Reed takes the Bate(s)

In a move which signals his intentions after his decorated two-wheel career is over, world supercross champion Chad Reed will compete in at least one round of the 2009 Australian Rally Championship -- and it could morph into more, including some appearances on tarmac, if his schedule allows.

Sources suggest Reed will officially announce the collaboration with Japanese giant Toyota next week, and then follow up with a test drive in Neal Bates' Australian championship-winning S2000 Corolla.

"It has been an amazing ride over the last 12 months," Reed was quoted as saying on www.rally.com.au. "Winning my second world title, moving motorcycle manufacturers and now aligning myself with world's strongest automotive brand, Toyota.
 
"I am really excited about the opportunities TRD has presented me with in Australia and I can't wait to get my hands on Neal's car."

Reed's Australian-based management team, which has strong links with the V8 Supercar fraternity, organised a test drive for him last year.

Reed was smitten and, if he does try his hand at car racing, he'll follow in the footsteps of some famous motorcycle racing names like Johnny Cecotto, Graeme Crosby, Valentino Rossi and Wayne Gardner.

But the patriarch of them all is Briton John Surtees, who remains the only person to have won world titles on both two and four wheels. Surtees won seven 350 and 500cc motorcycles championships between 1956 and 1960, and then became the F1 champion in 1964.