| Get set for an Aussie Long Weekend of Historic Bikes with Island Classic |
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GET SET FOR AN AUSSIE LONG WEEKEND OF
HISTORIC BIKES WITH ISLAND CLASSIC |
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Long weekends are for great getaways, and Phillip Island has the perfect offering with the 26th International Island Classic, presented by Visit Phillip Island, being staged this January 25-27 at the Grand Prix Circuit.
Considered one of the world’s leading historic bike meets, the Classic provides a perfect excuse to escape to the seaside island for three days of motorcycles and racing, mixed with camping in the great outdoors, some beach time and a dash or two of hospitality from the friendly people of Cowes.
Tickets are available at the gate from 8am each day, with kids 15 and under free if accompanied by a full-paying adult.
All details on the event at islandclassic.com.au. |
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| | | In This Edition...
| » | Johnson heads Aussie Defence | | » | Aussie Team effort required | | » | Strong Kiwis & Team USA | | » | Rules & Regs | | » | New format for FIM Road Race | | » | Ride in Shannons Parade Lap | | » | A Century of Motorcycling | | » | Tickets at the Gate |
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Qualifying is staged on Friday morning across several classes of bikes dating back nearly a century. Racing runs from Friday afternoon, and all day Saturday and Sunday. Click here for the agenda, just to get you a little bit excited…
Where to stay you may ask? The easy answer is to camp at the circuit, with four nights under the stars for just $84 per adult, with kids 15 and under free if accompanied by an adult. Bring your tent! Campground entry is from 8am Thursday via gate 2, 24 hours per day. |
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If you feel like a few more creature comforts contact www.visitphillipisland.com.au for lots of other accommodation options from motels and hotels, to rental apartments and houses.
Highlight event for the weekend is the International Challenge, with Australia defending the title it won back from the UK in 2018, against super strong teams from New Zealand and Team USA.
Click here to see the full entry list for the International Challenge .
Included in the line-up is three times British Superbike Champion, John Reynolds, who will be racing for New Zealand under the Taupo based Carl Cox team.
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Suzuki bound..John Reynolds to star for Team NZ
John arrived at the island yesterday and we caught up with him at the new Inline 4 Café at Woolamai. If you love bike memorabilia, and good food, check out Inline 4 café this weekend.
Watch John Reynold's YouTube video: It’s an honour and a privilege to be at the Island Classic
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| David Johnson to head Australian Defence |
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| Adelaide racer David Johnson has enjoyed some stellar moments in his motorcycle racing career, but being part of the victorious Australian team in the 2018 International Challenge at last January’s Island Classic historic race meeting was a stand-out. |
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David Johnson to spearhead the Australian defence
“The Aussie victory in 2018 is probably one of the greatest feelings I have had in my racing career, and I have won a lot of races in England and Europe,” said Johnson, who was the leading individual scorer in 2018 after winning two of the four races and finishing second in the others. He’ll campaign the same Suzuki XR69 F1 bike in 2019.
“In 2018 I just rode that XR69 and it was mint, which is a full credit to the guys who built the bike and prepared the suspension. The engine and chassis are just awesome.” |
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| David Johnson, winner Ken Wootton Trophy 2018 |
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| Team effort required from Aussies |
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Johnson, who finished fourth in the Superbike TT at the 2018 Isle of Man, knows that winning the International Challenge isn’t just about one man’s effort: it’s a function of multiple riders finishing well inside the top 10.
His 2019 Australian team includes a batch of stars who are now International Challenge staples: Aussie superbike champions Steve Martin and Shawn Giles, Isle of Man winner Cameron Donald, Jed Metcher and Beau Beaton. |
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Shawn Giles will run the no 19 Katana
Paul Byrne, Aaron Morris, Matthew Fyffe, Craig Ditchburn, Justin Mellerick, Scott Webster and Dean Outghtred complete the 13-rider squad, with Byrne particularly impressive last year in finishing fourth in the individual standings (aka the Ken Wootton Perpetual Trophy since 2013) behind Johnson, Jeremy McWilliams and Corser.
Martin, Metcher and Giles have all won the Ken Wootton trophy, the latter on multiple occasions. |
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Jed Metcher (centre) with the Honda Harris F1 he’ll run – with team captain Rex Wolfenden and John “Buck” Rogers.
“Hopefully there will be a handful of us out in front with a chance of winning races,” continued Johnson. “We just have to be smart about it, as we don’t want to take each other out.
“The young guys want to win pretty badly, as do I. However, if I feel that I’m not fast enough to win, I’m not going to do anything stupid to jeopardise another one of my team members from winning.”
Twelve of the Aussie riders are on booming four-strokes, with Ditchburn taking the two-stroke route on the blazing Yamaha TZ750. |
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| Back for Australia, Beau Beaton, who won the Phil Irving Trophy in 2018. |
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| Seriously Strong Line-up from Kiwis and Team USA |
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All teams are allowed a maximum of 13 riders in the four six-lap International Challenge races, with New Zealand and Team USA boasting super competitive outfits in 2019.
Suzuki-strong, the Kiwis have recruited gun rider, Alex Phillis and aligned with Taupo based Carl Cox Motorsport. The international DJ’s racing arm brings three-time British superbike champion John Reynolds, modern and classic racer Jay Lawrence and MCN road tester, Michael Neeves, into the silver fern fold. |
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“The Australian team is going to have to work together to get the job done. The Kiws will have riders dicing for the race win, and Alex (Phillis) and John (Reynolds) will definitely be up there,” warned Johnson.
“Then the American team. Josh Hayes will be very hard to tame. He’s a four-time AMA Superbike champion.
“And Jason Pridmore was the fastest American rider last year, and I expect their bikes should be a lot more competitive this year.
“Looking at their fleet of Yamaha FJs is quite intimidating! Then with Larry Pegram, Dale Quarterley and Steve Rapp, and now my old team mate Mark Miller, the Americans will be very strong.” |
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| Jason Pridmore returns ready to inflict damage to the Australian effort |
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| | In the US corner, star recruit Josh Hayes |
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| Larry Pegram for Team USA |
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The International Challenge is reserved for bikes manufactured between 1973 and 1984, the only exception being two 1985 Suzuki GSX-Rs models granted dispensation to race under the Kiwi flag in 2019. One year outside the Island Classic eligibility, the two Suzukis will be subject to agreed performance restrictions- comprising of a reduction in RPM limit, an overall weight increase and a reduced rear tyre width to eliminate any possible traction advantage.
To be campaigned by Reynolds and Neeves, the duo’s performance on the Suzuki GSX-Rs will be counted in International Challenge points, but not in the tally for the Ken Wootton Perpetual Trophy that’s awarded to the rider with the highest individual points. |
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| 1985 Suzuki GSX-R approved to race for 2019 with Reynolds and Neeves on board |
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| New format for Island Classic's FIM Oceania Historic Road Race Cup |
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500 New Era bikes to compete in Oceania Historic Road Race Cup
Australia and New Zealand face a second Trans-Tasman battle this weekend, the FIM Oceanic Historic Road Race Cup.
Revamped for 2019 by organisers from FIM Oceania and the circuit, the new regs are designed to create greater parity, more opportunity for all class riders, and a tougher spirit of competition between the nations.
The title will now be fought out across four classes: 350cc Forgotten Era, 500cc Forgotten Era, Unlimited Forgotten Era and 500cc New Era. Forgotten Era bikes were built between 1973 and 1982, and New Era from 1983 to 1990. |
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Unlimited Forgotten Era ready for the Trans-Tasman battle
The maximum number of riders that can qualify will be three from each country in each class. Upon completion of the qualifying sessions the closest lap times will be matched between three NZ and three Australian riders for each class.
“The new format of the competition gives the club racer the chance to compete for their country and really creates a competition of true parity. And let’s face it – Australia and New Zealand love a friendly competition,” said Fergus Cameron, managing director of the Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit.
“There’ll be six spots in each class available via our 2019 qualification method, three for Aussies and three for New Zealand. Spots won’t necessarily go to the rider who sets the fastest time, but the group of riders that set final qualifying times in the closest proximity to another.”
The New Zealand and Australian teams will be announced Friday evening and all points accumulated by each team member over racing on Saturday and Sunday will be tallied to make the final team score. |
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| 500 Forgotten Era will contest Oceania FIM the FIM Oceanic Historic Road Race Cup. |
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| Ride the Circuit in the Shannons Parade Lap |
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This is your chance to ride a lap of the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit at an international event. Proudly sponsored by Shannons Insurance, you simply need to register at the event with your pre 1990 non-competition motorcycle to be selected.
Either complete the nomination form via the link below or register on the day at the Shannons Insurance trade alley site between 9.00am – 12.00pm Sunday 27th.
All participants in the Shannons Parade Lap must have a valid event ticket.
More info: www.islandclassic.com.au/shannons-parade-lap. |
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| A Century of Motorcycling |
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| The 26th International Island Classic, presented by Visit Phillip Island, is one of the world’s great historic bike meets. Riders and fans from around the globe converge to celebrate a century of motorcycling with more than 450 bikes on display and competing in 56 races across classes from pre-WW1 bikes through to Vintage (1920-1945), Classic and Post Classic (from 1946 to 1972) and the more recent Forgotten Era and New Era classes. |
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Tickets are available from Friday to Sunday at the gate from 8am.
Children 15 and under are free, accompanied by a full-paying adult.
Camp at the circuit for an ultra-affordable Australia Day long weekend, with four nights for $84 per adult (with children 15 and under free to camp and enter the circuit). Campground opens at 8am Thursday, with 24/7 access via Gate 2.
For event information go to www.islandclassic.com.au or ring the circuit on 03 5952 2710.
Photocredit: Images thanks to Russell Colvin, Graeme Brown at 2SNAP and Andrew Gosling |
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| Lots to do at Phillip Island…go karting |
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| Or squeeze in some beach time with the fam! |
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