Gardner shooting for Island lap record on CB1100R
Wayne Gardner, the 1987 World 500GP Champion, is leaving no stone unturned in his quest to defend his ‘fastest man’ crown at this weekend’s Australian Motorcycle News-sponsored 2009 International Island Classic for Historic motorcycles.
To be held across Australia Day weekend (23-25 January) at Victoria’s Phillip Island Grand Prix race circuit, the International Island Classic is Australia’s largest race meeting for Historic motorcycles. In excess of 200 entries have been received for the event, including a large contingent from the UK and New Zealand.
Gardner, who rode his Honda NSR500 to two famous back-to-back victories in the 1989 and 1990 Australian Motorcycle Grands Prix at the circuit, currently holds the outright lap record for a Historic motorcycle at the 4.45km circuit at 1:42.451.
Gardner’s lap record was set at the 2008 International Island Classic on a 1978 Honda CB900F Superbike, but he has been offered a higher-spec 1980 Honda CB1100R for the 2009 event by T-Rex Racing, owner of both bikes.
“Both models have great memories for me,” said Gardner. “A CB900 Superbike is what kick-started my international career when I won the Unlimited race at Sandown in 1980, and the CB1100R is what I won the Castrol 6-hour race on.
“It was a great era in Australian racing, and that’s reflected in the crowd interest in these sorts of bikes,” added Gardner. “I have to thank Rex (Wolfenden) for giving me the opportunity to ride his T-Rex bikes and relive some of those memories.”
Gardner’s entry in the Island Classic entry list boosts a record field that includes two-times Australian Superbike champion Malcolm Campbell on a Suzuki RG500 grand prix bike and Superbike legend Robbie Phillis on a Suzuki GSX1100 Superbike. Phillis, who placed third in the 1991 and 1992 Superbike World Championships, is the reigning Australian Historic champion in the category.
The International Challenge for teams from UK, New Zealand and Australia headlines the 2009 Island Classic, with a record number of 108 riders nominating for the 1973-1980 350-1300cc Forgotten Era category.
The International Challenge, a team event for the fastest 45 Forgotten Era riders from Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, has attracted many of the world’s leading Historic racers, including Isle of Man TT winners Stan Woods (Suzuki RG500) and Geoff McMullan (Moriwaki Kawaski F1), leading international Classic racer John Cronshaw (BSA), current British Superbike rider David Johnson (McIntosh Kawasaki), and leading New Zealand contender Vince Sharpe (1978 Honda CB900F).
The visitors will have their work cut out against the strongest Australian team yet assembled for the event, with Gardner (1980 Honda CB1100R), Campbell (1980 Suzuki RG500), Phillis (1980 Suzuki GSX1100), multiple Australian Historic champions Peter Guest and Karl Corpe (both 1978 Kawasaki Z1Rs), Scott Webster (1980 Moto Martin Kawasaki) and Formula Xtreme front-runner Michael Dibb (1978 Honda CBX1000/6) heading the local challenge.
Campbell took overall victory at both the 2008 Island Classic and the 2008 MotoGP support events on his Suzuki RG500 GP two-stroke, with Gardner the current Unlimited Forgotten Era lap record holder at the 4.45km circuit.
Phillis, the reigning Australian Forgotten Era champion, has yet to beat Gardner and Campbell in a head-to-head showdown, his recent major-meeting drought including losing out to Corpe at both World Superbike support events at Phillip Island in 2007 and 2008.
“Let’s just say I’m determined to prove a point,” said Phillis. “There are some egos on the line.”
The meeting will also host events for the other major Historic categories – including Classic, Post-classic and sidecar – with interest centring on whether South Australian Mandy Beales can add her name to the Island lap record honour roll for the premier 500 Classic class on her 1962 Honda 500.
Beales became the first female to win an Australian road racing championship when she took victory in the 350cc Classic category at the 2009 Australian Historic Championship. The Adelaide mortician will be chasing a 500 Classic lap record that has previously been held by Barry Sheene and Wayne Gardner, with Kiwi Dave Cole the current incumbent at 1:49.030, set at 2008’s event on his 1962 Matchless G50.
More details on the Island Classic at www.phillipislandcircuit.com.au, tel (03) 5952 2710.
FAST FACTS:
What: Australian Motorcycle News International Island Classic
When: 23-25 January, 2009
Where: Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit
How much:
Friday – adult $15.00, children under 16 free
Saturday – adult $27.00, children 5-15 $7.00, under 5 free
Sunday – adult $37.00, children 5-15 $7.00, under 5 free
3-day ticket – adult $60
Tickets available at the gate
* Pensioner Concession available
General Information:
Gates open to the Public 8.00am each day
Practice commences 9.00am each day
Racing commences Saturday 11.30am
Racing commences Sunday 9.00am
Free Paddock access on all days
On-site parking in Gardner Straight spectator area
Walking access to all other spectator areas
Food and liquor sales on site
For further information: tel (03) 5952 2710; www.phillipislandcircuit.com.au