Motor Cycling: Jonny's Rea-sing his game

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Nov 23, 2003 | by JIMMY WALKER

JONATHAN REA is not your average 16-year-old, for this precocious teenager from Ulster has one ambition - "to be world champion, and as quickly as possible."

This may seem an ambitious move by the youngster from Ballyclare, Co. Antrim who has only had one series in the big time - this year's British 125cc Championship.

But Rea has gone a step further and signed up with the Red Bull Rookie team which will contest the British title for Honda in the Supersport 600 car next year.

The son of former TT winner Johnnie Rea said: "This is my biggest break. I have proved that I can get faster every time I race and I'm really looking forward to the 600cc Championship.

"I only rode one of these bikes for the first time when testing at Cadwell Park and I was picked up by Honda manager Neil Tuxworth.

"It's a great privilege to ride for Honda in this series and my team-mate will be current champion Carl Harris."

Rea doesn't feel that he's been over ambitious with his views on the future.

He said: "You have to go for something if you really want it. Last February I won the Red Bull Rookie award and with it a place in the British 125cc Championship.

"At the end of the season I had my best performance when I finished third at Brands Hatch and I thought at the time I could go on from there to greater things.

"I know that racing on the track is a world away from Motocross but I think I have proved I have the talent to finish at the top. I don't think I'll win the British title first up but I'd like to get into the top eight and perhaps grab some podium positions."