The Blayney native is still on a high from winning the recent Pro 250 class at the Australian Senior Track Championships in Qurindi, and he did it on a bike that was being optimised right up to the night before the event.

Sleep was a limited commodity for Sawdy that night but his stunning success the next day made a challenging preparation worthwhile.

"We ended up having to pick the 250 up from West Wyalong and had to take it straight to the track the night before. We got there and still had some work to do on the bike," he said.

"It was still hectic once we got there, putting things like plastics and linkages on. We picked the bike up and ended up getting back to Gunnedah at 3:30 in the morning, then I had to wake up at 5:30 to start work on the bike again.

"We kept working on it right until the first practice. I actually had to go out on my other bike while dad worked on the bike. I jumped on it first race and just had a crack, and we ended up not doing anything else to the bike after that."

Sawdy took on both the Pro 250 and 450 classes at the championships but after just coming up short of a finals appearance in the 450s he turned his attention fully towards the 250 title.

He produced consistent efforts in all three of his Pro 250 heats, with a treble of runner-up results taking him through to the final.

After a scary start in the final Sawdy pulled clear.

"From the get go I thought it was over because it didn't grip up at the start, I spun the wheels, and everyone swamped me. I luckily just got in front and after that I was able to control the race," he said.

Timmy Tobin's Motorcycles in Bathurst has been right behind Sawdy in his ambition to become an Australian champion in his sport, and owner Tobin couldn't be happier to see the Blayney rider's dream become a reality.

"He's worked his way up over the last three years with total dedication. I've watched him grow up from a junior ... and now he's matured into the young man he is today," he said.

"That 250 was basically a cleanskin. It showed up a few weeks before the titles were on and I didn't have time to do much. Shock Treatment did the suspension for him and got everything right. I just helped to supply the tyres.

"I was ecstatic when I heard he'd won. I was bouncing around the workshop. I thought they were kidding me at first. They sent me a video of him winning ... and I've been ecstatic ever since that moment.

"James has been taking it in his stride but his father and I are still in shock. What he's achieved is unreal."

Sawdy said he couldn't thank Tobin and his other supporters enough for the time and money they'd put into his campaign.

"Timmy did so much for me and Dave Norris worked on the KTM to get it quick for the titles. K&M graphics helped to kit me out, and the Exchange Hotel in Blayney has been great," he said.

"Beard Brothers were also great getting the bike because I believe that was the last 250 2021 model in Australia."

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