For Immediate Release: 18 April 2008.

St Louis, USA -  With an AMA and World Supercross title hanging in the balance, Australian rider Chad Reed is determined to make it to the starting gate in St Louis despite nursing some horrific and painful injuries.

Reed crashed heavily in practice at the Detroit round, impacting the ground at close-range. He was rushed to a local hospital and diagnosed with a broken and separated shoulder as well as abdominal contusions.

To the amazement of the crowd and rival riders, Reed returned to the circuit to race in the main event four hours later.

Despite being in excruciating pain, he still raced hard to finish in 12^th place and maintained his series lead.

It has been an extremely testing week for the 25-year-old, who has been in and out of various treatment facilities, struggling gallantly to make some sort of recovery.

A winner of 8 Supercross events to date in 2008, Reed has been the series form rider all season long, leading 143 race laps during the 2008 championship. He closest rival has lead just 23.  

Despite the injuries Reed has vowed to race this weekend to protect his points lead and achieve yet another amazing career milestone, he will make his 100^th career AMA Supercross start this Saturday.

“I do not know how I made it through the main event last week,” said Reed.

 “I have always been able to go out and grit my teeth, but this is the toughest race I have ever been in. When I crashed, I was scared for my life. I just put my head down and went for it. This is a title chase, and I am here to win the championship.”

“I’m not going to give up on this – you can mark my words. Anybody out there who thinks my championship is over will be in for a rude shock. I intend to make my 100^th SX class career start memorable for all the right reasons.”

As it stands, Reed’s advantage over second place is just 16 points. Although he is racing at far from full fitness this weekend, his fellow competitors know too well that they should never underestimate him.   

The 15^th round of the 2008 Championship will take place at St Louis’s Edward Jones Dome on Saturday 19^th April. The Main Event will commence at 7.00pm local time (10.00am Sunday 20^th April Australian time).  

Following this event, the series heads to Seattle's Qwest Field for the penultimate championship round.

AMA 2008 Supercross Class Championship Standings
1. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Yamaha, 296
2. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda, 280
3. Davi Millsaps, Cairo, Ga., Honda, 229
4. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 221
5. Joshua Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Yamaha, 191
6. Tim Ferry, Largo, Fla., Kawasaki, 189
7. Nathan Ramsey, Menifee, Calif., Yamaha, 155
8. David Vuillemin, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki, 137
9. Paul Carpenter, Ithaca, N.Y., Honda, 123
10. Nick Wey, Dewitt, Mich., KTM, 121

Chad Reed and San Manuel Racing are proudly sponsored by San Manuel, Yamaha, Fusion Energy, Nike, Parts Unlimited, THOR, Bridgestone, D.I.D.,VP Fuels, GYTR, Yamalube, One Industries, Pro Taper, OGIO, Alpinestars and Scott.