| | | We have all the stars coming out to party at the 2018 Island Classic 25 year celebration |
|
|
|
|
| | | | | | | | | Hi John,
AGOSTINI, EDWARDS AND CORSER JOIN 2018 ISLAND CLASSIC CELEBRATION
At Phillip Island we LOVE a PARTY and come January 2018 we’re celebrating 25 years of the International Island Classic. Put the date in your diary for this coming Australia Day long weekend, January 26-28, and get ready for bikes, banter and the best weekend away to boot.
Battle lines have been drawn, comrades! The International Challenge is shaping up as the greatest four-nation contest in Classic history with the UK vs AUS vs USA vs NZ. The Jeremy McWilliams UK team is three-time-defending champion, but it’s set to be severely tested in 2018 with legendary riders joining the USA and Oz squads. Have we a line up for you… Aussie son, Troy Corser, is coming home to lead Australia into the International Challenge Battle Texas Tornado, Colin Edwards, has accepted the call-up and will take charge of US troops Jeremy McWilliams says "Bring It On". He's determined to keep the crown in UK Hands and make 2018 four in a row Motorcycling legend, Giacomo Agostini, is coming for the entire event and bringing with him four beautiful MV Agustas, including two of his world championship winning bikes AND... Australian Motorcycle News is back on board working with us to create the greatest Island Classic EVER! A quarter of a century has passed since the first Island Classic in 1994 when 237 bikes rolled up to race and Tim Sanford won the Phil Irving trophy. In 2018, the Australian Motorcycle News International Island Classic will welcome over 500 classic bikes and 300 riders from all corners of the globe, and YOU!
It’s going to be MASSIVE so get your tickets today at www.islandclassic.com.au |
|
|
|
|
| |
| | | | | | | Giacomo Agostino racing a 350cc MV Agusta at Brands Hatch in 1976
In news this week, the most successful grand prix motorcycle racer of all time, Italy’s Giacomo Agostini, will be our special Island Classic guest!
In a massive coup, the 75-year-old Italian icon will be joined by a quartet of world championship-winning four-stroke MV Agustas. Two of the MVs were the ones that brought ‘Ago’ championship success: the three-cylinder 500, which he won the 500cc title on from 1966-1972, and the four-cylinder 350 which saw him beat all-comers on in 1972 and 1973.
The other two MV Agustas are also 500cc four-cylinder machines: the first one ridden to the half-litre world title by John Surtees (1956, 1958-1960), Gary Hocking (1961) and Mike Hailwood (1962-1965), and the second one by Phil Read in 1973 and 1974.
Normally housed in a private collection in Milan, Phillip Island’s Fergus Cameron has managed to secure the treasures to be lent to the Island Classic.
Giacomo last visited in 2013 and rode this replica MV. In 2018 he brings from Italy the original MV's that took him to world championship success |
Ago will ride in parade laps each day aboard his title-winning 350cc machine, while the other three will be ridden by Italian friends who will be accompanying Ago: Romano Colombo, Gilmo Paglini and Carlo Elli.
Colombo owns the Surtees/Hocking/Hailwood 500, while the other three MV Agustas are Carlo’s, who is the son of the late original owner, Ubaldo Elli.
Ago will sign autographs and talk with fans each day at the MV Agusta display in the paddock and be the special guest at the traditional welcome dinner on Friday night.
Hailing from Brescia in Italy, Giacomo Agostini belongs in the pantheon of all-time grand prix greats, having competed in 186 races in the 1960s and 1970s for 122 wins and 159 podiums. With a phenomenal 76 per cent winning rate, he retired with 15 world titles: seven in the 350cc class (1968-1974) and eight in the 500cc ranks (1966-1972, 1975).
|
|
|
|
|
| | Aussie Son, Troy Corser, Returns to Lead Oz Team |
|
|
|
|
| | | Troy Corser last campaigned at Phillip Island in 2011
Australia’s twice WorldSBK champion Troy Corser makes his first appearance on local soil in nearly seven years when he returns home to head the Australian charge in the International Challenge and attempt to snap the three-year domination by the Jeremy McWilliams-led United Kingdom. Teams from New Zealand and America will also compete.
UK-based Corser can’t wait to reacquaint himself with one of his favourite pieces of tarmac, where he won seven WorldSBK races from 1996 to 2006.
“It’s time to get back and race at home in front of a Phillip Island home crowd. It's been a long time,” said Corser from his UK base, where he lives with wife Sam and two teenage kids, Kalani and Kelisa.
“I have been doing Goodwood events with a great team at BMW Classic, riding some old museum bikes. It's been a lot of fun. Everyone tells me the Island Classic is a great event so with it being the 25th anniversary, it feels like a good time to come back and give it a go.”
Corser, who turns 46 on November 27 and last raced competitively in 2011, will ride a 1982 Honda Harris F1 machine.
Troy Corser returns home to Australia |
“Rex Wolfenden is preparing my bike so I’m hoping for a weapon. His bikes are always well prepared. I’d like to test it prior, but not sure that’s gonna happen. If not, I’ll just rock up and ride. I’ve done it before,” he said.
At his absolute best, Corser was a ruthless practitioner. He could not only produce one-lap flyers in qualifying, but also handle the blowtorch when leading from the front.
He retired with a whole host of WorldSBK records: for the most pole positions – 43; the most races – 377; the most podiums – 130, and the most points – 4000.
His WorldSBK titles came in 1996 and 2005 with Ducati and Suzuki respectively, and he also rode for Aprilia, Yamaha, Foggy Petronas and BMW in the production series. |
|
|
|
|
| | | | | | | | Bring it on! Jeremy McWilliams and his CHAMPION UK team return defiant and determined to make 2018 FOUR IN A ROW! |
|
|
|
|
| | Make It a Long-Weekend to Remember |
|
|
|
|
| | | Grab your mates and make the 25th International Island Classic a weekend to remember. Camp at the circuit and make your getaway super easy and super affordable with a three day ticket/four night camping package just $155*, purchased in advance. No traffic, just roll out of bed, wolf down your cornies and wander over to the racetrack to see all the action.
On Friday night we are hosting the 25th Anniversary Gala Dinner, where you’ll hear from all the stars of the show, interviewed by none other than Brit journalist and commentator, Alan Cathcart. Buy your tickets for the dinner, entry and camping at www.islandclassic.com.au
|
|
|
|
|
| | Legendary Racer Colin Edwards for USA |
|
|
|
|
| | | Colin Edwards at PI - MotoGP 2013
Road racing legend, American Colin Edwards, will head the USA in the International Challenge and add enormous firepower to the stars and stripes squad, keen to put up a strong challenge to the Brits and Aussies.
“First off, I'm not coming out of retirement by any means,” joked 43 year old Texan, Edwards. "However, Phillip Island is easily in my top two favorite tracks in the world. The town is great, the people are nice, the food is delish. The only problem is the long-ass flight to get there!
“The US team needs some help, and in all honesty it will be a pleasure to get on the Island and race.”
Colin Edwards to captain the US |
The double WorldSBK champion and long-time MotoGP rider, who retired at the end of 2014, will ride a HyperCycle-built Yamaha FJ-powered XR69-replica chassis in the International Challenge. HyperCycle has been preparing championship-winning bikes in America for four decades, and even gave the late Nicky Hayden his big break as a 16-year-old.
“My thoughts about racing a classic bike are a big fat question mark,” continued Edwards. “The last few years I've only ridden the best Yamaha MotoGP bike testing for Michelin. Does this bike have traction control?”
Edwards is a fierce competitor who won the 1992 AMA 250 GP title at 18 years, before graduating to superbikes, first domestically and then globally
He rode world supers from 1995 until 2002, winning titles with Honda in 2000 and 2002, and was a two -time Suzuka 8-Hour winner, once alongside his great mate Valentino Rossi.
After 31 wins WorldSBK – including one at Phillip Island in 2001, the highlight of the eight WorldSBK podiums he scored at the Island – Edwards switched to MotoGP in 2003. He remained there until his retirement at the end of 2014 riding for six different teams. A win proved to be elusive, but he still finished on the podium 12 times.
|
|
|
|
|
| | Australian Motorcycle News Back on Board for 25 Year Celebrations |
|
|
|
|
| | | AMCN's Chris Dobie congratulates UK's Keith Higgs
Australia’s number one motorcycle magazine, Australian Motorcycle News, is back on board for year number 25 of the International Island Classic and editor Chris Dobie has plenty planned.
“The association between Australian Motorcycle News and the International Island Classic stretches back to the very first running of the event, at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in 1994,” said Chris Dobie.
“Legendary AMCN editor Ken Wootton fell in love with the concept and didn’t hesitate to put the AMCN name to it. Over the past quarter of a century, AMCN and the Island Classic have become inextricably linked, and it’s a great honour to be at the helm of Australia’s leading motorcycle magazine as the event's naming rights sponsor to celebrate its 25th anniversary.
“Few events, sporting or otherwise, can claim to still be growing after 25 consecutive years, but the AMCN International Island Classic shows no sign of slowing down. Like the competitors and their machines that roll up in their hundreds each year to take part, it just gets better with age.
“The 2018 special guests Giacomo Agostini, Colin Edwards and Troy Corser are proof that the Island Classic is a truly international event.”
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | |
The three-day Australia Day long weekend Island Classic from January 26-28 will feature 500 classic bikes and 300 riders for a massive 25th anniversary celebration.
Apart from the International Challenge, there’s 52 races featuring bikes 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. Sidecars will also join solos on the program.
Advance prices for tickets are super affordable and available from www.islandclassic.com.au
Three-day passes are $80* in advance; Sunday only $50* in advance; Saturday only $40* in advance. All children 15 and under free. On-circuit camping package for four nights, including three-day General Admission ticket, $155 in advance.
Single day and weekend Pit Roof VIP Hospitality packages are available in the Club Classic Suite - prices start from $160 per person. Phone 03 5952 2710 for more information.
For all information and bookings for tickets and camping go to www.islandclassic.com.au
*All ticket prices quoted are in advance. |
|
|
|
|
| | | | | | Photocredit: TBG Sport and RedlinePix – thanks to Andrew Gosling and Howard Shearing |
|
|
|
|
| | | | | | |
|
