Brookes to replace Donald
Cameron Donald has broken his jaw, but there's a fairly handy replacement for the Island Classic in the form of Phillip Island specialist Josh BrookesIn a dramatic 11th hour development, Josh Brookes has been drafted in to replace injured compatriot Cameron Donald on Australia’s International Challenge team for this weekend’s Island Classic historic meeting at Phillip Island.
Donald, the Isle of Man star, broke his jaw in a dirt bike crash last weekend and had it pinned and plated on Saturday night. With his jaw so swollen he can not even put his helmet on, the Melbourne rider had no choice but to withdraw from this weekend’s meeting.
But his substitute is more than handy, with Brookes a former world Supersport winner around the Phillip Island grand prix circuit, and now a leading contender in the British Superbike Championship.
Brookes is now making a mercy dash back to Australia from his base in the UK, and he’ll head to Phillip Island on Friday to ride the Suzuki XR69 F1 machine for the first time.
Brookes’ teammates in Australia’s International Challenge team will include Shawn Giles, Malcolm Campbell, Rob Phillis and Steve Martin, while Jeremy McWilliams will lead the UK team, which is expected to push Australia all the way. A ‘World 13’ outfit will also compete.
Brookes’ last race at Phillip Island was in December, 2010, which saw him combine with great mate Wayne Maxwell to win the Australian Endurance Championship on a Honda. He’s now riding for Suzuki in the BSB title.
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