the best on any color of bike
Supercross only…? Reed is a pretty boy…period. Gotten to where I look forward to the Outdoor Series to see who can really ride….Supercross is like NASCAR….same track…move the corners…basically, rearrange the obstacles…boring. OK…there are other reasons to do Supercross only…but, it just leaves this funny taste about a rider who doesn’t show up outside. I heard Bubba was considering stadiums only…let’s hope not. What’s next…chrome rims on stadium only bikes…?
Reed on a better bike and Bubba stepping down?? …one thing is for sure….this should tighten up the racing….
Quit wasting time saying one rider sucks and the other is awesome all of these guys are a 100x faster than any of you and whoever wins deserves to win period!!!
I’m not a huge Reed fan either but he is considered one of the top motocross riders as a result of his race wins and titles. That’s up there with Ricky,James and Mcgrath. How many people can say that? It’s interesting to see him go to Suzuki. Let’s be honest. If KTM offered James the right amount of money, he would go ride for them. Not like the bike brand really matters anyway. Especially in his case. It’s all about the Benjamin$. Suzuki was able to give reed what he wanted and that is why he is there. I think I heard that L&M was considering Honda as bike brand. It would be cool to see Stewart on a red bike. I believe both Dungey and RV will be moving up to the 450’s. Don’t forget K-Dub is still racing supercross too. Should all be good.
I agree that sometimes Chad seems like a real dick, but wether you like him or not he is one of the top guys in the world and could smoke anyone posting here. As long as everyone stays healthy over the winter break, next year should be exciting with all the team changes and some new blood in the 450 class. I can’t wait to see RV add some heat to the premier class. I think he may be as aggressive as Stewart. One thing is for sure, next season will have a different look to it and should breath a little fresh air into things. Now, if only Carmichael would come back for some select races that would really be cool! I don’t know about the rest of yall, but I can’t wait for next season it should be good.
I wish someone with the power would put a stop to the Supercross only deals. That kind of shit is gonna ruin outdoor motocross. I think Supercross is cool, but lets face it, it is pretty slow compared to outdoor racing.
I’m not a big Reed fan, to cocky, even with the fans. That’s not right. As a rider, he is fast, no doubt about it, he has earned his championships, no one gave him anything for free. James, well, I’m still waiting for him to mature as a rider, maybe one day… will he? and he is not unbeateble, RC, Reed, and Langston have beaten him, also Tedesco back on the 250F’s
I thought James would not “sell out” to another brand, heard him saying so long time ago in an interview, when RC moved to honda… people change, minds change, and wallets change too!!
i think he has a small case of diarrhea
Noone is claiming Reed is a squid or slow….or that they can smoke him whether he rides an RMZ or a YZF….open forums are for opinions…noone is forcing anyone to take down their Reedy posters….I don’t deny he is one of the fastest out there….I just still think if you are that GOOD and that FAST…then the real stage is outside…not in a stadium.
I feel the same way about McGrath as I do Reed….and if Stewart goes stadiums only…I will have that “taste” in my mouth about him. …I know, like everything else, this is a business…It’s about money. Suzuki, Yamaha…who really cares what brand they ride..?? Its about what the rider is about and how they want to be remembered…who knows maybe the RMZ will gives Reed the speed and/or confidence he needs outside and he will pull a Favre on us…I hope so.
Don’t get me wrong, Supercross has it’s place and serves it’s purpose. Personally, I think Supercross only deals blow! Whatever your opinion is….ask yourself one thing…Can a Supercross only rider ever be considered The GOAT…? What would Reed say…? Things that make you go , hmmmm.
You guys have got it all wrong. Reedy always wanted to race outdoors but his team sponsors didnt want him to because the money is indoors. Being from Australia myslef and knowing Reed he will go out and ride 40min motos for fun. Reed is a pioneer of the sport. He wil defend his title next year while setting up and competing in the Australian supercross championship, along with racing several AMA outdoor events! Cant say he isn’t doing anything!
The Australian series has been on the cards for a while and CHAD has been working hard the last few years to get it together. THis year is it’s first year and it is going to go off! Afew of your Americans are shipping over to compete aswell. We will see who comes off best!
WRONG! (at least part of it) No team ever didn’t want Chad to race the outdoors. He raced all the outdoor races in the 125’s, and was expected to race ALL of the AMA races when he moved up to the premier class. It was CHAD who fought and finally got a Supercross only deal. Yamaha Corp., the team managers, even his own mechanics (Alan Olson, etc.) wanted Chad to ride the Nationals, but finally Chad just said “I’m not doing it” and that was it. In fact that is thought to be the reason Alan Olson left Chad.
Also, there is money in the Nationals, just not as much as in Supercross. Any of us could live just fine on the money made in the National circuit (more than any of us are making now). The bottom line to Chad (or anyone) not racing the Nationals is that he screwed over all of the people that helped him get where he is. When he’s not racing the nationals his mechanic isn’t making any money, his team manager isn’t making any money, the sponsors can’t use him as much, etc., etc., etc….
Maybe Chad has enough money to sit back for half of the year, but a lot of people that helped him get there can’t, and when he puts them out of work for over half of the year, what do you think that does for team moral? Think about it.
In fact, last I heard Roger DeCoster was only going to sign Chad for half of the money that Mike Alessi is getting. DeCoster’s exact words “If he’s only going to race half of the year, then he should get only half of the money”… (Suzuki Corp. in Japan didn’t even want to sign Chad just for that reason)
The rest of it you’re right about (except for Chad being a pioneer of SX/MX- those honors go to Joel Robert, DeCoster, Jimmy Weinert, Marty Tripes, Hannah, Rick Johnson, Jeff Ward, Jeremy McGrath, and a few others- THEY were who built the sport to what it is today- Carmicheal, Everts, Stewart, etc,. have only cashed on what they built). Reed wanted to start his own Supercross series and took the National time off to work on that and get it going.
now chad reed signs with suzuki & james stewart with yamaha
next????? what? ferry’s new ktm?????
but anyways because of reed’s change to suzuki i’m gonna buy a rmz250
What a joke. He would have never won nothing if it werent for Carmichael being hurt and Bubba being hurt last year.
anyway just saying carmikle is the best running with ricky johnsonway to go carmikle
reed has no chance against james or even ferry and he will prob. lose to alessi and just comen bace from his crash at red bud.
Don’t be so sure. Suzi’s cut corners like hot knifes through warm butter, and RC’s bike kept him in front of Stew. Yes, Reed is no RC, but neither is Stew (outdoors).
yeah, like a hot knifes through warm butter!!! for cereal!
You said it Josh.
Austrailian Supercross Series…? Setting it up…?? Reed may be a ‘pioneer’ of that series but a ‘pioneer’ of the sport…? C’mon. Put down your 25oz. Foster’s and think about what you are saying. Sounds to me like he is creating a series where he can stand on the middle box a little more often…makes sense. Maybe he will where a green No.1 plate since that red one doesn’t have a weight over there. Does he have any comp in Austrailia…? If he did, they are all probably dreaming of making it big and coming to the states to race.
BTW, Which Americans are going to ’ship over’…? Regardless,
I am sure he will do very well in the Austrailian Supercross Championship.
Reed is a talented rider and ONE of the fastest…I believe he has a better program now too….I will enjoy watching him ride that RMZ….but that doesn’t make you a pioneer of the sport.
Gooday folks.
A pioneer to AUSTRALIA my man. He opened the sport up to our country and became a leader for the kids back home who someday wanted to get to the US just like there hero Chad. YOu cant say we dont have just alittle presence with Reed, Metcalfe, Byrne, Mcfarlane, and the newcomers Moss, Reardon e.t.c als Cooper who races our series (leading privateer in the US who back here struggled with competition at times) Who are also returning to Australia for the superX. Chad has invested his own money and time to provide a half decent series to our country (before we were running on tracks with 20-30 sec laptimes, Arena cross for you guys)
Which he didnt have to do, he could have sat his arse over in the US playing with his money if he so pleased.
Which is why us australians all look up to him.
The Americans coming over havent been finialised but names mentioned have been Pastrana, Mc grath, Millsaps, Langston and JLaw + afew others. But we will find out soon enough I guess.
And with chad always winning, NO NO! because instead of running the boring 20 lap mains there are differnt formats including survival, tripple threat, one on one e.t.c
racing is going to be WAY more exciting, trust me that.
Chad has big threats in Australia Including Reardon, Boyd, Marmont, Ando and the rest of the top aussies.
I honestly think if JLAW was to come over he would be fighting for podiums, Oz has a very star studded set of teenagers arising in the Lites, exciting stuff. In the 250 motocross series that just finished there were 5-6 guys who could win a race.
I myself am a yamaha fan but chad and his RMZ grace my desktop. Good on him and all the best.
Also good luck to mossy and Reardon next year, hopefully Reardon moves up to the 450’s where he belongs and shows his stuff.
Cheers
And you happened across this website by mistake?? which percentage do you fall into….still in the closet or already told your parents….? Take the Mulisha sticker off the back of your prerunner tough guy.
its pretty sick he went to zook but with bubba replacing his spot and rv replacing bubba rv and bubba will be battling and I think alessi and reed will be battling so it will be a good sx season to bad bubba isnt riding outdoors!
It really doesn’t matter which brand a top rider rides, those bikes are so different from the bikes we can afford, I mean those are $100,000 bikes while yours and mine are $10,000 tops if you get the supension and engine tricks done.
And it really doesn’t matter what brand they ride, the GOAT made that crystal clear.
And James not running outdoors? are you kidding me? I guess we all just have to wait and see.
Everybody’s talking like this mx season is already over just because James has pretty much clinched the title, but there is still plenty of races left.
Reed IS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY !!! shame shame shame..
& to CLEAR ONE THING UP YOU GUYS.
Till the end of time you will never really beat RICKY ! ( as his time has been done and won)
Nor will you ever beat Bubba that’s a fact.
And I do agree that they all better look out for RV
cheers!
AUSTRALIAN MOTO MEDIA BUSTERS.