Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

use video equipment and other devices, Reid's only piece of teaching equipment is himself and his knowledge. Though he still can't ride (yet), personal attention is given to students regarding techniques for starting, cornering, body positioning and throttle control, among other things. Criticism is given to each aspect of riding, and correct procedures are discussed. Things are done until they're done right. According to Warren, response to his classes has been good, with riders ranging from mini beginners to National-caliber Pros. And this is considering that fact that there's no advertising, just word of mouth, which draws in students who pay $85 each for a half-day session. Why a half day? "There's not a rider alive who can .ride all day long and learn, and still be worth anything at the end," is the explanation. Warren believes that in spite of the cost of his riding class, the personal attention and experience that he imparts to his students makes it well worth it. Besides the on-track instruction time, the fee entitles students to call Reid up at any time afterwards if they should have a problem or have any further questions. ''I'm not fike everybody else," Warren says, "where after the school is over that's it. My students can call me up and ask me anything. I'm in the phone book." Besides the riding classes, the other opportunity that came Warren Reid's way literally called him up one day. "Larry Huffman called me," relates Warren, "and he asked me 'Why don't you work with me announcing at the Saddleback Nationals?' So I did, and then [ announced some Division Three speedway at the Orange County Fairgrounds. And I've hosted his show (Motorcycle World with Larry Huffman) a couple of times when he was out of town." Announcing has turned out to be an exciting and unexpected aspect of Reid's career, one which appears to be able to take him places whetHer he ever races again or nOL The seeds for this development were planted several years ago when Warren first met Huffman while the announcer interviewed him for a supercross. "[ read afterwards in Cycle News that Larry said the riders weren't that good at being interviewed," Reid quips. "Larry said that if any of them wanted to improve their skills, they should call him up. And I did. I went to his house where he has a studio, and he told me to just talk and say what ['m thinking. I learned that you have to talk, not just say 'yes' or 'no,' and you have to speak clearly. Despite the open invite, Warren happened to be the only rider to show up at Huffman's house. Reid was able to realize the potential of this new skill and that it would come in handy at some time in the future. The payoff that has been netted in terms of 'the announcing jobs that he's received appears to be only the tip of the proverbial iceberg for Warren. "Larry's not only helped me for motorcycle racing, but I can talk to anybody, even if they don't speak English. That's why I enjoy racing in other countries, because I can get along with other people." In comparison to announcing, Warren Reid still finds racing easier to do. "For Huffman," he continues, "it's probably vice versa; everything he does is so effortless." For example, the first time Warren hosted Larry's radio show (9:00 pm Sundays on KEZY 1190 FM), the experience was almost like racing for the first time. Warren didn't know if he was going to finish or do an endo over the airwaves. ''I'd never been inside a radio station before, and [ had to run all the different buttons, dials and stuff, get all the commercials on at the right time, and think of questions for the guests. The second time was easier because I had two friends of mine (Broc Glover and Team Kawasaki MX manager Roy Turner), and Bruce Hammer was my co-host, so it took some of the pressure off. "Coming out with a question," Reid continues, "working all the dials and switches - it's an acquired skill'" Doing the trackside play-by-play announcing for the often furious and unpredicatable action of Division Three speedway presents its own challenges, as Warren has learned. "They don't have numbers on the front of the bikes," he explains." That gives me more problems than anything. Unless you know the riders and the colors of their riding gear, it's tough to recognize them. You can't talk continuously, but you can't have any gaps, like anything over five seconds. Whatever you say, you have to make it exciting; you just can't casually mention things." Knowing how much announcing has helped himself out, Warren believes that it should be an important part of any racer's skills if the sport of motocross is to advance. "I think a top rider owes it to the public as well as to himself to become better spoken. You don't have to sacrifice any of your riding talent to become a better speaker, and the more media exposure that motocross receives, the more people will realize how dedicated the riders are." If he isn't announcing, and if he's not doing a riding class at nearby Saddleback Park, Warren Reid is busy working out at SCAR (Sports Conditioning And Rehabiliation) in Tustin. With the right leg still healing, Warren knows that his work is cut out for himself. The only solution is with long hours riding a LifeCycle and a circuit or two on all the equipment until sweat pours off his body. Just over four months have passed since the accident at Anaheim, and there's still lots of work to do. ''I'm doing pretty ood," sa s War- 29 ~

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