Both Sakakibara and Kennedy dominated from the first moto of the day to the final gate drop, taking out their respective Superclass events.
Sakakibara’s consistency was a highlight of the evening’s racing, clocking 31-second range laps all day long, as well as being the only Superclass woman to drop a 31-second lap time.
“I’m wrapped – one of the main things I came back to Australia for was these National Championships,” Sakakibara said.
“I’m so happy that I was able to come and especially in a place like Nerang ... I freaking love it here.
“I think after today it definitely has given me a confidence boost. I felt that coming into this weekend I haven’t been where I want to be to race at my best but I’m here to have fun, catch up with the girls again and see everyone who has supported me for this whole year.”
Kennedy, the reigning elite national champion, said there was an element of added pressure racing at his home track.
“It was a pretty good day, pretty nerve-wracking – a bit of pressure but I had a really good day not dropping a lap,” he said.
“I felt good out there, it was kind of a tough day with quick turnarounds, but you just had to recover quickly between the laps.
“I will try and do the same thing (on Monday), just come here and focus on my process. I feel good and if I just focus on that throughout the day, I can back it up.”
Teya Rufus continued the trend of clean-sweep class wins, dominating the women’s Junior Superclass in style ahead of Ashmore BMX Club’s Charlotte Guy.
Nerang rider Flynn Sweeney used every ounce of home turf advantage in the men’s Junior Superclass, pulling off an audacious mid-race passing move to beat fellow local boy Callum Howarth.
Sweeney dropped only one moto all day en route to grabbing early bragging rights ahead of the all-important National Championship crowning day on Monday.
