Aussie moto legend Chad Reed is now confirmed for the 2017 AUS-X Open in Sydney, Australia in what could be his last supercross race of his career.
Reed will make his way back home for the November 11/12 event at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena and without a signed contract for 2018, many speculate that the AUS-X Open could be his last ever supercross race.
Coincidentally, the Qudos Bank Arena is the very same venue where Reed propelled his name into the global limelight 16 years ago, when he edged out young American phenom Travis Pastrana, for the win.
Following 17 years of professional racing, Reed entertains that Sydney could well be the final race of his hall-of-fame career – good reason not to miss the opportunity to see him in person.
“Currently, I don’t have a contract for the 2018 season. My intention is to continue racing, but if it’s not meant to be, I couldn’t think a better place to end my career than the AUS-X Open amongst my friends, family and fans,” Reed said.
“The Qudos Bank Arena hold’s so many fond memories for me. Racing indoors in Sydney Olympic Park reminds me of where my career began before heading overseas full time.
“To have been involved with the AUS-X Open since its inception has been an honour. The energy from the fans, the atmosphere, everything about it is unlike anything I’ve experienced. It’s an event I take very seriously and put a lot of pressure on myself to win. Second place isn’t an option and 2017 will be no different.”
Reed has managed to win the majority of his AUS-X Open racing encounters in both 2015 and 2016, battling some of the sport’s greatest names including Ricky Carmichael, Ryan Villopoto, Cooper Webb, Justin Brayton and more in some of the best racing action ever witnessed outside of the USA.
Of the four AUS-X Open finals contested so far, Reed has won three and narrowly missed out on the clean sweep when he finished second to AMA Supercross prodigy Cooper Webb on Sunday in 2015.
Event Director, Adam Bailey, heralded Chad’s support of the AUS-X Open as a true testament to his commitment to the sport that has taken him from nearby Kurri Kurri, NSW to packed stadiums around the world.
“Chad is without a doubt a hero, not only to supercross fans but sports fans everywhere,” Bailey said. “What he has achieved and continues to achieve on the global stage, is nothing short of staggering.
“The fact that he’s supported the AUS-X Open since day one and has agreed to come back again this year to once again entertain thousands of fans in Sydney, is something that we are eternally grateful for.
“After two world championships, 44 world supercross race wins and 17 years of paving the way for young Australians, IF the AUS-X Open were to be Chad’s final race, there’s no doubt that we will roll out the red carpet and ensure he receives a send-off that he and his legion of fans will NEVER forget!”
The AUS-X Open is the only event of its kind in Australia, where supercross and freestyle motocross gladiators from around the globe come to compete for supremacy on Australian soil. In 2016, the event attracted over 26,000 fans across the two days and collectively reached millions of eyeballs worldwide courtesy of a comprehensive social media and television broadcast.
The sport of supercross continues to rise rapidly towards mainstream interest, as millennials opt for the high energy, high stake and unpredictable nature of action sports.
Each Saturday night of the AUS-X Open sold out within days in both 2015 and 2016, and last year’s Sunday event almost reached capacity meaning fans are urged to sign up to the AUS-X Open pre-sale registration to avoid disappointment.
Further announcements regarding the athlete line-up, revised ticket pricing and more are still to come. Signing up to the pre-sale ensures first preference of ALL seating on both nights of competition.
