THERE was a time when Chad Reed considered a career in the Supercars series, but now he is happy to call himself a spectator at Mount Panorama.
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The man who forged his motor sport reputation as a professional supercross racer was a guest of Walkinshaw Racing at the Bathurst 1000.
But unlike the rest of those supporting the team, Reed knows what it is like to sit behind the wheel of a Supercar.
“I’ve been lucky enough to actually have a couple of spins in these things, it was a pretty good time,” the two-time world champion who was doing work for Boost Mobile at the Mount said.
“Once upon a time I did consider a Supercars career, but my life as I know it is in the US, three kids and a wife.
“It would be a big change to up root everyone and bring them from the US back here, so it would have to be a massive commitment.
“I’m 35, so I’m no spring chicken any more. I’ve spent a life dedicated to motorcycles and I don’t know that I’m at that point in my life where I want to go and dedicate that much time and effort into something that’s completely new.”
Reed recently called time on his nine-year association with Yamaha and said he was very proud to “have stood on a SX podium representing the blue team more than anyone else.”
But he felt it was time to move on.
“I won’t miss it actually. There’s a certain part of me, obviously my legacy and memories at Yamaha, but with the times you’ve got to go with what’s right,” he said.
“We live in a sport that you’re only as good as your last race, so you have to be good, you have to be comfortable and you have to be on a good bike and Yamaha is not that place for me right now.
“Right now I’ve got good indications of what’s happening next, nothing is signed, nothing is done until it’s done, but it’s all looking good and positive for 2018.”
While Reed is playing it coy about what his immediate future holds, he had no qualms taking about the Supercars drivers he is a fan of.
He was in the garage of James Courtney – a man who shares his #22 racing number – and grew up cheering for Craig Lowndes.
Reed also acknowledged the “blue and white car from the other garage” – Mark Winterbottom’s Allan Moffat inspired retro-look Ford – revived good memories.
“Growing up, I think like 90 percent of the people here, I was a Lowndes fan. But James has become a good friend, not just because of the 22 and everything,” Reed said.
“I do look at the blue and white car and you instantly think of Brocky, Skaifey, Lowndesy, so it brings back childhood memories.
“I can remember sitting in the lounge room and having to go to the fridge every couple of minutes to get dad a beer.”