Chad Reed mixes it amongst the world's best on any given weekend. Image: Simon Cudby.

Australia’s greatest ever motocross and supercross racer Chad Reed says that the future of the Australian Supercross Championship is vital for developing homegrown talent.

The TwoTwo Motorsports team owner/rider worked his way through the ranks during the 1990s before turning pro in 1998/1999, going on to win multiple domestic titles before heading overseas in 2001.

With Global Action Sports announcing this week that it has abandoned its ill-fated Super X series after four years, the dual AMA and World Supercross Champion is adamant that the sport must maintain focus on creating a solid platform for rising supercross stars.

“I think [supercross in Australia] is really important, it’s a massive part of my generation and the former generation,” Reed exclusively told MotoOnline.com.au. “We raced supercross at 12 years of age and I felt like that was kind of ground breaking and that we were ahead of our time.

“I kind of got a little bit of hate because in some interviews I mentioned that when I was a part of the whole Super X program, that I didn’t necessarily support the 12-year-olds [racing] at a supercross. And mainly my reasoning was that I felt that supercross was at a point, at the end of 2008, that it needed to take a step.

“It needed to take a big step in the right direction and I felt like it needed to put more effort into building American style supercross tracks, but when you have 12 years olds riding, it kind of limits you.

“There’s only so much you can do on a race track, to still make it safe for them. I kind of wanted to go that direction and I felt like that was the way we wanted to go.”

Reed is a household name when it comes to supercross, worldwide. Image: Simon Cudby.

Reed developed his skills in a unique time for the sport in Australia, with events largely contested on tight arenacross-style indoor circuits, however outdoor showground-based events were also vastly popular at the time.

“I think back to the days of Jeff Leisk, Craig Dack, Anthony Gobert, Joel Elliot and Craig Anderson in my era, so many fun experiences and fun moments we had,” Reed reflected. “I just think that maybe supercross grew at a pace that wasn’t sustainable, I think that’s why it’s just kind of toppled over.

“I think back to the early 2000s when myself, Michael Byrne and Andrew McFarlane were doing real well on an international level, people started looking at Australia. Dan Reardon got a contract over $100,000 on a Factory Connection Lites team, Jay Marmont had a factory KTM ride and Ando had a factory Yamaha Lites ride.

“There were so many guys that got rides on great teams with good money, at a time when a year or two before that, Australians were never even thought of you know? It was always the French who were developing supercross skills outside of the U.S. and then Australia became the target.”

Reed is certain that Australia can continue to produce talent on a local level, not yet convinced that the sport is doomed in his home country. With hope of a new promoter taking over in late 2012 or early 2013, Reed remains confident that SX can succeed again.

“Hopefully somebody with not only business savvy, but also a passion for the sport that can live and learn from all mistakes can come in – no company is ever perfect,” Reed added.

For a full insight from Reed, as well as Jay Marmont, Kevin Williams and Yarrive Konsky, check out our latest edition of ‘The Point‘ feature right here on MotoOnline.com.au.