| 3 Days of Non Stop Historic Racing International Island Classic - 25-27 January 2019 - Australia ready to defend it's International Challenge Crown |
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| | | | | | | THREE DAYS OF NON-STOP HISTORIC RACING.
AUSTRALIA READY TO DEFEND IT'S INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE CROWN |
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| If you love bikes, there’s nothing closer to pure heaven than immersing yourself in a world of motorcycles, mechanics and memorabilia at the iconic historic event, the International Island Classic at Australia’s Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit.
Now in its 26th year, the Island Classic presented by Visit Phillip Island, will once again roll into the circuit for the Australia Day long weekend from Friday to Sunday January 25-27, with 56 races on the agenda and tickets available now from www.islandclassic.com.au.
A celebration of a century of motorbikes, the event is a true bike fest with more than 450 bikes racing and on display, including old Indians, Nortons and Vincents through to vintage Triumphs, Harleys and Ducatis. There’s six historic categories from pre-WW1 bikes through Vintage (1920-1945), Classic and Post Classic (from 1946 to 1972) and the more recent Forgotten Era and New Era classes fighting for class honours and the Phil Irving Perpetual Trophy. |
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| | | In This Edition...
| » | International Challenge | | » | Tickets | | » | Visit Phillip Island | | » | Island Classic goes Worldwide | | » | Get ready for a great Australia Day Weekend away |
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| | | | | | | | | | | International Challenge Entry List for January 25-27 2019 Island Classic,
Presented by Visit Phillip Island
Australia
New Zealand
Team USA
Team Aus won the International Challenge in 2018. Now they face power-packed teams from the USA and NZ
There’s no doubt Australia’s defence will require plenty of purpose, pace and guile, as Team USA and the Kiwis head into 2019 event in better shape than ever.
TEAM USA Team USA – which alongside Australia was a pioneer of big-bore superbike racing in the late 1970s and early 1980s – has pulled in some extra big guns to assist Jason Pridmore in 2019 who returns after top five finishes in 2018. Team captain, David Crussell, went home last January serious about his 2019 effort and returns with an awesome line-up including four-time AMA superbike champion Josh Hayes as well as Mark Miller, Steve Rapp, Larry Pegram and Dale Quarterley.
Aussie expatriate journalist Rennie Scaysbrook is also a part of the American team, which predominantly has a mix of oversized Yamaha FJ1100 four-strokes and TZ750 two-strokes at its disposal.
Josh Hayes, 43, dominated the AMA superbike title in the early part of this decade for the Yamaha factory squad, claiming the number one spot from 2010-2012 before winning again in 2014.
He also finished seventh in the season-ending MotoGP race at Valencia in 2011 as a replacement for injured compatriot Colin Edwards, while Rapp has also tasted action in the biggest league of all when he rode in the 2012 Indy round of the MotoGP title. | | | Jason Pridmore returns for Team USA | Super-talented Josh Hayes, four-times AMA Superbike champion |
| | | Steve Rapp for Team USA | Larry Pegram on the grid for the US |
KIWI POWER
The Kiwis under Duncan Coutts have capitalised on their long-term relationship with gun racer, Alex Phillis, and the Taupo-based Carl Cox Motorsport – the motorsport arm of international DJ Carl Cox – to strengthen their ranks.
Carl Cox’s Kiwi team brings to the grid three-time British superbike champion John Reynolds, ‘modern’ and classic racer Jay Lawrence, and Michael Neeves, the senior road tester at iconic UK publication MCN.
The Kiwis have also sought dispensation for two 1985 Suzuki GSX-Rs for the Carl Cox camp to run, with approvals being given this week by team captains from arch rivals Australia and the USA subject to various performance restrictions. | | | John Reynolds – Team NZ | John Reynolds will campaign the Suzuki GSX-Rs for NZ |
| | | Alex Phillis to race for NZ | Michael Neeves, MCN tester, will race for Team NZ under the Carl Cox Raceteam |
AUSSIE STRENGTH
Australian captain, Rex Wolfenden, has assembled a formidable squad for the defence with outstanding depth.
Adelaide’s David Johnson, who led the Aussies back into the winner’s circle in 2018 after a three-year drought heads the line-up, backed by 2016 Challenge star Jed Metcher and Isle of Man winner Cameron Donald.
World endurance champion, Melbourne’s Steve Martin also returns, as does three-time Australian superbike champion and Island Classic champion Shawn Giles and Coffs Harbour’s Beau Beaton who last year won the Phil Irving Trophy. David Johnson led the way for Australia in 2018 | | | Winners are Grinners…Beau Beaton (Phil Irving Trophy) and David Johnson (Ken Wootton trophy) in 2018 | Jed Metcher, 2016 star, returns for Australia |
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| | | | | The Island Classic is the perfect Australia Day getaway without breaking the bank. A three-day adult ticket for the Island Classic January 25-27, purchased in advance, is just $82, 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, are available on islandclassic.com.au or at the gate.
Camping at the circuit is the way to go for a super affordable long weekend away.
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| | | | | Tourism body, Destination Phillip Island, has become the new naming rights sponsor of the International Island Classic, using the historic motorcycling event and its television broadcast to spread the holiday destination message of the idyllic seaside island that embraces nature and motorsport, worldwide.
The event will be known as the “International Island Classic, presented by Visit Phillip Island”.
Kim Storey, general manager of Destination Phillip Island, said the Island Classic was an important event on the region’s visitation calendar boosting the late January tourism economy with the arrival of teams and fans from both national and international markets.
“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,” said Storey.
David Bennett, general manager of the Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit, welcomed Destination Phillip Island to the Island Classic event.
“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,” said Bennett, encouraging people to go to the www.visitphillipisland.com website for more details. |
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| | | | Island Classic goes Worldwide |
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| | | Further value for Destination Phillip Island lies in a new initiative for 2019 – a two hour television programme. Production will focus on the headline act, the International Challenge and the telecast will ensures viewers are introduced to the myriad of Phillip Island experiences that lie outside the circuit.
International 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.
In Australia the Island Classic broadcast will be screened later in February on SBS’s Speed Week and on Foxsports and following streamed on five on-line platforms.
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| | Get Ready for a Great Australia Day Weekend Away |
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| | | Pack up the family, or grab your mates, and head to Phillip Island and the 26th International Island Classic for a great summer long weekend away. As long as they are accompanied by a full paying adult, Kids 15 and under are free for event entry AND camping. Camp on circuit and you’ve a super affordable Phillip Island escape, so go to www.islandclassic.com.au to get your tickets and camp spot sorted. Alternatively go to www.visitphillipisland.com.au for a myriad of accommodation options from apartments to hotels and motels and holiday houses and we’ll see you next weekend.
*All prices quoted are advance tickets. Advance ticket sales end midday Wednesday 23 January 2019. Buy advance and save. Gate ticket prices are additional.
www.visitphillipisland.com.au shows all Phillip Island has to offer
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