Image: Supplied.

Seven-time AMA Supercross champion Jeremy McGrath sampled Jonathan Rea’s Kawasaki ZX-10RR WorldSBK contender this week at Laguna Seca, the King of Supercross checking off a bucket list experience at the American venue.

McGrath first hit the famous circuit aboard a production Ninja ZX-10R to acclimatise himself to the track layout and conditions before hopping onto Rea’s race-winning machine machine.

“Riding this bike is like a dream for me – I am such a big fan of all of these guys and Jonathan and I have been friends for a while,” McGrath explained. “We’ve been thinking of doing a bike swap for a couple of years now, as he rode motocross with me a couple of years ago.

“Trying to learn the track and the bike was a steep learning curve, and I wish I could’ve stayed out all day. This track is another one I can check off the bucket list. After riding the Corkscrew, it was like a motocross berm, so it was really fun. I wanted to stay out and go faster but I’ve had a great day, I played it smart and I loved it!”

Four-time defending WorldSBK champion Rea added: “It’s always great to see Jeremy, especially letting loose on our Ninja ZX-10RR. I was impressed at how fast he was able to get the hang of things. The ‘King’ is even fast on the tarmac. It just goes to show the natural talent he has on anything with two wheels.

“It was such a special day and fun to be the one watching from the sidelines instead of riding this time. It was fun to coach him along on an unfamiliar track and show him the differences between the dirt and tarmac.”

After visiting Laguna Seca last weekend, the WorldSBK now heads into an extended European summer break, resuming on 6-8 September at Portimao in Portugal.