Robyn Edie
Speedway racer Finn Reed, 17, claimed the New Zealand under-21 solo title at Oreti Park Speedway in Invercargill.
Third generation speedway racer Finn Reed is hoping his under-21 solo New Zealand title will be the first of many.
He fought off some strong competition to win all five races and capture the coveted title – four heats and then the final.
In the heats, they were greeted with dry weather, but as the final approached rain arrived and changed the conditions.
“We just had to play it safe and drive to the conditions. It went well.”
It was the biggest title of his career to date and Reed’s hoping to spring a few surprises over the summer, when racing is in full steam.
“It runs in the blood, so I’m just trying to give it a good crack.”
At the under-21 champs, Reed, 17, was a class above as he won all of his races and showcased how dangerous he will be on the track in the coming seasons.
The New Zealand Championships are set for Oreti Park Speedway in January and that’s Reed’s target.
“The solo victory in the under-21 class was my biggest victory to date, but I am hoping that I can achieve something bigger at the nationals. Bringing home a title from that would be pretty cool. I race against the best in the country at that meet. I can compete in the open grade, so it’ll be a good challenge.”
There’s a top New Zealand rider coming back from the UK to compete in Invercargill at the nationals, so that’s providing Reed with all the motivation he needs to do well.
“I want to beat him. That will be a target.”
Robyn Edie
Reed is hoping to spring a few surprises at the national championships on his home track in January.
“I was pretty rapt with how I performed. I was unbeaten all day and to win the title was a nice feeling. There was some great competition.”
Some riders have won it three times and Reed, who has been racing for seven years, has eclipsing their efforts in his sights.
“There’s no reason why I can’t go and win another four more. It will be hard work, but I want to beat them, so it’ll definitely be a target of mine.”
“I love the adrenaline and rush you get from it. There is nothing like it. A great part of the sport is I get to race against competitors older than me. Age isn’t a barrier, if you’re good enough.”
Reed’s journey to the sport came about through family. Having seen it on television and grown up with his Dad and Granddad racing, he decided to give it a good crack.
“It’s pretty cool going out there and beating riders with more experience than me. Keeping up with them gives them a bit of a fright and makes them work harder.”
Most weekends from December through to April, he will be on a track competing or getting minutes under his belt and trying to better his performances each time.
Reed, who is in his second season on the big track, also competed at the South Island Championships in Christchurch and was third in the final after going unbeaten in his heats.
Robyn Edie
Reed finished third at the recent South Island Championships.
“It’s fun. The big track is a lot better with the big boys. There’s more space and more speed.”
He is super thankful to his supporters and sponsors, who help him get out on the track each season.
“It’s a great sport. We have an awesome group of people. We’d love to see more come and give it a crack.”
