Island Classic International Challenge 2019

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.

With the 2019 Island Classic, presented by Visit Phillip Island, this weekend – January 25-27 – Johnson is itching to return to the grid as Australia attempts to overcome super competitive teams from the USA and New Zealand with qualifying Friday morning, and racing Friday afternoon, all day Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are available at the gate from 8am each day.

“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.”

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.

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.

“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.

Big names galore from Kiwis and Team USA

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.

“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.”

Rules & Regs

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 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.

One of the world’s great historic bike meets

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 or 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.

Tickets at the gate

Tickets are available from Friday to Sunday at the gate from 8am. Friday features practice and qualifying across all classes, with racing from Saturday morning to Sunday late.

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.

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26^th International Island Classic

Event Schedule

25^th – 27^th January 2019

Friday 25th January 2019
9:00 am		Start
Q1		Pre-War, 125 Post Classic & Forgotten Era, 250 Post Classic & Classic	15 min
Q2		250 Forgotten Era, 125 New Era & Shannons Insurance 350 Classic	15 min
Q3		500 Forgotten Era & Unlimited Post Classic	15 min
Q4		Unlimited Forgotten Era – Odds	15 min
Q5		Unlimited Forgotten Era – Evens	15 min
Q6		Shannons Insurance 500 Post Classic	15 min
Q7		Pablo’s Motorcycle Tyres New Era Formula 750	15 min
Q8		350 Forgotten Era & Unlimited Classic	15 min
Q9		Shannons Insurance 500 Classic & 350 Post Classic	15 min
Q10		International Challenge – Slowest 50%	8 min
Q11		International Challenge – Fastest 50%	8 min
Q12		250 New Era & 250 New Era Production	15 min
Q13		Pablo’s Motorcycle Tyres New Era Formula 1300	15 min
Q14		500 New Era	15 min
E1*		Pre-War, 125 Post Classic & Forgotten Era, 250 Post Classic & Classic	4 Laps
E2*		250 Forgotten Era, 125 New Era & Shannons Insurance 350 Classic	4 Laps
E3*		500 Forgotten Era & Unlimited Post Classic	4 Laps
E4*		Unlimited Forgotten Era – Premier	4 Laps
E5*		Unlimited Forgotten Era  – Minor	4 Laps
Q15		International Challenge – Slowest 50%	8 min
Q16		International Challenge – Fastest 50%	8 min
E6*		Shannons Insurance 500 Post Classic	4 Laps
E7*		Pablo’s Motorcycle Tyres New Era Formula 750	4 Laps
5:00 pm		Finish
* Points awarded toward the Phil Irving Perpetual trophy

Saturday 26th January 2019
9:00 am		Start
E8*		350 Forgotten Era & Unlimited Classic	4 Laps
E9*		Shannons Insurance 500 Classic & 350 Post Classic	4 Laps
E10*		250 New Era & 250 New Era Production	4 Laps
E11*		Pablo’s Motorcycle Tyres New Era Formula 1300	4 Laps
E12*		500 New Era	4 Laps
E13*		Pre-War, 125 Post Classic & Forgotten Era, 250 Post Classic & Classic	5 Laps
E14*		250 Forgotten Era, 125 New Era & Shannon’s Insurance 350 Classic	5 Laps
E15*		500 Forgotten Era & Unlimited Post Classic	5 Laps
E16*		Unlimited Forgotten Era – Premier	5 Laps
E17*		Unlimited Forgotten Era – Minor	5 Laps
D1		Demonstration Lap	2 Laps
E18		International Challenge	6 Laps
E19*		Shannons Insurance 500 Post Classic	5 Laps
E20*		Pablo’s Motorcycle Tyres New Era Formula 750	5 Laps
E21*		350 Forgotten Era & Unlimited Classic	5 Laps
E22*		Shannons Insurance 500 Classic & 350 Post Classic	5 Laps
E23*		250 New Era & 250 New Era Production	5 Laps
E24*		Pablo’s Motorcycle Tyres New Era Formula 1300	5 Laps
E25*		500 New Era	5 Laps
D2		Demonstration Lap	2 Laps
E26		International Challenge	6 Laps
E27*		Pre-War, 125 Post Classic & Forgotten Era, 250 Post Classic & Classic	4 Laps
E28*		250 Forgotten Era, 125 New Era & Shannons Insurance 350 Classic	4 Laps
E29*		500 Forgotten Era & Unlimited Post Classic	4 Laps
E30*		Unlimited Forgotten Era – Premier	4 Laps
5.00pm		Finish
* Points awarded toward the Phil Irving Perpetual trophy

Sunday 27th January 2019
9:00 am		Start
E31*		Unlimited Forgotten Era – Minor	4 Laps
E32*		Shannons Insurance 500 Post Classic	4 Laps
E33*		Pablo’s Motorcycle Tyres New Era Formula 750	4 Laps
E34*		350 Forgotten Era & Unlimited Classic	4 Laps
E35*		Shannons Insurance 500 Classic & 350 Post Classic	4 Laps
E36*		250 New Era & 250 New Era Production	4 Laps
E37*		Pablo’s Motorcycle Tyres New Era Formula 1300	4 Laps
E38*		500 New Era	4 Laps
D3		Demonstration	2 Laps
E39		International Challenge	6 Laps
E40*		Pre-War, 125 Post Classic & Forgotten Era, 250 Post Classic & Classic	5 Laps
E41*		250 Forgotten Era, 125 New Era & Shannon’s Insurance 350 Classic	5 Laps
E42*		500 Forgotten Era & Unlimited Post Classic	5 Laps
E43*		Unlimited Forgotten Era – Premier	5 Laps
E44*		Unlimited Forgotten Era – Minor	5 Laps
E45*		Shannons Insurance 500 Post Classic	5 Laps
E46*		Pablo’s Motorcycle Tyres New Era Formula 750	5 Laps
E47*		350 Forgotten Era & Unlimited Classic	5 Laps
Parade		Shannons Insurance Parade Lap	1 Lap
E48		International Challenge	6 Laps
E49*		Shannons Insurance 500 Classic & 350 Post Classic	5 Laps
E50*		250 New Era & 250 New Era Production	5 Laps
E51*		Pablo’s Motorcycle Tyres New Era Formula 1300	5 Laps
E52*		500 New Era	5 Laps
5.00pm		Finish
* Points awarded toward the Phil Irving Perpetual trophy

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Destination Phillip Island naming sponsor for 2019 Island Classic

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Source: MCNews.com.au