SUPERSTAR CHAD REED SET TO DEFEND SUPER X CROWN

June 29: Australia's two-time supercross world champion Chad Reed is ready to face the challenge of the sport's biggest superstar and a battalion of young guns when the second Super X series gets under way in October this year.

Defending champion Reed heads the classy line-up of competitors for the second season of Super X, which will be contested over seven rounds across Australia and New Zealand.

After another big season in the United States, which saw him just beaten into second place in the world championship, Reed says he is keen to race in a Super X series that will provide plenty of thrills and spills for both riders and spectators.

"I'm really looking forward to it," he said from his Florida home today.

"This is the second season and we have overcome some of the teething problems of last year so it should be a spectacular series.

"For me, last year's series was a bit rushed because I was changing teams and getting used to a new bike but I was still able to win.

"This year it should be more relaxed and when you are in a more relaxed environment it's a chance to enjoy it more and take it all in, so I think I'll be racing even better this time."

The Super X series will start at the Aurora Stadium in Launceston, Tasmania, on October 17 before heading to Geelong (October 24), Perth (October 31), Canberra (November 7), Sydney (November 14), Hamilton, New Zealand (November 21) and concluding with the final in Brisbane on December 5.

Reed, world champion in 2004 and 2008, is particularly excited at the prospect of racing against his boyhood hero, seven-times world champion Jeremy McGrath.

The American superstar will race in three events of the series - at Geelong, Canberra and Sydney - and Reed says the 38-year-old will be more than ready to take on his younger rivals.

"Jeremy is the guy I looked up to as a kid, I had his pictures on my wall and watched his videos," Reed said.

"We're close friends now and it will be great to have him racing in Australia. Even though he's older than us he hasn't lost too much at all and he will be able to use the skills he has learnt over the years."

McGrath, who helped establish supercross as the most exciting of spectator sports, agrees his know-how will be vital in the Super X series.

"Experience plays into supercross racing perfectly, like knowing how to get good starts and getting to the front of the field and knowing how to stay there," he said.

"Spectators can be sure to see races that are action packed, with guys bumping into each other all over the place and doing everything they can to win.

"I'm not sure you can see anything like it anywhere in the world."

The round at Skilled Stadium, Geelong, will be extra special for McGrath, who has grandparents and many cousins living in Melbourne.

"They have never seen me race in the States so it will be great to race in front of them at Geelong," he said.

New features of this year's Super X series include the introduction of more exciting race formats for many rounds and indoor racing at the Burswood Dome in Perth.

"Racing indoors should be real fun and from what I've heard it's a unique venue and it should hold a decent-sized track," Reed said.

"It will be a great chance for spectators to get up close to the action. You can't beat it, there will be 20 riders going for it, banging the boards and it will be very exciting.

"It will be very intense for the riders, too, with explosive action and you will have to ensure you get a good start and then fight hard to hold your place."

Fox Sports will once again cover every race of the Super X series live and Network Ten will run a one-hour highlights package the weekend after each round.

Tracks, which turn the stadiums in to dirt colosseums, will be custom designed and built for each venue by internationally renowned American track designer, Jason Barker, and will incorporate many new challenges for riders.

Tickets will go on sale next Monday, June 29, through http://www.superx.com.au/. 

Series schedule:

Date	Location	Venue	Final race format OPEN	Final race format 250cc
October 17	Tasmania	Aurora Stadium, Launceston	Triple Challenge	Triple Challenge
October 24	Victoria	Skilled Stadium, Geelong	Quad Challenge	Quad Challenge
October 31	Western Australia	Burswood Dome, Perth	Round Robin	Super Sprint
November 7	Canberra	Canberra Stadium	Triple Challenge	Triple Challenge
November 14	New South Wales	Parramatta Stadium	Survival	15 lap final
November 21	New Zealand	Waikato Stadium	Quad Challenge	15 lap final
December 5	Queensland	QSAC stadium, Brisbane	Double Header	Double Header