Chad Reed Pushing The Age Barrier!

#22 Looked pretty good last night on his return to Yamaha. Has he got a championship in him...probaly not but he is fun to watch.

Reprint From MXVice

Vice Viewpoint: Chad Reed

 

Many people in the industry can empathise with Reed – our own James Burfield is one of those…

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Reading the recent announcement from Chad Reed, regarding the closure of TwoTwo Motorsports, not many will understand the personal sacrifices that he and his family had to make.

From 2013 until the end of 2014 I, James Burfield, had my own team, as some of you may know, which gave me a real valid insight into what goes on on the other side of the fence. I’m a great believer in sticking to your strengths, something that I have always championed since day one with everything I have been involved in. My mechanical skill reaches cleaning an air filter and my riding style would fit into the junior group, so asking me for line choice or whether we should be running a part would be absolutely pointless. I do know about marketing, digital, awareness, branding, social media for people, brands and companies of all shapes and sizes and I’m good at talking.

So when I teamed up with a team of engine tuners with a prolific car tuning business behind them, as well as resources and contacts, it was decided I should stick to what I was good at and concentrate on sponsorship and promoting the team. Let’s just say that story ended with three riders quitting at the end of round two of the British Championship. It’s also worth noting that, in life, there are two sides to every story and I’m sure I was to blame for everything if you hear the other side – that’s just how it goes.

I was left with a choice after three months of having a team. Both quit and watch three riders struggle through the rest of the year after selling them the dream, or support this with my own money personally and from our family business. I chose to support the guys and burnt through fifty thousand pounds in one year from April to October.

I’m sure you are all sat there thinking about what you could be spending your fifty thousand pounds on right now? That’s a few holidays, a nice car and some great nights out. I’m sure there are a few team owners reading this with some agreeing and others saying that’s peanuts compared to what I put in. For me I’m a man of my word and the only thing you have in life is that, so to not fulfill that would take away everything I stand for.

I’m thankful for my family who stepped in and said we’ll support you, because without them and Talon Engineering it would have been pretty difficult to run a race team on my salary!

What I didn’t envisage was the financial burden on my family and the emotional drain. I had a one year old child and for the next six months I spent every hour working on trying to keep current sponsors happy by working hard digitally on social and raising awareness, and also trying to find new ones that would benefit from our programme. It was tough and looking back I have no idea how I was able to get through it, I guess you don’t know how strong you are until you are put in these situations.

Having to balance a team, marriage, three businesses, three kids and a team of riders who all had their needs was tough. It was way too much for me and if it wasn’t for Rob Boseley stepping up and helping out for those two years, I don’t know how I would have got through it. So that was fifty thousand pounds on those two years and, with a few new issues in 2014, let’s just say I had tiny insight into what Chad Reed had to get through.

Now multiply the investment to five million a year with a team of employees, three kids, a wife and a worldwide brand. You’re also the rider who is tasked with getting the results and running in the most watched series in the world, with everything you do being in the public spotlight. Plus over a million fans want a piece of you and a further two million bench racers are all giving an insight into why you are losing it. Quite frankly, I have no idea how he was able to run for five years.

I would like to say I loved having a team and enjoyed it, but it was one of the hardest and unrewarding things I have done to date (a series is a close second). You will never win the game and the emotional rollercoaster is not for the faint hearted.

So Chad Reed, I salute you, as someone who had one percent of the sh*t you have had I understand how you are feeling right now, the dent your pride would have taken by having to let go to something you believed in and wanted to make a difference with.

It will take time for Chad to transition, but making sure the family comes first and you continue to have the lifestyle you have worked your ass off for comes way above having your own team. It’s good to have a strong woman next to you to guide you through these things, something I can relate to.

Words: James Burfield | Image: James Lissimore