Tag Archives: International Challenge

Team America announced for 2020 Island Classic

Team America for 2020 International Challenge announced


Team America have thrown down the gauntlet to defending champion Australia ahead of the 2020 International Island Classic, which will run at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit this coming Australia Day long weekend (January 24-26).

Island Classic RCimage Larry Pegram
Larry Pegram – Image by Russell Colvin

America’s 12-rider squad for the International Challenge teams’ event not only boasts three riders who finished in the top six of the individual standings in 2019 – Josh Hayes, Larry Pegram and Michael Gilbert – but it’s now also added seven-time Canadian superbike champion Jordan Szoke and former AMA front-runner Taylor Knapp to its ever-strengthening roster.

Island Classic RCimage Josh Hayes Race
Josh Hayes #4 – Image Russ Colvin

Team America also boasts the first woman to take part in the International Challenge – Melissa Paris, who made her professional debut in the 2009 and has world supersport, world endurance, AMA and Spanish CEV experience on her vast CV.

Melissa is the wife of Josh Hayes and said on her inclusion in the US squad, “After hearing what a great time Josh had last January I’m so pumped to go this year!”

Husband Hayes is expected to be a powerhouse for Team America, and the four-time AMA superbike champion – and second on the all-time race winner’s list behind Aussie Mat Mladin – will have fond memories of winning the fourth and final International Challenge race in 2019 on his Yamaha FJ1250.

Josh Hayes

“In the first race of 2019 I was quite taken back by the level of competition on these classic era bikes. Even got my feelings hurt a few times!” said Hayes of his 2019 Island Classic debut. But when I was able to win the 4th and final Challenge race, and returned to our pit to find the captains of all the other teams there to celebrate alongside us, I knew this was a special event, more about 2 wheel passion than business, and something that I wanted to continue to be a part of. In 2019 I was able to test the Mojo Yamaha a handful of times.

Island Classic RCimage Josh Hayes Profile
Josh Hayes – Image Russ Colvin

“Also, I rode in MotoAmerica’s Supersport races at seven events; racing for my wife’s MP13 Racing Yamaha, with her also as my crew chief. The 2020 Island Classic is going to be a family event for me this year with my wife, Melissa, and my 2yr old son, Hawk, joining me. Even better is that Melissa will be riding a Mojo Yamaha TZ-750 in the International Classic races. With her experience of riding all types of motorcycles, and all over the world, I think she will be a strong asset for the American team. For her and Hawk to get to experience Australia again with me also, is just icing on the cake.”

Island Classic RCimage Josh Hayes Metcher
Josh Hayes #4 – Image Russ Colvin

The final race victory of 2019 catapulted Hayes to third in the individual standings on a countback ahead of Aussie Shawn Giles, while Pegram and Gilbert were fifth and sixth.

Dave Crussell will once again captain the American squad, and also on his roster are Jorge Gurero, Joe Pethoud, Brian Filo, Bruce Lind and Robert Ruwoldt.

2017 Island Classic - Dave Crussell
2017 Island Classic – Dave Crussell

The bike of choice for the majority of the team will again be the Yamaha based CMR FJ 1250, while the Americans also have three potent Yamaha TZ750 at their disposal.

America finished second in the 2019 International Challenge behind Australia and ahead of New Zealand, but the addition of Szoke, Knapp and Price could cause some real headaches for Australia which is shooting for its 13th win in 16 starts.

Jordan Szoke IMGBrianCouture
Jordan Szoke – Image by Brian Couture

The Australian team for the International Challenge features David Johnson, Shawn Giles, Jed Metcher, Craig Ditchburn, Aaron Morris, Scott Webster, Cameron Donald, Steve Martin, Beau Beaton, John Allen and Alex Phillis.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom returns to the Interactional Challenge arena in 2020 with a new-look team, which will be announced next week.


Grab your 2020 Island Classic tickets today

The Island Classic, is now in its 27th year, is the largest historic motorcycle racing event in the Southern Hemisphere. The weekend honours a century of motorcycling in three action-packed days, with the International Challenge just one element of an event that celebrates the splendour of historic racing across all levels.

Island Classic RCimage Larry Pegram Metcher Pack
2019 Island Classic – Image by Russell Colvin

As well the International Challenge, the Island Classic includes 52 other races for machines across the six historic racing categories: Veteran (up to 1919), Vintage (1920-1945), Classic (1946-1962), Post Classic (1963-1972), Forgotten Era (1973-1982) and New Era (1983-1990).

Individual accolades will also include the Phil Irving Perpetual Trophy, awarded to the rider who accrues the most points outside the International Challenge races, for the highest scorer in the non-International Challenge events.

IIC Phillip Island Rob Mott Sunday Start Aaron Morris Steve Martin
2019 Island Classic – Image by Rob Mott

Qualifying will begin on Friday for all classes, followed by a full program of racing on Saturday and Sunday. For more information and tickets, visit www.islandclassic.com.au (link). Pre-purchase and save on general admission and camping tickets, with children under 15 free.

Source: MCNews.com.au

John Reynolds on the 2019 Island Classic

2019 Island Classic Interview

Three-time British Superbike Champion John Reynolds made his first visit to the Island Classic this year and competed in the International Challenge races under the Team New Zealand banner.

Consistent results throughout the weekend saw Reynolds finish equal sixth in the overall individual points scores taken from the four by six-lap International Challenge racs.


Phil: John Reynolds, three times BSB champion, first visit to Phillip Island for quite some time and probably first ride at this track on a classic motorcycle as well, sum up your thoughts of the weekend.

John Reynolds: “It’s been a fantastic week, it’s been hard work to be honest with you. The circuit I know, but it’s so hard to get every single apex right, and when you’re on a brand new bike that you’ve never ridden before, and it’s a classic bike as well, you don’t know how fast and how hard to push, and of course Phillip Island is one of the fastest circuits in the world. So there’s going to be crashes, there’s gonna be big ones, I’ve been cautious, as I didn’t want to damage anything, myself or the bike, but we chipped away and the bike honestly was absolutely brilliant. It got quicker and quicker as the week went on, and ended up doing half decent time so I’m really happy.”

Island Classic RCimage John Reynolds Profile
John Reynolds – Image Russ Colvin

Phil: Alan Cathcart said this is one of the most prestigious and biggest classic events in the world, you’re thoughts?

John: “I’ll go with that, throughout the world the classic scene is massive, it’s massive in the UK and certainly in Australia. So many beautiful bikes and so many interesting stories of what we’ve got and how we became, it’s fascinating. It’s truly an eye opening insight into the Australian classic world.”

Island Classic RCimage John Reynolds Aaron Morris
John Reynolds – Image Russ Colvin

Phil: You’re probably a household name with your BBS victories in England, were you surprised by how many people know about your exploits here in Australia

John: “Yes it’s been mind blowing, I obviously keep an eye on who’s doing well in the Australian Championships and in the USA and you know we’re all mates. We don’t know each other but we all know of each other, if you know what I mean. We keep an eye on each other, it’s great, Josh Hayes is a legend, and it’s been an absolutely brilliant week. I’ve made so many friends, and people I’ve known about but never spoken to, and now I can actually say I know them.”

Island Classic RCimage John Reynolds Oughtred Long
John Reynolds – Image Russ Colvin

Phil: Are you surprised how hard the guys were prepared to push?

John: “Yea to be honest with you. I knew it was going to be pretty quick, but my god these guys were absolutely on the ragged edge. I’m not prepared to push that hard, but I slowly and gently got quicker and quicker, as the time went out, but I could do with two or three more days actually.”

Phil: Seems that there will be four more days, this time next year. Can we pen your name in for team UK or team New Zealand next year?

John: “You can certainly put my name down for that one, but obviously you need a ride, the bike, and the team around you. I’ve been working with the Carl Cox SGB – Suzuki Great Britain and without them helping this wouldn’t happen. So a massive thanks to Carl Cox and his team, for helping us achieve what we did. It’s just been a mind blowing week, there’s so many interesting people.”

Island Classic RCimage Shawn Giles Reynolds
John Reynolds #7 chasing Shawn Giles #19 – Image Russ Colvin

Phil: Congratulations on your effort and great to see you here john.

John: Thanks so much.


Ken Wootton Perpetual Trophy

  1. Steve Martin AUS 152 points
  2. Aaron Morris AUS 150 points
  3. Josh Hayes USA 141 points
  4. =Shawn Giles AUS 141 points
  5. Larry Pegram USA 130 points
  6. Michael Gilbert USA 128 points
  7. =John Reynolds NZ 128 points
  8. Mark Miller USA 121 points
  9. Craig Ditchburn 120 points
  10. Barrett Long 114 points

2019 International Challenge Points – Three Nations

  1. Australia – 676 points
  2. USA – 634 points
  3. New Zealand – 460 points

Source: MCNews.com.au

Shawn Giles on the 2019 Island Classic

2019 Island Classic Interview

It has been a somewhat frustrating time in recent years for the TBR/D&D pairing of Steve Martin and Shawn Giles, but 2019 saw them steadily get on top of their set-up.

Steve Martin went on to take top individual honours across the four six-lap Island Classic International Challenge races, while Shawn Giles finished equal third with America’s Josh Hayes.

Phil caught up with Shawn after the event for rundown on the 2019 Island Classic through the eyes of Shawn Giles.


Phil Harlum: Three-times Australian Superbike champion Shawn Giles, a good weekend but it could have been a lot better without a couple of minor mechanical gremlins.

Shawn Giles: “Yea, I think it was the second race on Saturday, I went to go out and when the bike was fired up by the boys it was misfiring. They had the tank off, actually the plug leads had got mixed up, so I had to start from pit lane. I had to come from last through to 12th I think (it was 12th), I can’t remember exactly, where I finished. Full credit to the team they built a new bike for us this year and a new chassis, Phil Tainton had done some suspension work, I spoke to the boys about some geomoetry and Dale Gilbert built a new chassis. The bike feels awesome, but we’re still finding our feet with it, and the last two races it was getting better and better. So if there’s anyone out there who wants to sponsor us (laughs), it’d be great just to get some time on the track and get the bike better. Overall I was really happy with the weekend, there was a bad crash there in the first race yesterday and Jason Pridmore had some quite bad injuries, and Beau Beaton was involved, so I don’t like seeing that. But for us being able to race this Island Classic, it’s a fantastic event and thanks to Ken Wootton for telling me about it after I retired racing. He said, ‘You should come to the Island Classic’ and I’m glad I did. I really really enjoy racing here, once every year, and you know I don’t race anymore, but once a year for the Island Classic… it’s a truly special event, and I hope I can do many more.”

Island Classic RCimage Shawn Giles
Shawn Giles – Image Russ Colvin

Phil: This year was a little bit different, with the UK team not turning up in the usual strong numbers, but a very strong challenge from the USA, including a lot of guys you wouldn’t have raced against before. How was it to race against those guys, like Josh Hayes, who won four national championships and only gave up racing just over a year ago.

Shawn: “Considering Josh had never seen the circuit before, Phillip Island is a hard circuit to master and he seemed to do that pretty well. To come out with the last race win was certainly showing us that he’s very versatile and able to get hold of Phillip Island. It was a great weekend and the American team was really strong, so I guess it’s gone from the Ashes to the America’s Cup, and they had a really good strong field. I’m sure they’ll make it even better in 2020. Jason (Pridmore) was really fast, unfortunately he had that accident and I hope he’s better, and I hope Beau’s better too.”

Island Classic RCimage Pegram Morris Martin Giles Metcher
Pegram, Morris, Martin, Giles and Metcher – Image Russ Colvin

Phil: Take that pit lane start out of your performance, this weekend, you had to be happy with how you’ve gone on the bike. As you said it was a brand new bike, really untested, so it looks like the team’s on the right track and sets up a pretty good strong chance for 2020.

Shawn: “Definitely, I’d love to be able to ride the bike more but the old bikes are getting harder to get parts for, and the boys have got some really passion with their Suzuki Katana. It’s great to see that passion and to see Dale Gilbert, who hasn’t been feeling well, he built a new chassis for my bike, and Phil Tainton who I’ve had a long career with has helped out, and the bike is feeling really good. I think with a few more changes to the bike I reckon there’s quite a strong possibility of doing some high 35s on that bike and it felt so good this weekend. I ran the tyres that I ran last year as far as compounds, there’s new era Dunlops out now and I’ve pretty much ridden Dunlop most of my career as you know. So we’ll see what we can do in the new year.”

Island Classic RCimage Shawn Giles Michael Gilbert
Shawn Giles – Image Russ Colvin

Phil: Just on that, how happy were you and the team to see the performance in Race 3 where you had three Katanas leading the field? It’s been a long time since that’s happened. It’s been the domain of F1 bikes for quite a few years now.

Shawn: “It certainly has and to think that we’re riding Suzuki Katanas that don’t have any aerodynamic package at all, we have this little triangular screen, if you can call it a triangle. Where with the F1 you have the full fairing, and a lot of aerodynamics, it’s certainly helps them around Phillip Island but it’s great to see the Aussie home grown superbikes shine this weekend. Hats off to Josh Hayes for showing up, we tied for the overall third and he rode exceptionally well considering he’s never ridden here before.”

Island Classic RCimage Steve Martin Shawn Giles Jed Metcher
The racing was hectic in the International Challenge – Here Steve Martin leads Shawn Giles and Jed Metcher – Image Russ Colvin

Ken Wootton Perpetual Trophy

  1. Steve Martin AUS 152 points
  2. Aaron Morris AUS 150 points
  3. Josh Hayes USA 141 points
  4. =Shawn Giles AUS 141 points
  5. Larry Pegram USA 130 points
  6. Michael Gilbert USA 128 points
  7. =John Reynolds NZ 128 points
  8. Mark Miller USA 121 points
  9. Craig Ditchburn 120 points
  10. Barrett Long 114 points

2019 International Challenge Points – Three Nations

  1. Australia – 676 points
  2. USA – 634 points
  3. New Zealand – 460 points

Source: MCNews.com.au

Josh Hayes on the 2019 Island Classic

2019 Island Classic Interview

Four-time American Superbike Champion Josh Hayes was a bit wide-eyed when he first rode Phillip Island last week.

Hayes remarked, somewhat tongue-in-cheek, that he had his eyes closed at turn one for the first day or so. Then once the racing started he was really taken aback at just how hard competitors at the Island Classic International Challenge were willing to push the limits.

With Team USA front liner Jason Pridmore injured in race one, it fell to the 43-year-old to step up and deliver for this team. He did exactly that and by the final race of the weekend he had really found his groove and romped away to a clear win in that last six-lap bout of the event.

Overall, Hayes was the third highest points scorer across the four Island Classic International Challenge races, finishing on equal standing with three-time Aussie Superbike Champion Shawn Giles.


Phil Harlum: So we’re here with four time AMA Champion Josh Hayes, great to have you here, we’ve spoken about it before, Phillip Island a special place, the atmosphere, it’s what makes this event..

Josh Hayes: “I’m trying to imagine it being anywhere else and I don’t think it would be any good. I think the track is amazing, fortunately for me it suits our bike pretty well, but you know the atmosphere, the area in the world, all of it is a part of it. It’s just fun to be around a fun group of people, and I don’t think there’s a person in this paddock who’s making money. It’s 100 per cent about passion, people who are willing to spend their money because they are passionate about motorcycle racing, and it’s hard not to enjoy being around people like that.”

Island Classic RCimage Josh Hayes Profile
Josh Hayes – Image Russ Colvin

Phil:  The event obviously is all about racing, when it comes down to the International Challenge, you now know how serious the guys take it…

Josh: “Well I didn’t until I got here, now I realise just how serious the guys take it.”

Island Classic RCimage Josh Hayes
Josh Hayes – Image Russ Colvin

Phil:  Obviously you took it pretty seriously in that last race, off to a fantastic start and then put your head down. The first two or three laps were amazing, that’s what built up that eventual race win for you.

Josh: “Well you know I tried to give you the thumbs up, to say ‘Hey man things are good, I’m ready to go’. So I just wanted to do my job. Crussell and Jason asked me to come be a part of this, and you don’t want to come in as what they consider a ‘name’ and then not perform well, so I wanted to do a good job, and that was the most important thing. When I got in front those first three laps, I made a mistake in Honda and ran wide, I thought I had a freight train of people behind me, and I was just running like a scared rabbit, so it was just wanting to do a good job, and be in the race, at the front. That’s what I wanted, to kind of clear and have my own race was nice.”

Island Classic RCimage Josh Hayes
Josh Hayes – Image Russ Colvin

Phil: We talk about how special this track is, after four days of riding it, what’s you impression now? Especially after winning a race.

Josh: “You really need to ask me this again, to ask anybody again? Because it’s so obvious it’s one of the most amazing tracks in the world. And I have truly enjoyed my time here, and of all the places in the world away from America that I would want to go ride a race track, this is top of the list, without a doubt top of the list.”

Island Classic RCimage Josh Hayes Metcher
Josh Hayes #4 – Image Russ Colvin

Phil:  So we can pen your name in for the 2020 event, same bike, next year?

Josh: “If Dave Crussell will have me back, there’s a reasonable chance I’ll be back for the event next year. With any luck I could maybe find a ride for my wife Melissa and bring my little son Hawk, who’ll be two, and let him see Australia too.”

Island Classic RCimage Josh Hayes
Josh Hayes #4 – Image Russ Colvin

Phil:  Thanks for coming Josh.

Josh: “Thanks for having me guys!”

Island Classic RCimage Josh Hayes Race
Josh Hayes #4 – Image Russ Colvin

International Challenge Points – Three Nations

  1. Australia – 676 points
  2. USA – 634 points
  3. New Zealand – 460 points

Ken Wootton Perpetual Trophy

  1. Steve Martin AUS 152 points
  2. Aaron Morris AUS 150 points
  3. Josh Hayes USA 141 points
  4. =Shawn Giles AUS 141 points
  5. Larry Pegram USA 130 points
  6. Michael Gilbert USA 128 points
  7. =John Reynolds NZ 128 points
  8. Mark Miller USA 121 points
  9. Craig Ditchburn 120 points
  10. Barrett Long 114 points

Source: MCNews.com.au

Steve Martin talks 2019 Island Classic KW Trophy win

Steve Martin talks 2019 Island Classic

Ken Wootton Perpetual Trophy victory


Steve Martin put in a stellar effort at this years Island classic to claim the Ken Wootton Perpetual Trophy from fellow Aussie Aaron Morris by a two-point margin. It was obvious to see the improvements made during the weekend that then provided Steve the confidence to really push for results.

Steve kicked off the weekend with a seventh place in the International Challenge Race 1 after a restart following a nasty crash which saw both Jason Pridmore and Beau Beaton out of the weekend through injury.

Race two saw Steve Martin forge his way into a second place finish behind Aaron Morris before then leading a Suzuki Katana 1-2-3 in Sunday morning’s race three. While Josh Hayes took the final race four win, Steve Martin took the runner up position and the overall highest points score across the four Island Classic International Challenge bouts.

Phil Harlum caught up with Steve in the aftermath of the 2019 Island Classic.


Steve Martin 2019 Island Classic Interview

Island Classic RCimage Steve Martin Profile
Steve Martin – Image Russ Colvin

Phil Harlum: Steve Martin, tell us about the weekend, it’s obviously one that started off a bit slow, but it didn’t end like that.

Steve Martin: Nah, it’s just unbelievable, when I look back at the weekend, you know… as usual I didn’t really prepare, went for two runs thinking that would be enough. I ended wearing myself out so I gave up on that. I really just can’t explain it, I worked hard on the set-up, and I was in contact with Phil Tainton, who was helping me out with a few different things, and I think that made a bit of a difference.

Island Classic RCimage Steve Martin
Steve Martin won the Ken Wootton Perpetual Trophy – Image Russ Colvin

Phil: Tell us about the races though, you gradually got better and better as the weekend went on, culminating with victory in race three, and a strong fight to second place in the final race.

Steve: Absolutely, as soon as I got feeling in the bike, then I could tell what it was doing, in the last couple of years I really haven’t been able to feel what the bikes been doing. But this year I could feel what it was doing, give good feedback, and as soon as I did that, I knew what I wanted to go faster. As soon as I knew what I wanted, bang, the pace was there, and then obviously the more I rode… The last time I rode a bike with a race number, was here last year – I only race here, four six-lap races each year, which isn’t enough against guys like Josh Hayes, and our young guns.

Island Classic RCimage Steve Martin Shawn Giles Jed Metcher
The racing was hectic in the International Challenge – Here Steve Martin leads Shawn Giles and Jed Metcher – Image Russ Colvin

“So the more laps I did the more confident I got. In the third race I got a sniff of it and I went for it. I could see I had a bit more grip than Phillis, and Metcher, who were in front of me at that time, and I thought it’s now or never, so I went for it. I didn’t even realise it was the final lap at the point, so when I came over and saw the chequered flag, I had made my move at the right time.”

Island Classic RCimage Team Australia
Team Australia – 2019 Island Classic International Challenge – Image Russ Colvin

Phil: Tell us about the race through victory and how special that was, because it’s been a couple of years since you’ve won an International Challenge race and few years since you won any sort of championship.

Steve: Well, it’s been 10 years believe it or not. In 1989 I won the Australian 1000cc Production championship, 1999 I won the Australian Superbike championship, 2009 I won the World Endurance championship, and in 2019 I’ve now won the Phillip Island classic, so I’m looking for a long term 10 year contract!”

Island Classic RCimage Steve Martin Ken Wootton Perpetual Trophy
Steve Martin won the Ken Wootton Perpetual Trophy – The additional prize wrapped in alfoil is a serve of Nurse Wootton’s famous brownies – Image Russ Colvin

Phil: Congratulations Steve well done, it’s been a big effort from you and the team!

Steve: “Thanks mate and thanks to everyone out there.”


Ken Wootton Perpetual Trophy

  1. Steve Martin AUS 152 points
  2. Aaron Morris AUS 150 points
  3. Josh Hayes USA 141 points
  4. =Shawn Giles AUS 141 points
  5. Larry Pegram USA 130 points
  6. Michael Gilbert USA 128 points
  7. =John Reynolds NZ 128 points
  8. Mark Miller USA 121 points
  9. Craig Ditchburn 120 points
  10. Barrett Long 114 points

2019 International Challenge Points

  1. Australia – 676 points
  2. USA – 634 points
  3. New Zealand – 460 points
Island Classic RCimage Team Australia
Team Australia – 2019 Island Classic International Challenge Winners – Image Russ Colvin

Source: MCNews.com.au

Josh Hayes dominates International Challenge finale

International Challenge Race Four

Images by Rob Mott


Aaron Morris had his perfect record spoiled in race three when gearbox woes saw him get pipped at the post by Steve Martin and Shawn Giles. With no parts to fix it ahead of race four, the Corish Motorsport squad are having to make do by dropping three teeth off the rear sprocket on the TBR Katana in order to try and contest the race with only the first three gears.

Those woes had allowed the TBR/D&D Katanas get the better of Morris in the third bout and had seen Steve Martin close to within five-points of Morris heading into Sunday afternoon’s final six-lap race.

Problems for Josh Hayes with his Yamaha running on three-cylinders, and a jump-start penalty for Larry Pegram in race three, had hurt Team America’s chances for overall victory in the International Challenge. Heading into the final battle in the four race war Team USA trailed Australia by 35-points. The team had put in a whole new ignition system in to Hayes’ machine ahead of this final six-lap race of the 2019 Island Classic weekend.


They are away!

Josh Hayes fired off the line to head the International Challenge field like a rat up a drainpipe! Hayes led the field by a full second through the first split as Jed Metcher, Alex Phillis, Steven Martin and Aaron Morris gave chase. A 1m43.26 for Hayes from a standing start, and he backed it up with a 1m37.215 to extend his lead out to 1.6-seconds as they started lap two.

The battle for second place was hotting up with Alex Phillis battling with Jed Metcher while Steve Martin was looking to join that game.

Aaron Morris was suffering with those gearbox problems and struggling for pace as he tried to defend his fifth place from Giles, Pegram and Gilbert.  He could not muster enough speed to keep them at bay and was passed by all those riders by half race distance.  The individual trophy was slipping from his grasp with every position lost. During that middle part of the race on points, with Steve Martin in fourth, and Aaron Morris in ninth, that put the pair on 150-points apiece…

Steve Martin then got the better of Alex Phillis to move up to third place and started vying for second place with Jed Metcher.

Up front Josh Hayes had pulled the plug and was managing a three-second lead before taking the chequered flag as the clear race winner to finish the event on a high for Team USA.

The American effort for the 2019 Island Classic was absolutely outstanding and added some great flavour to the International Challenge event for 2019.

Team UK was sorely missed, without a doubt, but with Team America coming on so strong it only leaves me sailvating at just how good it might be if a Team UK came back in strength to really shake things up. Word is that something along those lines might happen for the 2020 Island Classic! That would truly cement the Island Classic as the most serious historic road racing event held anywhere in the world.

New riders to the event, including race four winner Josh Hayes, were genuinely shocked at how hard the fast runners ride in this event. And were in wide-eyed awe at the speed of the renowned Phillip Island circuit.

Steve Martin top scoring individual overall

Steve Martin pipped Phillis and Metcher in what was an almost photo finish to take second place in this final race, and with it  Steve scored enough points to take out the Ken Wootton Perpetual Trophy for the highest individual points scorer. The winning margin over Aaron Morris was two points.

Shawn Giles took fifth place in the final race ahead of Larry Pegram, Michael Gilbert and John Reynolds while Aaron Morris limped home to ninth place. Those gearbox problems costing him his chance at overall individual honours. But that’s historic racing, as much as the riders battle on track, the pit crews do battle all weekend in pit-lane in their own race just to keep their fast but fickle mounts running.

Team Australia win International Challenge

Team USA put up a valiant fight in that final battle but in the end Australia won the war with 676 points to America’s 634.  Team New Zealand scored 460 points.


International Challenge Race Four Results

  1. Josh Hayes
  2. Steve Martin +4.052
  3. Alex Phillis +4.089
  4. Jed Metcher +4.114
  5. Shawn Giles +8.919
  6. Larry Pegram +10.769
  7. Michael Gilbert +10.771
  8. John Reynolds +14.769
  9. Aaron Morris +15.233
  10. Mark Miller +20.701
  11. Craig Ditchburn +20.931
  12. Jay Lawrence +21.364
  13. Dean Oughtred +21.446
  14. Barrett Long +21.476
  15. Dale Quarterley +29.966
  16. Scott Webster +36.295
  17. John Allen +36.321
  18. Duncan Coutts +60.846
  19. Justin Mellerick +66.321
  20. David Crussell +67.774
  21. Roger Gunn +67.934
  22. Laurie Fyffe +68.412
  23. Joe Pethoud +73.788

International Challenge Team Points

  1. Australia 676
  2. USA 634
  3. NZ 460

Ken Wootton Perpetual Trophy Points

  1. Steve Martin 152
  2. Aaron Morris 150
  3. Josh Hayes 141
  4. Shawn Giles 141
  5. Larry Pegram 130
  6. Michael Gilbert 128
  7. John Reynolds 128
  8. Mark Miller 121
  9. Craig Ditchburn 120
  10. Barrett Long 114
  11. Jed Metcher 113
  12. Alex Phillis 109
  13. Scott Webster 99
  14. John Allen 93
  15. Jay Lawrence 89

Source: MCNews.com.au

Aussie Katana 1-2-3 in International Challenge Race 3

International Challenge Race Three

Images by Rob Mott

Conditions were again quite friendly to both competitors and their fickle machinery at Phillip Island today.  Friday’s fierce temperatures were now a distant memory and the cooler weather was also making things a lot more pleasant for the crowd.

A couple of guys not enjoying things today though were Jason Pridmore and Beau Beaton. Pridmore had a massive highside at turn 11 on Saturday and the chasing Beau Beaton was left nowhere to go apart from over the top of Pridmore’s machine. The pair were both attended to by medical staff on the circuit before being sent off to hospital where Pridmore was confirmed to have broken his leg, while Beaton was diagnosed with a fractured L5 vertebrae, along with small fractures to his pelvis and Sacrum.

The Island Classic International Challenge battle though must go on!

After Saturday’s two six-lap races things were tight at the top. The new and improved Team USA had really stepped into the breech left by the absence of Team UK. Still, the absence of a credible Team UK is keenly felt and they are sorely missed.

Ahead of the third bout Australia led the USA by only 15-points. With a perfect scorecard on Saturday Aaron Morris led the way on individual scores ahead of four-time AMA Superbike Champion Josh Hayes. Steve Martin had been getting more comfortable as the weekend has progressed and finished second to Morris in race two after Hayes had some problems late in the race.

There was really nothing in it due to the tight points scoring system that is used to decide the winner of the Ken Wootton Perpetual Trophy, the award for the highest performing individual rider across the four International Challenge races of the event.

IIC Phillip Island Rob Mott Sunday Start Aaron Morris Steve Martin
Riders ready on the grid

Away we go!

Larry Pegram got a scorcher off the line to lead the field through Southern Loop for the first time ahead of Jed Metcher, Steve Martin and David Johnson while pole-sitter Aaron Morris was in fifth place as they exited turn four. Metcher made a small mistake late on that opening lap and lost a little ground but Aaron Morris had the Katana wound up through the back section of the circuit and round turn 11 and 12 to move up on to the tail of Pegram as they started lap two.

Aaron Morris then seemed to miss a gear or something which allowed Pegram and Metcher to get back past the Katana. Josh Hayes made a mistake and slipped from sixth place all the way back to 15th place with four laps still to go. The fastest man on lap two had been Shawn Giles but the top six were all in the 38s.

While in the the lead on lap three Larry Pegram’s team were informed that he had been given a jump-start time penalty in what would be another significant and costly blow for Team USA. Before he had seen that on his pit-board though Aaron Morris, Steve Martin, Shawn Giles and Jed Metcher had pushed him back to fifth place.

David Johnson’s weekend of woe continued with the South Australia limping back into pit-lane with mechanical problems.

Shawn Giles then put in a new fastest lap of the race on lap four with a 1m37.425 but all that leading trio were now in the 37s. Only two-tenths covered that triumvirate with two laps remaining while Jed Metcher continued to try and chase them down and turn that leading group into a four-way affair.

As they got the last lap board Jed Metcher joined the party to set up an exciting final lap. However, the T-Rex Honda hiccupped on the exit of turn four, causing him to pull the clutch in fearing an impending engine detonation. Metcher was able to continue tentatively, his machine recovering its composure, but his run for the podium was done and he had to settle for fourth.

Aaron Morris had the speed to hold his challengers off around the back of the circuit, but then missed a shift or had some sort of issue on the run towards the main straight which allowed him to be gazumped down the chute by Steve Martin and Shawn Giles.

IIC Phillip Island Rob Mott Sunday Aaron Morris Steve Martin
Steve Martin was able to round up Aaron Morris on the run to the line after Morris made a mistake at a crucial final juncture

Larry Pegram crossed the line in fifth, but his jump-start penalty pushed him back to seventh place and promoted his countrymen Michael Gilbert and Steve Rapp ahead of him on the official scoresheet.

Craig Ditchburn scored eighth, Dean Oughtred ninth and honorary Kiwi for the weekend John Reynolds rounded out the top ten ahead of Barrett Long, Mark Miller, Jay Lawrence and Dale Quarterley.

That result should extend Australia’s lead in the International Challenge Team points standings but America will remain with striking distance.

International Challenge Race Three Results

  1. Steve Martin
  2. Shawn Giles +0.142
  3. Aaron Morris +0.157
  4. Jed Metcher +3.547
  5. Michael Gilbert +8.984
  6. Steve Rapp +14.261
  7. Larry Pegram +4.312 (+10 sec penalty)
  8. Craig Ditchburn ++16.316
  9. Dean Oughtred +16.698
  10. John Reynolds +16.806
  11. Barrett Long +16.837
  12. Mark Miller +18.581
  13. Jay Lawrence +18.916
  14. Dale Quarterley +23.732
  15. Josh Hayes +24.283
  16. Brendan Wilson +27.624
  17. Scott Webster +27.749
  18. John Allen +32.902
  19. Rennie Scaysbrook +38.062
  20. Justin Mellerick +43.735

Source: MCNews.com.au

Aaron Morris takes pole for Island Classic International Challenge

2019 Island Classic Friday Report

Images by Rob Mott

Heat and wind. Those were the two words on everyone’s lips at Phillip Island today as they sweltered through oppressive conditions. Ambient temperatures nudging towards 40-degrees does not make for the nicest weather to be working on highly tuned air-cooled machines, it was downright tortuous in fact.

That did not stop more than 500 historic motorcycles taking to the track today though with 15-minute qualifying sessions for all classes of racing. Seven races were also on the card for the opening day of Island Classic 2019. There had been a practice session attended by almost all riders on Thursday, but Friday was the first official day of the event.

Plenty of spectators also made the pilgrimage down to Phillip Island to check out all the action and the Island was buzzing with the huge influx of tourists here to celebrate the Australia Day long weekend. Those not taking shelter from the heat, were instead enjoying the dazzling blue waters of Western Port Bay.

The stiff north-westerly breeze, the gusts of which did cause some riders a few problems, did have the useful side-effect of keeping track temperatures a lot more manageable that they might otherwise have been.

One crew that had not got much sleep overnight were the guys twirling spanners for Team America’s Steve Rapp. The 47-year-old took a hefty tumble yesterday with a stuck throttle pitching him and the CMR prepared and FJ1100 powered Yamaha down the road. The bike was a mess, and his mechanics worked through the night in order to repair the machine for today.

As first qualifying for the International got underway just after midday, track temperatures were already starting to nudge their way towards 50-degrees celsius.

That did not stop Aaron Morris dropping in a 1m37.943 on a Suzuki Katana to top the timesheets ahead of David Johhnson, the South Australian recording a 1m38.518 on an XR69 Suzuki.

America’s Josh Hayes proved his pedigree by adapting quickly to the Phillip Island layout to finish Q1 in P3 ahead of Shawn Giles and Jason Pridmore.

Team America have really stepped things up a level in regards to team strength this year. That has helped to partly fill some of the void left by the absence of Team UK and their brace of star riders, along with the beautiful Roger Winfield prepared machinery that had become a much loved staple of the Island Classic. Still, the absence of a credible Team UK is keenly felt and they are sorely missed.

Some riders were suffering carburettor problems in the heat and fuel boiling issues as the oil-air-cooled machinery struggled to maintain their composure in the conditions.

The wind picked up much more force in the afternoon and switched to a south-westerly. This was met with sighs of relief by everyone up and down pit-lane as it helped to take the sting out of the heat and temperatures started dropping back to a much more manageable 28-degrees.

Ahead of the second and final International Challenge qualifying session Aaron Morris took to the circuit again to claim pole in the New Era Formula 1300 category with a 1m37.685. Before that final International Challenge Qualifying was to get underway though we had some races on the schedule.


Pre-War / 125 P-CL & FE / 250 P-CL and Classic

The opening race of the 2019 Island Classic was the combined Pre-War, 125 Post Classic & Forgotten Era, 250 Post Classic and Classic.

The somewhat strange combination forced by a limited number of entries across these categories.

Murray Seabrook and Roly Orr quickly broke away from the pack on their 1972 Yamaha TD3 machines but Seabrook then ran off the track at turn four and his chance of a race win went down the slip road with him. Terry Morris recovered from a bad start to chase down Roly Orr and by lap two was tussling with Orr for the lead. A mistake by Orr on the final lap gave Morris the advantage he needed to take the win at the chequered flag.

Pre-War / 125 P-CL & FE / 250 P-CL & CL R1 Results
  1. Terry Morris
  2. Roly Orr +0.256
  3. Greg Roberts +43.765
  4. Lorraine Crussell +45.991
  5. Marco Vittino +61.047
  6. Bruce Meredith +66.482 (2CL)
  7. Fred Schafer +67.535 (2CL)
  8. John Imrie +73.140 (2CL)
  9. Ben James +84.528
  10. Stacey Heaney +85.674 (1PC)

250 FE / 125 New Era / 350 Classic

Lachlan Hill started the combined 250 Forgotten Era, 125 New Era and 350 Classic from pole position on his Rotax powered machine that is backed by Ron Angel Classic Racing. Hill immediately streaked away from the field and was in a class of his own onboard that machine.

R2 – 250 FE / 125 New Era / 350 CL R1 Results
  1. Lachlan Hill (2FE)
  2. James Doddrell +3.117 (1NE)
  3. Mark Laing-Hughes +19.077 (1NE)
  4. Grant Boxhall +21.870 (2FE)
  5. Ben Bramich +21.998 (3CL)
  6. David Manson +36.290 (1NE)
  7. Phil Paton +37.092 (3CL)
  8. Robert Heather +60.276 (2FE)
  9. Colin Meredith +105.239 (3CL)
  10. Ross Hollands +1 lap (3CL)

500 Forgotten Era & Unlimited Post Classic

This one was shaping up to be a much closer battle with little separating Dean Oughtred on a CR750 Honda and Tom Bramich on the Ron Angel baked Paton during qualifying.

It was the indomitable Laurie Fyffe though that scored the holeshot on his CB750 Honda.

Beau Beaton’s Irving Vincent has suffered numerous problems which had led to a poor qualifying performance but the big booming Melbourne built machine was quickly into the lead and streak away from its pursuers. If anyone would know how to ride it defensively though it would be Beau Beaton, who was now in his tenth year of ridiing the Horner built machines, would it hang together for the four-lap race distance…?

Hang together it did and Beaton rewarded his crews efforts with a clear win over Dean Oughtred by over ten seconds while Simon Cook got the better of Laurie Fyffe to round out the Unlimited Post Classic podium.

In the 500 Forgotten Era sub-category it was Tom Bramich on the Paton BM3 who claimed the win from Keo Watson and Chris Hayward. Bramich had also claimed an outright podium ahead of the Unlimited Post Classic bikes of Cook and Fyffe.

500 FE & Unlimited Post Classic R1 Results
  1. Beau Beaton
  2. Dean Oughtred +10.589
  3. Tom Bramich +13.414 (5FE)
  4. Simon Cook +27.751
  5. Keo Watson +28.576 (5FE)
  6. Laurie Fyffe +31.092
  7. Chris Hayward +31.478 (5FE)
  8. Jock Woodley +36.609 (5FE)
  9. Steven Brown +36.755 (5FE)
  10. Robert Wallace +42.964

Unlimited Forgotten Era Premier

Beau Beaton was quickly back in action after his victory in the Unlimited Post Classic to take another win in the Unlimited Forgotten Era category.

He had to work harder for this one though as Marty Craggill made life hard for Beaton with Craig Ditchburn also dipping his TZ750 oar in from time to time.

In fact Ditchburn managed to get the better of Craggill late in the race to take second place. Glenn Hindle was fourth ahead of Bernie Leen and Justin Mellrick while young Drew Sells took seventh ahead of Scott Webster.

Unlimited Forgotten Era Premier Race One Results
  1. Beau Beaton
  2. Craig Ditchburn +0.860
  3. Marty Craggill +1.027
  4. Glenn Hindle +14.472
  5. Bernie Leen +15.769
  6. Justin Mellrick +16.508
  7. Drew Sells +17.307
  8. Scott Webster +18.725
  9. Duncan Coutts +23.951
  10. Steve Stanwix +27.557
  11. David Crussell +29.073
  12. Matthew Ineson +36.061
  13. Martin Hodgson +36.089
  14. Denis Ackland +38.450
  15. Albert Tehennepe +43.463

Unlimited Forgotten Era Minor

Due to a massive entry list in the Unlimited Forgotten Era class the field had been separated in to two with the slower machines in the field put into another sub-category. Pete Byers the victor ahead of Dave Fuller and Dan Sandler.

Unlimited Forgotten Era Minor

  1. Pete Byers
  2. Steve Dobson +10.950
  3. Dave Fuller +16.391
  4. Daniel Sandler +26.237
  5. Bruce Andrew +31.146
  6. Garry Kellalea +31.180
  7. Wade Boyd +36.352
  8. Allen Bromley +41.336
  9. Neil Howard +46.687
  10. Tim Wotton +48.530

International Challenge Final Qualifying

The temperature had dropped quite dramatically ahead of the second and final qualifying session for International Challenge competitors got underway at 1545 on Friday afternoon. This certainly suited not only competitors, but also their tyres, and their machinery.

Jed Metcher certainly welcomed the cooler conditions as his T-Rex Honda Harris had not coped at all well with the more oppressive heat earlier in the day.

IIC Phillip Island Rob Mott Friday Jed Metcher
Jed Metcher

Aaron Morris and Jason Pridmore were the first men to dip into the 1m37s this afternoon.  A 1m37.341 the early benchmark from Morris to Pridmore’s 1m37.642. Those laps stood the test of time to see Morris take pole and Pridmore P2 on the grid for tomorrow’s first International Challenge bout.

IIC Phillip Island Rob Mott Friday Jason Pridmore Josh Hayes
Jason Pridmore and Josh Hayes are the fastest qualifiers for Team USA

Paul Byrne would also score a front row start position courtesy of a 1m38.056 ahead of David Johnson, Jed Metcher and Josh Hayes.

IIC Phillip Island Rob Mott Friday David Johnson
David Johnson

Cam Donald was nowhere to be seen, more problems with the Irving Vincent we believe preventing the two-time Isle of Man TT winner to join the circuit in the second session and having to rely on his 1m44.5s from QP1 for his grid position. That QP1 run had also been troubled for Donald as he managed only two laps and was far from his potential pace.

International Challenge Qualifying Results

  1. Aaron Morris 1m37.341
  2. Jason Pridmore 1m37.642
  3. Paul Byrne 1m38.056
  4. David Johnson 1m38.104
  5. Jed Metcher 1m38.122
  6. Josh Hayes 1m38.202
  7. Beau Beaton 1m38.286
  8. Steve Martin 1m38.454
  9. Shawn Giles 1m38.642
  10. Larry Pegram 1m38.819

500 Post Classic

Tom Bramich quickly cleared out from the field in the 500 Post Classic four lap race to the tune of more than ten-seconds a lap better than any of his competitors. Bramich and the Ron Angel Paton on another level.

500 Post Classic Race One Results

  1. Tom Bramich
  2. Paul Smith _+39.154
  3. Tony Logan +65.198
  4. Eric Salmon +73.832
  5. Brendan Burns +90.453
  6. Danny Ahern +90.932
  7. Dean Marsh +109.076
  8. Shan Nicholas-Oliver +109.184
  9. Ben James +116.495

New Era Formula 750

Son led father in qualifying for the New Era Formula 750 with Scott Campbell besting famous father Malcolm (Wally) Campbell on their pair of beautiful RC30 Hondas. In fact the top four qualifiers were RC30 mounted with Nathan Spiteri also on the front row ahead of James Doddrell.

Scotty also led dad away when the lights went out and pulled away to the tune of more than a second a lap on his way to a clear six-second victory over his father while Nathan Spiteri rounded out the podium.

No luck for Ben Burke in this one as he rolled to a stop at turn one on his CBR400 with two laps to run.

New Era Formula 750 Race One Results

  1. Scott Campbell
  2. Malcolm Campbell +6.075
  3. Nathan Spiteri +9.114
  4. Quentin Blazley +15.446
  5. James Doddrell +18.004
  6. Bernie Leen +19.775
  7. Scott Findlay +26.031
  8. Michael McGuire +35.871
  9. Rob Ruwoldt +37.114
  10. Andrew Relph +37.541

The massive program of qualifying and racing all ran quite smoothly despite the challenging conditions and we actually finished racing at 1630, half-an-hour ahead of schedule. Tomorrow we have a huge program of 22 races beginning at 0900, and then we do it all again on Sunday!

Source: MCNews.com.au

New format for FIM Oceanic Historic Road Race Cup

Trans-Tasman battle all set for International Island Classic


Phillip Island will welcome the 2019 International Island Classic over the January 25-27 weekend, with not just the International Challenge, but also the epic Trans-Tasman battle for the FIM Oceanic Historic Road Race Cup.

The format has been revamped by organisers from FIM Oceania and the Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit for 2019, designed to create greater parity, more opportunity for all class riders, and a tougher spirit of competition between the nations.

FIM Oceania Historic Road Race Cup Unlimited Forgotten Era
FIM Oceania Historic Road Race Cup Forgotten Era

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.

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.

Fergus Cameron – Managing Director of the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit

“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. 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.”

FIM Oceania Historic Road Race Cup New Era
FIM Oceania Historic Road Race Cup Forgotten Era

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.

Glen Williams – FIM Oceania President

‘’FIM Oceania is very excited to be holding the FIM Oceanic Historic Road Race Cup at the International Island Classic. This is a world class event and brings together a wide range of amazing bikes and riders from around the world. The battle between the Aussies and Kiwis will be closer than ever this year. It will be handlebar to handlebar and racing not to be missed.’’


2019 International Island Classic tickets

The 26th International Island Classic, presented by Visit Phillip Island, is the perfect Australia Day getaway without breaking the bank. A three-day adult ticket for the January 25-27 event, is just $82 purchased in advance, and free for children 15 and under (accompanied by a full-paying adult). You can camp at the circuit for four nights for just over $20 per night (with kids once again free) which is a bargain in anyone’s language.

Add it up and you can have a four-day weekend away, with four nights of on-circuit camping, and three days entry to one of the world’s great historic bike meets for the grand total of just $164* per adult and you can bring your kids for free!

Tickets for the largest historic bike meet in the Southern Hemisphere, the 26th International Island Classic, presented by Visit Phillip Island on January 25-27, are available on islandclassic.com.au or at the gate.

*All prices quoted are advance tickets which end midday Wednesday, January 23, 2019. Buy advance and save. Gate ticket prices are additional.


26th International Island Classic

Event Schedule

25th – 27th January 2019

Island Classic

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

Island Classic

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

Island Classic

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

Source: MCNews.com.au

2019 Island Classic | Schedule | Teams | Sponsor

Destination Phillip Island naming sponsor for 2019 Island Classic

The International Island Classic will be broadcast around the world in 2019, with Destination Phillip Island becoming the naming rights sponsor for the 2019 running, and the official name announced to be – “International Island Classic, presented by Visit Phillip Island”.

The January 25-27 event to be held next weekend at the Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit and should spread the holiday destination message of the idyllic seaside island that embraces nature and motorsport, worldwide.

Now in its 26th year and always held over the Australian Day long weekend, the International Island Classic is one of the largest historic bike meets in the world today with close to 450 bikes raced or on display, and over 300 riders journeying from all corners of the globe to compete.

Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit host WorldSBK season opener
Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit

Further value lies in a new initiative for 2019 – a two hour television programme. Production will focus on the headline act, the International Challenge between teams from Australia, New Zealand and the USA, and the sponsorship ensures viewers are introduced to the myriad of experiences at Phillip Island that lie outside the circuit.

Interest in the television programme has been strong with MAVTV picking up screening rights for the USA and Canada; Fox Asia broadcasting to 14 million subscribers across the region; commitments from networks across UK and Europe, and Foxsports picking up the feed in New Zealand. The largest digital channel for motorsport content in the world today, MotorsTV/MotorTrend will also showcase the 2019 International Island Classic production.

David Johnson and Jeremy McWilliams - Image by Cameron White
David Johnson and Jeremy McWilliams – Image by Cameron White

In Australia the Island Classic broadcast will be screened on delay on SBS’s Speed Week and on Foxsports, plus a video streaming of the International Challenge will occur via the circuit website www.phillipislandcircuit.com.au (link) and other online platforms.

Kim Storey – General Manager of Destination Phillip Island

“The Island Classic celebrates the Island’s motorsport history with international teams from key markets staying multiple nights and contributing to the local economy. The program production will provide a unique opportunity for us to engage with viewers and share the many reasons why they should visit Phillip Island.”

Little penguins emerge from the sea at dusk at Phillip Island

David Bennett – General Manager of the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit

“Visit Phillip Island is a great alliance with the Island Classic. We welcome race fans and visitors from around the world to book a trip to our home and explore the idyllic beaches, nature reserves and breathtaking scenery. So many motorsport fans from around the world, will have seen the rugged coastline and rolling surf that surrounds the circuit on television. Those aerial views truly capture the beauty of this island, so put a trip to the island on your bucket list.”

Woolamai one of Phillip Island favourite beaches

The International Challenge line-up has just been confirmed with great names of motorcycle racing competing including Josh Hayes, Jason Pridmore and Mark Miller for Team USA; a New Zealand line-up including Alex Phillis and the Taupo based Carl Cox team including John Reynolds, Jay Lawrence and Michael Neeves; and racing for defending champions Australia, David Johnson, Jed Metcher and Cam Donald.

Celebrating a century of motorcycling, the Island Classic is a pilgrimage for so many riders and spectators. A myriad of characters and bikes converge on the island with some of the quirkier stories to also be featured in the Island Classic television broadcast. There will be 56 races held across the weekend, catering for 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 for the International Island Classic, held over the January 25-27 at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, are available at islandclassic.com.au (link). A three-day adult ticket, purchased in advance, is just $82, and free for children 15 and under (accompanied by a full-paying adult). Event-goers can camp at the circuit for four nights for just over $20 per night (with kids once again free). Tickets are also available at the gate, but save by purchasing in advance. *All prices quoted are advance tickets. Advance ticket sales end midday Wednesday, January 23, 2019. Buy advance and save. Gate ticket prices are additional.

David Johnson leads Jeremy McWilliams - Island Classic 2018 - International Challenge Race One - Image by TBG
David Johnson leads Jeremy McWilliams – Island Classic 2018 – International Challenge Race One – Image by TBG

Source: MCNews.com.au