Kevin Archer heads to Sibiu to race 2023 Red Bull Romaniacs – like daughter like father. Sharing the same genes is one thing, pursuing goals with relentless drive and passion is quite another, as do Kevin himself and daughter Rachael Archer who currently leads America’s GNCC WXC Championship with 3 Rounds to go.
Flying out tomorrow to race FIM Hard Enduro World Championship Round 3, Kevin spoke about planning to race Romaniacs on the event’s 20th anniversary on July 25 -29 2023, having won Silver class back in 2015.
Now, entering the most physically and mentally demanding race for the 5th time, Kevin draws on wealth of experience to not only compete against the clock and equally determined field of 155 rider’s in Silver category, but also to battle the brutal elements of the race set in the Carpathian mountains.
As Kevin states:’Romaniacs is full on and out to break you. Mentally, the first year is about learning, then following years I have picked up more experience to totally focus on the race itself during the event. It is so mentally draining over the course of Prologue through to Days 1 – 4, that only a small percentage of rider’s actually make it to the finish. The route is out to break you – it will be hot, 31 degrees at the moment, we will climb to 6,000 feet elevation and drop back down to 1,000′.
All of which suggests, the Archer family never do anything by halves, maxing out on setting and achieving goals which to by-standers seem highly impossible and remarkably courageous. Take Rachael’s accomplishments in the past 4 years. Having raced with Dad, Kevin in Australia’s Hattah race in 2018 at 16 years of age, Rachael pursued long-term goal of racing America’s GNCC WXC Championship from 2019, winning her first Title in 2022.
Certainly, Kevin’s innate sense of living life to the fullest has resonated with Rachael’s desire to achieve goals both on and off the track, not only perfecting her own capabilities of managing her career in America but supporting her Dad in preparation for racing Romaniacs. With unrelenting support from Mum, Lynn, both Kevin and Rachael know deep down, neither would be able to achieve their goals without total committment from family at home.
As Kevin explains: ‘Rachael has always been determined to learn as much as possible about physical fitness, eating healthy meals to optimize performance, and she has helped me prepare for racing Romaniacs. Together with Lynn’s on-going support and management of family operations on the farm when I’m training and racing, it has been a pretty full year so far, together with racing SCORE International Baja’s with team-rider’s Sean Clarke and Robert Creemers’.
Most significantly, competing in Baja Series, winning Rounds 1 and 2 with Rounds 3 and 4 to go, sends clear message to all watching, that Archer family motto of ‘never give up‘ rings as loudly today as when Kevin started his racing career many years ago. Kevin: ‘yes it’s been a busy year, to compete in the world’s longest running Series of Baja International – 55 years to be exact – and to be the first Team to win 2 races ever, outside Mexico, is pretty special’.
From competing in SCORE Baja on CR 450 X, to entering Red Bull Romaniacs on Adrenalin Racing build KTM EXC 300, Kevin looks forward to conquering Red Bull Romaniacs 2023 in a few days time. Same goes for his daughter, who for a few more weeks can enjoy summer break, before knocking off the challenge of taking GNCC WXC Title for a second time.
Header photo: Kevin Archer and Rachael Archer celebrating GNCC WXC Championship win in 2022.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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