Tate Reed admits there is pressure attempting to live up to his father’s reputation once he gets on the bike, but the talented teenager is determined to cast such a burden aside and thrill a capacity Redcliffe crowd this weekend.
Reed’s father, Chad, cemented his name in AMA Supercross Championship folklore when he set the record for most event starts (265), on the road to becoming a two-time SX World Champion in his career.
Now Tate will have the chance to put his initials alongside his dad’s when the Australian Supercross Championships launch in Queensland, the first time the event has taken place in the state in five years.
Tate Reed and father Chad Reed soaking up Moreton Bay before the Australian Supercross Championships begin in Redcliffe.
“It always comes with pressure looking up to him, he’s one of the greatest and Australia’s greatest, so looking up to him is pretty hard,” Tate said, ahead of his quest to triumph in the 85cc class.
“But he’s a good mentor; he knows a lot, he’s done a lot of good and some bad, so he leads me in the right direction all the time – he’s been a lot of help.”
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Kayo Stadium, home of the Dolphins, has been transformed with 6,000,000 kilograms – or 6000 tonnes – of dirt compiled onto the turf to create the track.
Across this weekend’s events, defending champion Dean Wilson will face off against international competitors, including Joey Savatgy and Aaron Tanti, along with Australian talent Matt Moss and Luke Clout.
“I think this year there’s a little bit more pressure for sure, we’ve got a ton of fast guys and everyone is really hungry to win,” Wilson said.