THERE'S a shelf in Zac Salmon's house with an increasing lean, groaning under the added weight of his 32nd trophy for the year. Or maybe it's his 33rd. Zac's lost count And this is just for 2024. 2023 was also a stand-out for this young athlete securing a trove of trophies in his debut year, with Rotary and the Mansfield Courier recognising this emerging dirt bike star with an Encouragement Award at the annual Sportperson of the Year Awards. Not that he needs much encouragement. This eight year old has his eyes firmly on the prize, and with a goal to compete in the United States next year if he maintains his current momentum and stays in the top three for his sport he's well on his way. Zac is officially the third fastest boy on two wheels in the country in his age group, the seven to nine year olds, with the Mansfield Primary School student taking out the title at the 2024 Australian Junior Track Championship held in Forbes over August 10 and 11. It was the fifth time the national competition was hosted by the Forbes Auto Sports Club at the Daroobalgie Speedway in New South Wales, and the second time Zac had competed at this level on this track, taking out 14th last year, before his recent podium finish. Zac said he felt great going into the finals after a packed two-day schedule that saw him place second in three of the four heats in the Saturday build-up and earn fourth fastest spot going into the big race. "Forbes would be my favourite track to race," Zac said. "Because, it's fast." Sunday opened with 110 riders completing a parade lap, before lining up for the national anthem and then heading into a day of tough competition. Mum Nicole said they knew Zac was riding well approaching the finals, but with some very fast kids on the track they weren't assured of a top three placing. Taking the lead early on, Zac dropped back to second in the third and fourth lap of the 600 metre track. He maintained form before being pipped at the post by number 12 going into the final couple of laps, eventually taking out third on the homeward stretch. Hitting speeds of 97 kilometres per hour on his 50cc, mum Nicole admits watching Zac compete is a nerve-racking experience, with the two minute race demanding maximum focus from the young rider. At the end of the weekend Zac is exhausted, both mentally and physically. But when you're committing 110 per cent to a sport and getting results it's all part and parcel. Third on the 50cc, Zac is also the fourth fastest rider in his age group on the 65cc revving it up to 105 kilometres per hour. It is on the 65 and the 85 that Zac will compete in 2025, again competing over two classes as he moves up into the next age group, the nine to 13 year olds. "He gets to play with the big boys then," said Nicole, with Zac to be endorsed on the bigger bike by the end of the year. However that's a few months off. Zac has to first defend his newly-gained title at the end of September, with the second round of dirt track nationals taking place in Mildura. The Victorian state titles also fall during October, rounding out the titles season, and with Zac already securing a couple of championships in local clubs like Mildura and Albury, he's feeling confident going into competition. With a goal to be the very best and eventually compete at an international level, Zac is mindful of always bringing his A-game and with that a podium finish. He came off his bike about a year ago in Broadford - his concentration thrown by an overtaking competitor - but notching it up to experience he's learnt from the accident. "At some point we will consider getting a coach for Zac," said Nicole. "But at the moment it's all driven by Zac's own motivation, his innate talent and self-belief." And the help of some older riders at the Harley Club in Broadford who have mentored this young gun, along with the support of his family; Team Salmon committing every weekend to Zac realising his dreams. Sister Bella is the photographer (remaining level-headed during the heat of the moment), dad Jason is the chief mechanic and Nicole has settled comfortably into the role of team manager and finance. Travelling either to train or compete every weekend, Zac also puts in the hard yards during the week after school riding on a flat track carved out of a paddock on his Pa's property. On Tuesday night Zac swims at Benalla, and three days a week he takes part in the primary school's Jolly Joggers program maintaining his fitness for what is a demanding discipline, the physicality of dirt bike racing not to be underestimated. However when you're doing something you love it doesn't feel like work, with Zac well on his way to achieving his dream of one day becoming a professional dirt bike racer. Honing his technique on both the state and national circuit, this year three student is looking to conquer the world.
