Tickets on sale for 2017 Island Classic

If you’re a lover of motorcycles of all age and stages, then the AMCN
24th International Island Classic for historic bikes at the iconic
Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit should be high on your bucket list.

Now is the time to make the January 27-29 event your New Year reality, with entry tickets and camping on sale from today at www.islandclassic.com.au.

The
Island Classic has grown to become one of the largest historic
motorcycle racing events in the world. There are few historic meets that
could boast well over 500 machines taking to the race track and dicing
for titles like the fiercely contested International Challenge and the
Phil Irving Perpetual Trophy.

Now in its 13th year, the Challenge
features defending champion, the United Kingdom, returning to fight for
the 2017 crown against Australia (which held the title for 10 years),
New Zealand, Ireland and the USA.

Some of the motorcycles are
nearly a century old with bikes classified in one of 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.

There are 56 races on the program, all between
four and six laps, and if they are not racing, the historic machines
bring their colour to the paddock with displays or hit the track on
parade.

The event is a true bike fest with everything from old
Indians, Nortons and Vincents through to vintage Triumphs, Harleys and
Ducatis.

They all race, but when it comes to the International
Challenge the dog-eat-dog event is reserved for the bikes manufactured
between 1973 and 1984 and most of the riders come loaded with experience
and exceptional talent.

After 10 years of Australian domination,
the UK team eventually broke the Aussie stronghold in 2015 and backed it
up with a thumping victory in 2016.

The UK line-up will again be
formidable, led by the highly talented former MotoGP star Jeremy
McWilliams – who has won the individual Ken Wootton trophy on three
occasions –and John McGuinness.

Australian captain, Rex Wolfenden,
is deep in negotiation with leading Australian riders with the
prospective line-up to include Shawn Giles, Steve Martin, Cam Donald and
Jed Metcher, who topped the International Challenge individual point
score with McWilliams in 2016.

Mike Meskell will return for his
second bash at the title with his Irish squad; Dave Crussell will
captain the US team while the New Zealanders will have Duncan Coutts at
the helm.

Fergus Cameron, Phillip Island managing director, says
the event is pure heaven for bike lovers and is chuffed that people come
from all over the globe to spend a long weekend immersed in bike-lore.
He said: "We love that 95 percent of the bikes that travel to the event
actually are in tip-top condition, in fact in such good spec, that they
can compete in fierce racing on one of the most demanding circuits in
the world.

“It is a credit to the owners. Their mechanical
knowledge, their passion for racing, and the love and attention they put
into race-preparing their bikes is impressive.”

Tickets are on now sale at www.islandclassic.com.au,
with an advance three-day adult pass for $80* and children 15 and under
free. Add on-circuit camping for four nights for $75* per person,
purchased in advance.

VIP options are available in the Club
Classic Hospitality suite above pit lane. Club Classic offers the
flexibility of a single day starting from $150* or weekend package from
$235*.

Gates will open at 8:00am each day with qualifying and racing from 9:00am.

*All ticket prices quoted are in advance.