2019 International Island Classic
The 26th annual event will be held at Phillip Island on the Australia Day long weekendThe International Island Classic will return to Victoria’s Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit next Australia Day long weekend (January 25-27) – but without the crack UK team in the showpiece International Challenge.
After guiding the UK International Challenge offensive over the last decade – with three title wins from 2015-2017 – team principal Roger Winfield is unable to commit to a renewed effort due to budgetary cuts and new Australian legislation banning aviation fuel in motorsport from January 2019.
The UK squad has always run aviation fuel at the Classic (the fuel used in UK historic racing), and is unwilling to modify engines for the Australian government-mandated, super unleaded fuel.
But according to Fergus Cameron, managing director of the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, other UK team options are being explored.
“We’ve loved having Roger and his team at the Island Classic for well over 10 years but with the ban on aviation gas, we understand their reticence to compete,” said Cameron.
“We have UK riders that want to attend, and we are looking at our bike options so let’s just say the UK team is currently a work in progress.
“We’re well underway planning another great long-weekend of racing, with plenty of bikes, plenty of bike chatter and plenty of two-wheel heroics to enjoy so it’s time to plan a summer getaway to the island.”
With the UK out of the International Challenge – unless an 11th hour solution can be found – the teams’ event will now feature Australia, the USA and New Zealand.
Among the riders set to return for Australia are David Johnson – the local hero in 2018 – Beau Beaton, Steve Martin, Shawn Giles and Cam Donald.
International line-ups are taking shape with the USA promising the return of Jason Pridmore, Jake Zemke and Barrett Long, while New Zealand has Damien Kavney and Glenn Hindle back on board to head the Kiwi effort.
Featuring a century of motorcycles from pre-war machines through to the new era makes, the 26th International Island Classic will see an expected 500 historic bikes and 300 riders compete in 56 races over three days.
Tickets will go on sale in October at www.islandclassic.com.au.
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