Teams announced for Island Classic

The line-ups have been announced for the marquee International Challenge event at the 2014 International Island Classic at Phillip Island

Judging by the recently revealed team line-ups making their way to Phillip Island for the 2014 AMCN International Island Classic, the event’s headline event – the Tahbilk International Challenge – promises to be a fiery clash where egos and national pride are laid on the line.

Dozens of racing greats from Australia, the UK, the USA and New Zealand will be converging on the Victorian circuit over January 24-26, and locking horns in an epic display of talent and classic-bike mastery.

The clash, which thus far has seen Australia defeat all comers, will see new rules rolled out to level the playing field, with the winning nation determined by the accumulated points awarded to each team’s top five riders across the four six-lap races. Previously the points accrued by all riders in each 10-rider team were counted.

However, local gun Steve Martin (pictured) said the altered rules wouldn’t affect the outcome.

“The Poms keep on changing the rules until they win, so they’ll have to win eventually,” quipped Martin. “I’m all for it. Bring them over – they can have the strongest team they want. We’ve still got a great depth of riding talent.

“It’s great news to hear that John McGuinness is coming out. They may have the big names, but they still have to put down the lap times. One thing’s for sure: I’m not gonna let McGuinness beat me!”

Fellow Aussie rider and TT ace, Cameron Donald, said he was relishing the challenge of meeting McGuinness on his [Donald’s] home turf.

“I won’t underestimate John because he’s a great rider and he has been doing lots of short circuit racing over the last few years in world endurance events, so racing at Phillip Island isn’t going to be such a surprise for him,” said Donald.

“We’ve had some great battles but it will be good to take on John in my own backyard for a change. He’s definitely going to make it a lot harder for Australia to win. McWilliams is also brilliant and Brogan is an exceptional rider too.”

The provisional team line-ups, which will eventually be trimmed down to 10 riders each, are as follows:

AUSTRALIA

Team captain: Rex Wolfenden

Riders: Shawn Giles (Suzuki Katana); Steve Martin (Suzuki Katana); Robbie Phillis (Suzuki XR69); Malcolm Campbell (Honda RS); Beau Beaton (Irving Vincent Black Lightning); Cameron Donald (Suzuki XR69); Michael Dibb (Honda Harris F1); Brendan Roberts (Suzuki Katana); Stuart Loly (Suzuki GSX1100); Laurie Fyffe (Suzuki GSX1100); Scott Webster (Moto-Martin Kawasaki); Peter Mizzi (Honda CB1100R).

Team captain: Keith Higgs/Roger Winfield

Riders: Jeremy McWilliams (Suzuki Harris F1); John McGuinness (Honda Harris F1); Gary Johnson (Suzuki Harris F1 XR69); Steve Brogan (Suzuki Harris F1 XR69); Mike Edwards (Harris F1); Mick Godfrey (Suzuki Harris F1); Barry Ditchburn (Yamaha TZ750); Craig Ditchburn (Yamaha TZ750D); Jim Agombar (Yamaha TZ); Clive Warner (Yamaha TZ); Rick Kwok (P&M Kawasaki TTF1); Derek Brown (Harris Magnum); Keith Higgs (P&M Kawasaki TTF1); Phil Davenport (Yamaha TZF).

NEW ZEALAND

Team captain: Kevin Grey

Riders: Kevin Grey (Suzuki McIntosh); Roger Gunn (Suzuki Katana); Russell Keen (Suzuki GSX); Trevor Taylor (Yamaha TZF); John Reid (Yamaha XJ550); Glen Hindle (Suzuki GSX1100); Glen Crutchley (P&M Kawasaki); Rob Ruwoldt (Harris Kawasaki); Albert Tehennepe (Kawasaki Z1000J); Trevor Manley (Honda CBX); Mark McVeigh (Kawasaki Z1000J); John Pace (Suzuki GSX1100S); Alistair Maxwell (Trident GSX1100).

USA

Team captain: Dave Crussell

Riders: Dave Crussell (Kawasaki TZ750); Brian Filo (P&M Kawasaki); Ottis Lance (Suzuki GS1000S2); James McKay (Kawasaki Z1R); Joe Weir (Suzuki GS/Kat); Deano Swims (Suzuki Katana); Shawn Reilly (Yamaha TZ750); Rob Mesa (Yamaha TZ); Joe Pethoud (Honda CB900F); Mike Studzinski (Yamaha TZ250).

The Tahbilk International Challenge competitors are on track all three days of competition with two races scheduled for Saturday and two races for Sunday.

An adult three-day general-admission ticket is $70, while an adult GA Sunday ticket is $45. Kids aged 15 and under are in for free when accompanied by an adult. On-circuit camping, purchased in advanced, costs from $55 per adult, with kids 15 and under free.

For more information visit www.islandclassic.com.au or call (03) 5952 2710.

Teams announced for Island Classic

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