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Edited Date/Time
11/24/2015 7:03pm
I'm a pretty diehard Chad Reed fan, but father time is who he is. I don't think it would be an earth-shattering statement to say that Reed will probably not see another SX Championship before he retires. I believe he is still fast enough to win races though, so it has to be a tough spot for him. Knowing you can win, having the desire to compete, and facing your own mortality.
So I got thinking, is is more important to Chad Reed to win another Championship or to have fun? I bet if he was honest with himself, he would just like to compete, be a threat for a win and enjoy himself. In that regard, if he doesn't have anything secured at this point - how awesome would it be for him to ride a new YZ250? Unlike most others in the field, he knows how to ride one and knows what they are like. Does anyone think he would be at such a disadvantage to not even make Main Events on one?
No fancy hauler, no big dollars, just getting back to the basics. Not only would people cheer like crazy to see a smoker out there, but the best part is - if he wins, maybe its the bike. if he loses, maybe its the bike. It takes a lot of pressure off him and I think he could actually focus on having fun, playing up to the fans, trying to do the impossible and get a win.
Is that really a bad scenario?
So I got thinking, is is more important to Chad Reed to win another Championship or to have fun? I bet if he was honest with himself, he would just like to compete, be a threat for a win and enjoy himself. In that regard, if he doesn't have anything secured at this point - how awesome would it be for him to ride a new YZ250? Unlike most others in the field, he knows how to ride one and knows what they are like. Does anyone think he would be at such a disadvantage to not even make Main Events on one?
No fancy hauler, no big dollars, just getting back to the basics. Not only would people cheer like crazy to see a smoker out there, but the best part is - if he wins, maybe its the bike. if he loses, maybe its the bike. It takes a lot of pressure off him and I think he could actually focus on having fun, playing up to the fans, trying to do the impossible and get a win.
Is that really a bad scenario?
If anyone is going to show up to a professional event, *and supported by a factory team* it will be on the most competitive machine.
***Edit: I agree on the publicity stunt thing, that's just brilliant way of being noticed.
The Shop
Reed races to win, and handicapping himself with a less powerful engine is not something he will do. You 2-stroke guys need to accept that the rules are written to make it so a 250 2-stroke can only compete against a 450 4-stroke. The rules need to change to either allow a bigger engine for the 2-stroke or smaller engine for the 4-stroke. Until then, please stop suggesting a fantasy world where a world class rider would handicap themselves with big $$$ on the line.
In reality, the 450's are so overly bloated with excess HP that several top 5 250F guys can go quicker on the same track. And as much as people want the 2 stroke thing to stop coming up - they are still here. They are a threat (look at Canada) and they aren't going away. And someone like Reed could still embarrass a lot of people on it. Steinke on a 125 getting lapped has more fans than most of the guys beating him. Reed would be a legend on a smoker again.
So we can talk about having fun..........or talk about Reed showing up on the most competitive machine and racing for another Championship in 2016. So lets get real.
Pit Row
Not as great as a 2-stroke though.
I would just like to see the dude have some fun.
It was actually only 2 races before he switched
"Two more top contenders have switched power valves and fatty pipes for intake valves, exhaust valves and camshafts prior to round three of the Amp’d Mobile/AMA Supercross Series at Angel Stadium in Anaheim tonight.
Jeremy McGrath, the seven-time AMA Supercross Champion, has abandoned his factory Honda CR250 for a factory Honda CRF450R, and BooKoo Honda rider David Vuillemin has followed suit, also switching from a 250cc two-stroke to a 450cc four-srtoke."
Something most of us will never understand is that ability to step, or jump, out of our own comfort zone and push through until we are on top. Many people make excuses, lose motivation, and tap out before reaching their true potential. Chad Reed is a person who has come back many times and shown success. This isn't the first time he has found himself in limbo.
I believe Chad Reed wants to win a title and do it in a way that no one doubts who was the best rider that season. I think he wants it bad enough that he will run like you said... "No fancy hauler, no big dollars, just getting back to basics" He has the box van, he has the bike(s) and parts. I think something will come together, but I wouldn't be surprised to see the guy show up in a box van with a mechanic. Eventually someone would get hurt, he would fill in.
That all said, RCH will take him on before having to go down that road. The hope he had with Yamaha was to have a career after retiring. I can see him fitting in with RCH for years to come after retirement. Whether that is a tester/coach or even a team manager. Based on the interview with Kenny's dad, they may need some structure.
If Dale Earnhardt came back in a car from the showroom with air conditioning, nobody would see anything else.
Thats why wrecking the car is the best 5 minutes of advertising dollars. A car in 10th is unseen.
Hit the wall and ALL cameras are on it.
Don't get out and your sponsors marketing team is jumping for joy.
You just got them 10 minutes or more of advertising that would have cost 100 million.
Nobody expected him to win.
Racing is a business and about promotion.
Winning is great....but some never sold shit to anyone in comparison when winning.
And nobody remembers who got 2nd either.
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