Around the tracks February 6 2009

PART-TIME V8 Supercar racer Nathan Pretty is still celebrating after winning the World Jetsprint Championship in New Zealand. Pretty, who has been a co-driving regular at Bathurst in V8 Commodores and is also racing in the upcoming 12-hour showroom battle in a Commodore Sportwagon, took the world crown after a victory in the 2007 Australian championship. Pretty won the Jetsprint title for the Triple X team at the Tauherenikau course near Featherston on New Zealand's north island.

THERE will be a new 'voice' of V8 Supercars in 2009 as the former general manager of Jason Bright's Britek team, Chris Jewell, becomes the new series commentator. He will be the lead on-track commentator at the 14 rounds of this year's championship, taking over from Paul Marinelli.

HARDCORE biker Blake 'Bilko' Williams is using a Crusty Demons tour in New Zealand to prepare for a big year of FMX action in 2009. He will be back on the lucrative Dew Tour in the USA after being sidelined by an injury last year and will also take part in the X Games in Los Angeles as well as the new Dubai X Games in December." 

AUSTRALIA'S World and American Supercross champion Chad Reed survived a nasty crash in practice to score his fifth podium in five rounds at the weekend. The Suzuki rider rode cautiously during his eight lap heat race, but pushed hard in the final to finish second in San Francisco begind James Stewart (Yamaha) and remain on top of the championship, six points in front of Stewart.

"I still have the points lead. Right now that is important and we go back to Anaheim next weekend to a track that has being designed by Jeremy McGrath, so I am looking forward to that," he said. 

AMA Supercross Season Standings after Round 5 of 17 1. Chad Reed, Suzuki, 108 2. James Stewart, Yamaha, 102 3. Josh Grant, Yamaha, 95 4. Ryan Villopoto, Kawasaki, 88 5. Andrew Short, Honda, 87