AMCN BACK ON BOARD FOR ISLAND CLASSIC NUMBER 24

Twenty four years in partnership is a long time in any relationship, so there’s a lot to celebrate when the country’s heralded motorcycle title, Australian Motorcycle News and the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, team up for the 24^th occasion to present the AMCN International Island Classic next January.

To be run just after Australia Day from January 27-29, the event has grown to become one of the largest historic motorcycle races in the world and tickets go on sale Thursday November 10 from www.islandclassic.com.au

Over 500 bikes, from all corners of the globe, are heading for the world’s motorcycling mecca, Phillip Island, to race with many more historic bikes adding to the colour of the weekend in displays and on parade.

Some of the machines 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’s 56 races on the agenda, all between four and six laps, with the headline act the International Challenge featuring teams from UK, Ireland, USA, NZ and host nation, Australia.

“It goes without saying that Australian Motorcycle News is proud and excited to continue its association with this great annual event,” said Chris Dobie, AMCN editor.

“To put the history of AMCN’s partnership with the annual historic event into perspective, when the first International Island Classic was held in 1993, Honda’s RC45 was about to replace the equally legendary RC30, Michael Doohan was yet to win a 500cc world title and the man responsible for forging the association between Phillip Island and AMCN, Ken Wootton, was at the helm of the magazine which had only recently celebrated its 40th birthday.

 “While the International Challenge between teams from Australia, United Kingdom, Ireland, United States and New Zealand remains the event’s main drawcard, the classic bikes and exciting racing on display across all the categories is the reason why fans flock to the circuit and why AMCN loves being involved.”

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 ten years of Australian domination, the UK team led by Roger Winfield and Keith Higgs eventually broke the Aussie stronghold in 2015 and backed it up with a thumping victory in 2016.

We’ve a sneak peek at the UK line up and it is once again formidable, led by the highly talented former MotoGP star, Jeremy McWilliams – who has won the individual Ken Wootton trophy on three occasions – and his Isle of Man compatriot, 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 MD, 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.

“We love that 95% 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,” said Fergus Cameron, managing director of the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit.

“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.

“In the paddock, there are displays and parades, plenty of tinkering and chatting and sharing stories about bikes.   But on the track it is serious business particularly in our premier International Challenge class where competition is fierce.”   

 Tickets are on sale from Thursday November 10 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 just $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*, so book your ticket now for a VIP experience like no other.

Gates open at 8am each day with qualifying and racing from 9am.    Save by buying tickets in advance on www.islandclassic.com.au or call the circuit direct on (03) 5952 2710.  Tickets also available at gate.

*All ticket prices quoted are in advance.  Book in advance and Save!