THE last time Christopher Hays won the opening round of the Australian Karting Championships it was 2012 and he went on to finish the year as national champion.
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The Queenslander will be hoping history repeats itself in 2016 after he took out the KZ2 final at Dubbo's Lincoln County Paceway on Sunday.
The KZ2 final was the main event of the day and it didn't disappoint, with the high-powered karts hitting speeds in excess of 120km/h during the 25 laps.
Hays, driving for the BirelArt Oceania vroom team, started the final from ninth spot on the grid but got to the front early and never looked back.
"It's an awesome feeling, especially in a new kart and not a lot of testing done coming into this round," he said.
"We struggled a bit early on in qualifying and qualifying not so well in ninth place but it worked out in the end.
"It's been a long time since we've had a win and even a podium so we're over the moon."
David Sera began the final in pole position but Daniel Price, also starting on the front row, had the better start and immediately got to the lead.
Sera dropped further off the pace when he went wide around a corner early on and following a little more drama on the track Hays found himself at the front of the field.
"I did expect some crashes at the beginning but I just didn't expect to be in the right position, normally it's the other way but I liked the way it panned out," Hays said.
"It was a long race, leading for 23 laps made it long but enjoyable.
"It was good but the only thing is it's harder leading than chasing so leading for that long is just hard and I would have rather be chasing but in that position the kart was good enough to win."
Price pressured Hays the whole way but could never get past and had to settle for second while New Zealander Ryan Grant came in third.
"It's the perfect start to the champs, it gets us up there and gets us some good points," Hays added.
"You've got to look at the big picture when you're in this position so it was awesome."
There was also plenty of praise for the Dubbo track from all corners and the event was well supported by locals with healthy crowds in attendance each day.
"The Dubbo kart Club has done a great job getting this prepared," Hays added.
"Dubbo is an awesome track, especially in the KZ."