Described as the hardest Trial in Australian Trials history, the 2009 Australian Moto Trials Championships was held over the weekend of Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th of August at Pacific Park Waterski Gardens, Cattai, NSW. The nations best riders were ready for battle and tough competition was added by the entry of New Zealand’s National Champion, Jake Whitaker.
Day 1 surprised the competitors as each of the 15 sections produced great challenges in the terrain and a rushed effort to complete within the 90-second time limit. A major concern for most riders was the overall time limit as the organisers set a massive challenge of completing 3 laps of the 15 sections, which spread across 3 valleys. In most State Championship events the same riders struggled to finish 3 laps of 10 sections within the same overall time limit. The weather also played havoc with strong winds, a sprinkle of rain but in the end the conditions were very hot, dry and dusty.
New South Wales riders Colin Zarczynski (Motorex Sherco) and Kyle Middleton (Gas Gas) lead the field after the first lap with both producing a score of 42 out of a possible 75. Kiwi hopeful, Jake Whitaker (Montesa) who had been tagged as the favourite leading into the event, followed closely on 43. The sections were unforgiving and demanded the rider's respect, each element required a lot of concentration or a quick maximum penalty would soon follow. With the overall time limit playing on the riders minds, many decided to take the maximum 5 point penalty on a number of sections so they could concentrate on the sections that were a bit easier, faster to ride and had less potential for injury.
Colin Zarczynski emerged as leader on Day 1 with 123 penalty points, finding it hard to get a competitive edge on his rivals as most points were dropped in the same sections. Middleton secured second place, 2 points behind Colin but 8 points clear of third placed Whitaker.
Colin said, "I thought my first lap was terrible so I refused to look at the lap scores all day. It was very satisfying to see I was winning at the end of such a long day. I knew I could have done better but I had to move on and get ready for the next days competition".
Overcast conditions greeted the riders on Day 2. The temperature rose to 18 degrees and the dust got thicker as the riders geared up for another big day. Organisers wisely reduced the lap count from 3 to 2 after concerns from the competitors. With a tough trial, injuries will follow. From Saturdays competition injury reports included, 1 dislocated knee, 1 broken ankle and 1 shoulder dislocation. Second placed, Kyle Middleton soon joined the injury list on Lap 1 of the second day after injuring his ankle and retiring from the event.
Day 2 saw a resurgence from the Aussie riders, Neil Price (Beta) assisted the organisers on Saturday afternoon to review the section severity for Sundays competition and then placed second on day 2 but third overall. Kevin Zarczynski (Fox Motorex Gas Gas ) produced the best first lap on day 2 taking third on the day but 4th overall by a mere 1 point behind Price. Tom Scott (Beta) produced his best ever result on day 2 taking 5th position on the day but 10th overall.
The ever consistent, tough as nails, Colin Zarczynski kept ahead of the field all weekend and by the end of the 2 days held a commanding lead 29 points ahead of second place, then a mere 6 points separated 2nd to 4th.
Colin said, "This was a demanding trial, I am very proud to be the first person in Australian History to win my 5th Open Solo Trials Championship. It is my 7th year as the best Australian rider and with the birth of my son, Cody, and running my business, I am very happy I have maintained my riding level".
Colin would like to thank Moto Central, Sherco Australia, Don and Deb Murray, Motorex Oils, Dunlop Tyres and his family for all their support in 2009. Special thanks to Mitch Coffey for his excellent minding skills during the Championship.
