Diener wins 24-hour

From Kawasaki: Shane Diener has once again proved that he is the undisputed King of the South Australia 24 Hour Trial by winning the 2008 event outright on board his Kawasaki KLX450R, making it five in a row and ten outright wins from twenty starts. We (SA Dirt Bikes) couldn't have asked for more with the 24hr being Shane's first ride back after dislocating his shoulder a few weeks ago.

On board his Kawasaki KLX450R, Shane did what no one else has ever been able to do by winning five 24 Hour Trials in row and a total of ten outright, making him the most successful rider ever in The 24 Hour Trials history. In an event where many riders are just happy to finish, Shane has shown pure grit and determination by going out and doing what he does best.. Winning!

Shane didn't have it all his way with Leigh Bentley (2nd last year) pushing hard until a 2nd lap crash saw him break his collar bone, ending his chance there and then. Shane's team mate, Dale Newman, put in some impressive times until a broken header pipe cost him a podium position. To his credit he repaired the header pipe and still managed to finish.. Craig Douglas, from Dirt Action, was in the mix from the very start on the SA Dirt Bikes prepared Kawasaki KLX450R and posted some very fast times until he missed a course sign which cost him 100 points and a 4th outright, he now has some unfinished business.

Craig says, "Gee it was tough on the 3rd lap when the body is wanting to shut down, it's like doing a 4 day, but it's non-stop with no rest, I'll be back next year that's for sure".

Shane Diener was very happy with his results, saying, "It's great to win. Tom Oye was a big surprise, it's was the quickest I've seen him ride, his riding has improved heaps of late and it's starting to pay off. At the end of the third lap I was really angry, tired and just lacking fitness due to no bike time in the lead up. The shoulder was great, no dramas at all, although it did play on my mind for the entire event, as I didn't want to put my Safari plans in danger, so my speed was lacking a little too. To win five in a row and ten outright is great but our main goal this year is The Australian Safari. I'm sure later in life when I stop riding it will mean much more when looking back on my achievements. I'll look forward to the time when the likes of Grabbo, Smith's and maybe the Ballard's team come over and race too".

"A huge thanks to the team at SA Dirt Bikes and Kawasaki for helping to make things happen, my wife Tanya and my family, Steve at Betta Bikes for the lighting and my sponsors, Fox, Alpinestar, DID chains, Greenslade Graphics, Twin Air, Tag, Bark Busters, B & B products, Bendix Brakes, Argo Weld, Altegra Pit Tents, Motul Lubricants and everyone else who has helped.

With the inclusion of great Australian magazines like Dirt Action and Trailzone competing on board SA Dirt Bikes prepared KLX450R's, the event will surely continue to grow and gain even more exposure. Many interstate riders also came over to have crack at this truly unique event with many riders commenting it was one of the best 24 Hour Trial's in years with very little time spent on bitumen roads making it much more enjoyable on the transport sections. The crowd was huge and without dramas anywhere, we will continue to see more and more people planning their racing year around the 24 Hour Trial. The number of people camped out on the route and cheering you each and every time you came past was sensational.

Well done to the committee and all the people who helped to put this event together as it was the best run event in years. Make sure you all do yourself a favour and get over one year and have a crack at the famous 24 Hour Trial and see if anyone can dethrone "The King" Shane Diener.