I went along to the Perth opener for a look and the live commentator, whose name eludes me but may have been Bruce Ruxton ( only with dreadlocks, not the ex-RSL pres) was also calling it Super-Ex..... anyway, in realtime the on-track action was pretty damn impressive, the fact that the star of the show was able to lap up to fourth spot isn't that much of a revelation considering he and Bubba are able to do likewise in the States. The Aussie support riders worked manfully, with hearty contributions from Reardon, Anderson, Boyd and co. TV may have disguised the fact that, as stunning as Chad Reed is, that works Suzuki flat hauls arse off the corners, and most of his advantage was gained in the way he and the bike screamed across the short, steep stutter jumps.
Apart from the wet, cold wintry conditions, the appalling snack bar service, and the fact that windy conditions curtailed the freestyle mx intervals during track maintenance, meaning the punters had to sit for an hour TWICE without any form of entertainment, the concept was new and exciting, the racing was hard and fast, and the public's admiration for Chad's effort in promoting, riding and winning the event, was tangible, and I think as an opener it will only lead to bigger and better events, and i think we should support and encourage it as hard as we can. Go, Chad !
