Motorsport champions and mates trade places at The Race of Champions
The spirit of mateship is
alive and well amongst Australia's motorsport champions.
Defending AMA Motocross and Australian Super X Champion Chad Reed has
come to the aid of defending V8 Supercar Champion Jamie Whincup who has
chosen to sideline himself from the prestigious Race of Champions in
Beijing.
27-year-old Reed from Monster Energy Kawasaki will step in to the role at
Team Australia in the multi-discipline motorsport event, replacing the
26-year-old TeamVodafone driver who endured a horror weekend of results
at the Surfers Paradise SuperGP.
Reed flew to Queensland to support Whincup at his home event and said he
was glad to help out having seen the points leader overcome with
disappointment after a late race mistake.
"I'm more than happy to step in for Jamie who made the decision
to remove himself from the event after a very tough weekend," said
Reed. "Motorsport can bring you the highest of highs but the lows are
crushing -- I've been in that position myself and I know what he
is going through.
"We've been friends for a few years now and thankfully l was the
position to be able to step in for him.
"I love nothing more than flying the Aussie flag and I am really
looking forward to teaming up with Mick (Doohan). The only condition I
made was that Jamie give his all to win the 2009 title," Reed
explained.
Whincup said it was a difficult decision to make but was staunchly
determined to defend his title and pay back the support shown by his
team, sponsors and fans.
"V8 Supercars are my focus, we've worked very hard to get where
we are and I've made the decision to withdraw from the Race of
Champions in order to concentrate on rebuilding my points lead," said
Whincup.
"I am extremely grateful that Chad has been able to take my place and
I am certain he will do a very good job for Australia.
"He is an incredible athlete and is one of the toughest competitors I
have met. He has shown he can mix it on four wheels -- in the past he
has driven our TeamVodafone V8 Supercar and also had a good test in a
Toyota rally car.
"I wish him and Mick all the best in Beijing."
Reed will pair up with another two-wheel star in Mick Doohan, a five-time
MotoGP world champion.
Doohan was also present at the SuperGP race and supported the decision of
Whincup to relinquish his drive.
The Reed/Doohan duo will be up against stars including Michael
Schumacher, Jenson Button, Marcus Gronholm, Travis Pastrana and many more
at the November 2-4 event at the Bird's Nest stadium in
Beijing.
-credit: fluidpr
