Zac Zakowski, after a 1st place finish in round 4 of the GNCC circuit, continued his progression with a win at round one of the AMA National ATV Hare Scramble Series in Berwick, PA this weekend. Although not as big of a series or field of riders, Zac was still challenged by GNCC competitor Rick Cecco, which was sure to lead to an eventful day. After a clean holeshot, Zac held the lead, only losing it to Cecco for a lap or so. At the end of the day, it was a very good off weekend from the GNCC’s for Can-am rider Zac Zakowski.
Zac Zakowski: This weekend was a bit different for all of us here at Zakowski Motorsports compared to the usual hectic weekend of GNCC racing. We drove to Pennsylvania for the first round of the AMA National Hare Scramble Series. The AMA circuit isn’t quite as large as the GNCC’s, but it offers good competition and excellent practice for the following GNCC rounds. When we arrived Friday night, we were only one of 3 campers there. This had us a little worried, until everyone came rolling in early Saturday morning.
After a warm dusty weekend in South Carolina, we woke up to a cold, damp, and wet morning. I was a little less then excited with the weather, after leaving the cold weather of Wisconsin in hopes of a warmer climate. After a slight delay in the morning kid’s race due to some track complications, I suited up and headed to the starting line around 10:30 am. I always am a little nervous running new circuit, because there is always a learning curve with it, like registration, course layout, and time frames, but I usually can adjust fairly well.
After waiting for about ten classes to start (yes we were the last row), we were on our way to what we all thought would be a mud fest from the rain the night before. I edged Cecco out for the holeshot and steered toward the never ending turns and jumps of the motocross track. With motocross not being my favorite, I was happy to head into the woods still holding the lead. With Cecco right on my tail for the first two laps, I tried to stay smooth and steady not to wear myself out. On the third lap, Cecco got by me through one of the motocross sections.
I stayed right with Cecco while trying to keep a decent gap so that I didn’t lose sight of him. He led me for about a good lap before having problems on the hill climb during lap 4. A sport quad had gotten stuck going up the hill, causing Cecco to take a bad line and get wedged between two trees. This left me with a short time frame to put a gap between me and Cecco. I put my head down and charged through the short 5 mile course, whizzing by rocks and lappers. Luckily, I had not popped a tire through the countless rock gardens thanks to Tire Balls.
I had put maybe around a minute gap between me and Cecco once he had got going. I toned it down slightly in an effort not to risk crashing with a lead. With about 3 laps left, the gap between me and 2nd had dwindled to about 30 seconds, thus prompting me to really get on it and hold the lead. The next 2 and a half laps were insane, as I was gliding effortlessly through the woods. Funny thing was I wasn’t even tired. I felt as though we had just started the race and had hours left. I was actually hitting some good sized table tops (which was pretty fun on my 700lb Outlander), and dancing over logs in the Quad-terrain Challenge type section of the course.
I stayed on it for the last 2 miles, not wanting to lose the race after working all day to hold onto the lead. I came up the last hill near the finish line, hearing my engine scream through the Frogz Skins intake and keeping my fingers crossed hoping not to break a driveshaft from the torque of my Janssen Motorsports engine. I crossed the finish line in 1st holding a decent lead of 30 seconds over 2nd place, both happy to have won but sad that the race was over.
The race proved to be a well achieved success, thus bringing me closer to an AMA Championship along with becoming a better and smarter rider for future races to come. Every time I put that helmet on, it is to improve myself in all aspects from riding to my relationship with fellow racers and others in the community. I hope to bring the experience I gained this weekend to round 5 of the GNCC circuit at Loretta Lynn’s dude ranch next weekend. Thanks to everyone again for your help. Look for another report from Tennessee next week! See you there!
Zakowski is running the ATR Chassis Spine, HD Tie Rods, and our Machined Steering Bushings. Look for some new prototype ATR parts to show up on his bike soon!
Huge thanks to everyone for your support.
Can-Am/BRP, Countryside Auto Transport, Janssen Motorsports, Bopp Race Components, All Terrain Research, Tire-Balls, Rath Racing, Straightline Performance, Frogz Skins, OMF Wheels, Ricochet Skids, Ron Woods Racing, Amsoil, Scott USA, Fasst Company, VP Fuels, and Cycra..
