Australia dominates Island Classic openers – Gilesy on top
Australia has taken a solid lead over the UK and World 13 teams, after day one of the International Challenge at the Island Classic meet for historic bikes held at Phillip Island in perfect conditions today.
Three time Australian Superbike Champion, Shawn Giles and world endurance champion, Steve Martin seized first and second places in the opening two races – both aboard Suzuki Katanas – with Australia’s Beau Beaton (Irving Vincent), Robbie Phillis (Katana) and Malcolm Campbell (Honda CBR1100) also figuring in the top places to strengthen the local attack.
Best performances for the UK came from Jeremy McWilliams (Suzuki Harris F1 – 4th & 3rd) and Ryan Farquhar (Suzuki Harris F1 – 4th and 8th); while the World 13 team did not rate in the top ten results.
– Race One
An almighty battle had emerged between Giles, Martin and Sydney’s Josh Brookes in the opening race one – but the action came to a sudden end, when Brookes riding the Suzuki XR69 crashed at 230km/h while tipping into turn one when his bike’s exhaust pipe fell off and the race was red flagged.
Giles was declared the winner, Martin was awarded second and Australia’s Beau Beaton was third. The race was declared after three laps, with full points awarded, and Brookes was removed from the results due to causing the race stoppage. Brookes was unhurt.
– Race Two
In the six lap race two, the battle for victory was fought between Giles and Martin. Giles got the better of Martin on lap three when Martin missed a gear on his Suzuki Katana and went wide going into turn 4.
Giles seized the opportunity and took Martin up the inside. The duo were fearless in their fight to the finish, with Giles crossing .9 of a second in front of Martin.
In race two, UK team star, Jeremy McWilliams took third and Australia’s Beau Beaton was fourth, with Ireland’s Ryan Farquhar fifth pipping Australia’s Robbie Phillis 6th and and Mal Campbell 7th in a thrilling battle to the line.
Race One (decl after three laps )
1. Shawn Giles (AUS) – Suzuki Katana
2. Steve Martin (AUS) – Suzuki Katana
3. Beau Beaton (AUS) – Irving Vincent
4. Jeremy McWillians (UK) – Suzuki Harris F1
5. Robbie Phillis (AUS) – Suzuki Katana
6. Malcolm Campbell (AUS) – Honda CBR 1100
7. Ryan Farquhar (UK) – Suzuki Harris F1
8. Scott Webster (AUS) – Kawa Moto-Martin
Race Two
1. Shawn Giles
2. Steve Martin
3. Jeremy McWilliams
4. Beau Beaton
5. Ryan Farquhar
6. Robbie Phillis
7. Malcolm Campbell
8. Scott Webster
- Pictorial – Josh Brookes crash gallery (Josh is fine)
- Â Pictorial – Images from Island Classic – Gallery D
- Results – Island Classic Race Two Results (PDF)
- Results – Island Classic Race One Results (PDF – all classes)
- Results – Full Final Qualifying Results from Island Classic (PDF)
- Pictorial – Images from Island Classic – Gallery C
- Â Video – Island Classic Pit Bits #2
- Â Video – Island Classic Pit Bits #1
- Â Video – Lap of the Island on 1968 TR500
- Â Pictorial – Images from Island Classic – Gallery B
- Pictorial – Images from Island Classic – Gallery A
– ABOUT THE ISLAND CLASSIC
Over 250 riders – and 350 separate machines – are set to compete. Solo classes will feature for bikes dating back to pre-WWI, right through to Vintage (1920-1945), Classic (1946-1962), Post Classic (1963-1972), Forgotten Era (1973-1982) and the fledgling New Era (1983-1990) division. Sidecars will also compete
GATES open at 8am with racing from 9am till 5 pm. Kids 15 and under are free for the Island Classic.
For further… www.islandclassic.com.au