Gas Gas riders comprised almost one third of the entire field and enjoyed a successful day at the opening round of the NSW trials championship, hosted by the Bankstown Wiley Park club at Appin, on the southern outskirts of Sydney.
With Gas Gas Australia having relocated the Sydney from Melbournce over the summer off season, this event marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Spanish marque in this countries most competitive multi-round state championship series.
Gas Gas Australia are also proud sponsors of the NSW championship series, and new principle Paul Arnott was on hand to support the ever growing number of Gas Gas riders with encouragement, parts and technical support.
In the overall open class, run over the most difficult expert course, Kyle Middleton (GRO-Dunlop Gas Gas) finished second by just a single point behind visiting Kiwi rider Jake Whittaker, after three laps of the very long but not difficult sections.
Kevin Zarczynski (Fox-Motorex Gas Gas) was caught out by the 90 second time limit several times during the opening laps of the trial, clearly a bit rusty at going fast in the sections in the first national event in NSW since last November, and finished in fourth place.
After several years travelling overseas and taking in different trials events across Europe, Mick Byrne returned to the NSW competitive scene at this event, giving up his time to mark out the expert course, and showing he is almost back to his best in finishing fifth overall.
Younger brother Jason Byrne continued his drive toward to top with a fine third place in A grade, behind riders of far greater age and experience, while Zac Hale showed he is a name to watch out for this year, finishing fifth on his 125cc Raga replica Gas Gas, and totally hosing his dad Garan by six points!
Gas Gas pilots dominated both extremes of the age classes, firstly with Jared Boniface putting in an excellent ride in the under 200cc Juniors to win with the best score of the entire field over the clubman level course, ahead of GG teamster Thomas Ring.
The Veterans class is the largest and most tightly contested class in the series, and Steve Holzhauser put in the kind of quality riding that has made him a multi time national champion, winning ahead of Greg Nordsvan, with Ross Middleton fourth.
Round 2 of the NSW series will be held on Sunday 23rd May by the Manly Warringah club at Pacific Park Ski Gardens.
Kevin Zarczynski, for Gas Gas Australia press