Kevin Zarczynski (Gas Gas) finished just one point off the podium with a strong fourth outright and third Aussie at the 2009 Xispa Australian Trials Championships held at Pacific Park west of Sydney over 29th-30th August.
The event was defined by overly ambitious sections for the solo class, which were both too severe and far too long for riders to complete within the 90 second per section time allowance. The level was that of a world trials championship on the first day, with three laps of 15 sections being more than the two laps of 15 in a world trial, and day one leader Colin Zarczynski losing over 40 points per lap from a possible maximum of 75 points per lap.
Kevin Zar started out with a clean first section, before several severe crashes on the opening lap saw him in 9th place after the first lap. Lap two was the beginning of resurgence, leading onto the third loop where Kevin posted the best final lap to move up into fourth place by the end of the day with a loss of 144 points. Brother Colin Z held the lead with a loss of 123 marks.
Day two started out with another clean, with the clerk of course having taken one solo rider out onto the day 2 course to ease of the level of difficulty, and the number of laps set at two laps for Sunday. The sections were far more rideable, with Kevin Zar again posting the best lap.
Although he did not know it, this moved Kevin into second position overall with just one lap remaining. The change to Gas Gas machinery for 2009 was paying off, the bike never missing a beat all weekend despite the punishing course.
The final lap started out well, before a couple of small mistakes ended up with big five point losses, and a miscalculation with the finish time saw Kevin drop a few too many marks to hold his position, eventually finishing just one point off third, and six points behind second place, and third Australian overall.
“I’m a bit disappointed to finish fourth when I was so close to the runner-up position, but I am happy with how I have adapted to the course and really improved my riding during this event” offers Kevin. “I finished third Aussie, and ahead of all but one of the riders selected for the Trial des Nations”
Kevin would like the thank Fox clothing, Motorex oils, Dunlop tyres, Renthal, Gearne, Gas Gas and his family for their fantastic support during 2009.
Today Kevin departs for Spain for the penultimate round of the world trials championships, ahead of the final round in France the following weekend, then the Ladies and Mens Trial des Nations where he will be a minder for the Ladies team and then brother Colin in the mens event.