It was in motocross that five-time Superbike World Champion Rea began his career on two wheels, being crowned British 60cc motocross runner-up in 3. He was not initially keen on switching to road racing. circuit as he found it boring, but his friends Michael and Eugene Laverty persuaded him to do it, competing in the 1997 British 125cc Championship.
His 2004 season was cut short by a crash at Knockhill, but in 2005, with support from Red Bull he competed in the British Superbike Championship (BSB) on a factory Honda Fireblade. Johnny has ridden a lot since then, but he continues to train cross country regularly.
It was therefore as a specialist and special guest that he traveled to Northern Ireland, where he was born, to the Arenacross in Belfast.
Note that during this evening, it was on an SR75 Suzuki that French rider Charles Lefrancois won the “Pro 450” final and the “Super Final Main Event”.
Here is Johnny Rea in front of his audience with his Kawasaki ZX-10R:
Johann Rea and his family
General presentation of the test:
Photos © Arenacross Belfast
