Reed - first Aussie to win an AMA motocross round
Photos [Left to right]: Australian Chad Reed finished third in his first outdoor AMA Motocross race in the Lites class at Glen Helen on 12 May 2002 (pictured here), winning his first overall and career moto win in round 3 at High Point two weeks later; and Reed’s Yamaha YZ250F motocross bike (By courtesy ADB Magazine).
Reed creates Aussie history at High Point
On 26 May 2002, Chad Reed etched his name in our history books becoming the first Australian to win an AMA National motocross round, winning the MX Lites 125cc class at the High Point raceway in the United States.
Reed, from Kurri Kurri in New South Wales, also notched up his first career AMA National moto win – winning both motos aboard his Yamaha to claim his third podium finish in three rounds.
After finishing third overall at Glen Helen and second at Hangtown, each round he went one step higher – winning at High Point ahead of Suzuki rider Branden Jesseman (5-2) and Kawasaki rider Eric Sorby (6-3).
Fellow Kawasaki rider and points leader James Stewart had a disastrous round. After winning all races in the opening rounds, he badly twisted his knee in Saturday practice and struggled to fourth place in the first moto at High Point. Then in the second moto, his engine seized and he missed out on any points. Another Aussie, Michael Byrne finished tenth overall with a 8-14 finish on his Honda.
Chad Reed (By Olivier de Vaulx)
By the end of the last moto, this class was in turmoil after three of the four leading contenders had sustained knee injuries in recent weeks – Stewart, Grant Langston and defending Champ Mike Brown injured his in the second moto at High Point.
After three of the 12 rounds, Reed was the new rider in command with a ten points lead over Stewart.
Having signed a deal with Team Yamaha of Troy racing to race supercross in the United States in 2002 after finishing second in the World 250ccc Motocross Championship in Europe, Reed was a revelation.
He took the country by storm winning all but two supercross races that season to win the 125cc East Coast Supercross championship then being a serious challenger in the outdoor AMA Lites motocross Nationals.
James Stewart went on to dominate the 2002 AMA MX Lite Championship to win on 529 points, with Reed finishing second in his first attempt. He tied on 391 pints with Branden Jesseman, but was awarded second on a countback. Michael Byrne finished eleventh.
Round 3 - AMA Motocross Lites Results
Round 3 of 12 High Point Raceway
26 May 2002
Round 3 of 12, High Point (Overall Round)
1. Chad Reed, Yamaha (1-1)
2. Branden Jesseman, Suzuki (5-2)
3. Eric Sorby, Kawasaki (6-3)
4. Ernesto Fonseca, Honda (3-8)
5. Larry Ward, Yamaha (11-5)
6. Casey A Johnson, Honda (9-9)
7. Buddy Antunez, Suzuki (16–4)
8. Josh Demuth, Yamaha (2-7)
9. Mike Brown, Kawasaki (2-39)
10. Michael Byrne, Honda (8-14)
End of year championship
1. James Stewart, Kawasaki (529 points)
2. Chad Reed, Yamaha (391)
3. Branden Jesseman, Suzuki (391)
4. Ernesto Fonseca, Honda (385)
5. Danny Smith, Suzuki (312)
6. Matt Walker, Kawasaki (285)
7. Buddy Antunez, Suzuki (244)
8. Brock Sellards, KTM (216)
9. Larry Ward, Yamaha (202)
10. Travis A Preston, Honda (197)
11. Michael Byrne, Honda (186)
