This Little Ripper Just Wants To Go Fast!
Story By: Tyler Tate
Photos Provided by: Paul and Reed Rather
In the infamous words of Ricky Bobby, “I just wanna go fast.” For eight year old Reed Rather, “I wanna go fast” is his racing style.
“My favorite thing about racing is going full gas and passing people,” said Reed. Try to remember what you were doing at 8 years old and we would venture to guess that most of you werent driving and competing for podiums. Reed is just barely halfway to his drivers license! With eight more years of racing till that happens, want to bet he aces his driving test?
It seems like the youngster has the racing basics down. Go fast, pass people and go for the win. But for Reed’s father Paul, teaching Reed the finer points of racing to an eight year old that is still learning life concepts proves to be a chore.
UTV: Besides going fast and passing people, what is your favorite part about racing?
Reed: Nothing is more fun than going full gas. I love to win but I love to go fast. When I pass people I get a big smile on my face.
UTV: How do you get into racing at such a young age of 6 years old?
Reed: I grew up in racing. My dad and my grandpa all raced motorcycles. Me and my dad decided having the cage was the better route to go so my dad built me an Ace 150 when I was 6 and I have been racing around in that till I was able to drive a little better. I love being able to drive my own car. About a year ago I changed the car and moved to a RZR 170. I am currently leading in points for my age group.
UTV: How does your Dad help you during racing?
Reed: We talk a lot while I am driving. He helps to tell me when to go full gas or to slow down and enter into turns. He helps talk me through the entire race. He helps to learn how to enter and exit turns, when to hit the gas and when to be patient and wait for my turn to pass. My dad does a good job in helping me learn and understand the parts about racing that make sense to me. Reed’s dad Paul says, “If he had his way he would be all gas all the time. We tried that and he rolled it.”
I also do a lot of practicing with my dad. We have a VR set up and I also have a go kart that I can practice on our track at. Lots of practice and training.
UTV: What races do you want to race in this summer?
Reed: We are in the summer break for the series I race here in Arizona so we are planning to go race in TexPlex, Oklahoma, maybe some races back east and the Mini Mint 400.
UTV: What do you like to do when you are not racing?
Reed: I don’t like to do much else except racing and driving my go kart.
He is a man of few words but when you are eight and leading in the points for your age class, you can just let your racing do the talking. Reed would like to thank his sponsors: Wickenburg Custom Painting, Xtreme Machine and Fabrication, Dynomite Performance, TrophyLite, Big O Tires, Wickenburg Global Powersports, Blud Lubricants and Creations In Thread.
