Rex Wolfenden predicts Gilesy and McWilliams to be one-two
Wolfenden says this is Englands best chance of winning – By Russell Colvin
Plus Full Island Classic Race Schedule and International Challenge Entry List
We are just only days away from the twenty-second running of the AMCN International Island Classic, which as always is shaping up to be a rip snorter of a weekend.
A whopping 526 bikes are entered, a handy increase on the 490 machines that raced in 2014. The event program has also grown from forty-four races to a busy fifty-six race event program.
To get an inside look on this weekend, who better else to ask than the Australian team captain, Rex Wolfenden. MCNews.com.au dropped by Wolfenden’s headquarters, T-Rex Racing in Heidelberg West, to get his view on the weekend ahead.
Wolfenden, who will run two bikes this weekend for both Michael Dibb and former BSB racer Paul Young said, “This is a huge weekend for sure! It is the biggest numbers and biggest event that Phillip Island has put on sure. It’s looking like it will be one of the best weekend by far.”
In terms of the Tahbilk International Challenge, Wolfenden believes England have got the strongest team that they have ever had for 2015. “England have got the best chance of winning that they have ever had this year. I would suspect that their bikes will be a little faster than they were last year.
“They have experimented with their Yamaha engines last year and had no trouble. I would suspect it will take them a little further along to gaining more speed.”
The big question is… Can Team Australia be victorious once again?
According to Wolfenden the Australian team is good, but maybe not as strong as it has been before. “Paul Young, who will be riding my Honda Harris, is a bit of an ‘unknown’. Paul has spent little time on the bike, I don’t know if he can do the job that Michael [Dibb] was doing.
“Unfortunately the Australian team have lost Beau Beaton on the Vincent, who was my second highest point scorer for three years in a row.
“So as I said England have got the best chance of winning this year.
“However, don’t forget they score with only the first five riders from each country, so your first ten places will traditionally be England and Australia over the line the first time in the first ten places. It might come down to a shootout out of that ten, what percentage you can get your team up in the highest places to score more points, and I think England have got a big chance.”
MCNews.com.au also asked Wolfenden to give his opinion on the two new recruitments for the Australian team, 2011 FIM European Superstock 600 champion Jed Metcher and the 2012-2013-2014 Victorian Supersport champion, Ryan Taylor. Wolfenden said that Taylor is excellent, but the Yamaha TZ750 has to go the distance. “Even though Craig Ditchburn is at the helm, those bikes are very hard to get a full race meeting out of them. Ryan will be certainly up for the challenge; I have no doubt about that. Whether he is quite up to the podium position I am not too sure, but he will score good points.
“In regards to Jed, he is an absolute gun! I’m not too sure that Jed’s Katana is quite fast enough. I know that they have used a new engine and Scott [Owen] is still working hard. I think Jed is a great inclusion into the team! But again I can’t base anything on last year with Ryan or Jed because they were not there, but I am hoping they will step up. Both Ryan and Jed are great inclusion for the team.”
We also put the sixty-year-old on the spot and asked him for his predictions on a top three finish for this weekend and this is what he thinks. “My top three pick, eliminating engine failures or crashes and you need a crystal ball. If everything goes reasonably smoothly, I still can’t see anyone doing better than Shawn [Giles] and Jeremy [McWilliams]. It’s simple, they are two clearly the best riders, the rest of the riders around them are excellent, however when push comes to shove, Shawn is hard to beat and McWilliams is on a mission.
“You know, it takes a bit of luck as well. Bike failure, bike problems and you can go out of the points. They would certainly be my first two.
“For my third rider to finish in third would be Glen Richards. With the right bike, Glen would be a chance and be a top scorer because he is fast enough and with his previous history and his age and everything he could do very well. However because he has not spent a lot of time on one of these bikes, so it’s a little bit unknown.
“The bloke you couldn’t count out as well is Brendan Roberts. He is just getting better. Really lovely bloke, he set the fastest lap last year, he will be there and his bike will be better and of course he will be better.
“So I have to go down with that top four, it’s a bit hard with three, the top four that is where it will be. Although top two I would still go between Gilesy and McWilliams.”
Practice gets underway this Friday at 9am, check further down the page for the full schedule.






2015 Island Classic Schedule
Friday 23rd January 2015 | ||
Start 0900 |
||
Q1 |
Pre-War, 125 Post Classic & Forgotten Era, 250 Classic & Post Classic | 14 min |
Q1 |
350 Classic & 500 Forgotten Era | 14 min |
Q1 |
Unlimited Forgotten Era – Odds | 14 min |
Q1 |
Unlimited Forgotten Era – Evens | 14 min |
Q1 |
Unlimited Classic | 14 min |
Q1 |
Unlimited Post Classic | 14 min |
Q1 |
Pablo’s Motorcycle Tyres New Era Formula 750 | 14 min |
Q1 |
350 Forgotten Era | 14 min |
Q1 |
Pablo’s Motorcycle Tyres New Era Formula 1300 & Invitational P6 Open | 14 min |
Q1 |
500 Classic & 350 Post Classic | 14 min |
Q1 |
Tahbilk International Challenge | 20 min |
Q1 |
250 New Era & 250 New Era Production | 14 min |
Q1 |
250 Forgotten Era & 125 New Era | 14 min |
Q1 |
500 Post Classic & 500 New Era | 14 min |
Q2 |
Pre-War, 125 Post Classic & Forgotten Era, 250 Classic & Post Classic | 14 min |
Q2 |
350 Classic & 500 Forgotten Era | 14 min |
Q2 |
Unlimited Forgotten Era – Odds | 14 min |
Q2 |
Unlimited Forgotten Era – Evens | 14 min |
Q2 |
Unlimited Classic | 14 min |
Q2 |
Unlimited Post Classic | 14 min |
Q2 |
Pablo’s Motorcycle Tyres New Era Formula 750 | 14 min |
Q2 |
350 Forgotten Era | 14 min |
Q2 |
Pablo’s Motorcycle Tyres New Era Formula 1300 & Invitational P6 Open | 14 min |
Q2 |
500 Classic & 350 Post Classic | 14 min |
Q2 |
Tahbilk International Challenge | 20 min |
Q2 |
250 New Era & 250 New Era Production | 14 min |
Q2 |
250 Forgotten Era & 125 New Era | 14 min |
Q2 |
500 Post Classic & 500 New Era | 14 min |
Finish 1700 |
Saturday 24th January 2015 | ||
Start 0900 | ||
E1* | Pre-War, 125 Post Classic & Forgotten Era, 250 Classic & Post Classic | 4 Laps |
E2* | 350 Classic & 500 Forgotten Era | 4 Laps |
E3* | Unlimited Forgotten Era – Premier | 4 Laps |
E4* | Unlimited Forgotten Era – Minor | 4 Laps |
E5* | Unlimited Classic | 4 Laps |
E6* | Unlimited Post Classic | 4 Laps |
E7* | Pablo’s Motorcycle Tyres New Era Formula 750 | 4 Laps |
D1 | Demonstration Laps | 2 Laps |
E8* | Pablo’s Motorcycle Tyres New Era Formula 1300 & Invitational P6 Open | 4 Laps |
E9* | 250 New Era & 250 New Era Production | 4 Laps |
E10* | Tahbilk International Challenge | 6 Laps |
E11* | 500 Classic & 350 Post Classic | 4 Laps |
E12* | 350 Forgotten Era | 4 Laps |
E13* | 250 Forgotten Era & 125 New Era | 4 Laps |
E14* | 500 Post Classic & 500 New Era | 4 Laps |
E15* | Pre-War, 125 Post Classic & Forgotten Era, 250 Classic & Post Classic | 4 Laps |
E16* | 350 Classic & 500 Forgotten Era | 4 Laps |
E17* | Unlimited Forgotten Era – Premier | 4 Laps |
E18* | Unlimited Forgotten Era – Minor | 4 Laps |
D2 | Demonstration Laps | 2 Laps |
E19* | Unlimited Classic | 4 Laps |
E20* | Unlimited Post Classic | 4 Laps |
E21* | Tahbilk International Challenge | 6 Laps |
E22* | Pablo’s Motorcycle Tyres New Era Formula 750 | 4 Laps |
E23* | 250 New Era & 250 New Era Production | 4 Laps |
E24* | Pablo’s Motorcycle Tyres New Era Formula 1300 & Invitational P6 Open | 4 Laps |
E25* | 500 Classic & 350 Post Classic | 4 Laps |
E26* | 350 Forgotten Era | 4 Laps |
E27* | 250 Forgotten Era & 125 New Era | 4 Laps |
E28* | 500 Post Classic & 500 New Era | 4 Laps |
Finish 1700 | ||
Sunday 25th January 2015 | ||
Start 0900 | ||
E29* | Pre-War, 125 Post Classic & Forgotten Era, 250 Classic & Post Classic | 4 Laps |
E30* | 350 Classic & 500 Forgotten Era | 4 Laps |
E31* | Unlimited Forgotten Era – Premier | 4 Laps |
E32* | Unlimited Forgotten Era – Minor | 4 Laps |
E33* | Unlimited Classic | 4 Laps |
E34* | Unlimited Post Classic | 4 Laps |
E35* | Pablo’s Motorcycle Tyres New Era Formula 750 | 4 Laps |
D3 | Demonstration Laps | 2 Laps |
E36* | Pablo’s Motorcycle Tyres New Era Formula 1300 & Invitational P6 Open | 4 Laps |
E37* | 250 New Era & 250 New Era Production | 4 Laps |
E38* | Tahbilk International Challenge | 6 Laps |
E39* | 500 Classic & 350 Post Classic | 4 Laps |
E40* | 350 Forgotten Era | 4 Laps |
E41* | 250 Forgotten Era & 125 New Era | 4 Laps |
E42* | 500 Post Classic & 500 New Era | 4 Laps |
E43* | Pre-War, 125 Post Classic & Forgotten Era, 250 Classic & Post Classic | 4 Laps |
E44* | 350 Classic & 500 Forgotten Era | 4 Laps |
E45* | Unlimited Forgotten Era – Premier | 4 Laps |
E46* | Unlimited Forgotten Era – Minor | 4 Laps |
D4 | Demonstration Laps | 2 Laps |
E47* | Unlimited Classic | 4 Laps |
E48* | Unlimited Post Classic | 4 Laps |
E49* | Tahbilk International Challenge | 6 Laps |
E50* | Pablo’s Motorcycle Tyres New Era Formula 750 | 4 Laps |
E51* | 250 New Era & 250 New Era Production | 4 Laps |
E52* | Pablo’s Motorcycle Tyres New Era Formula 1300 & Invitational P6 Open | 4 Laps |
E53* | 500 Classic & 350 Post Classic | 4 Laps |
E54* | 350 Forgotten Era | 4 Laps |
E55* | 250 Forgotten Era & 125 New Era | 4 Laps |
E56* | 500 Post Classic & 500 New Era | 4 Laps |
Finish 1700 | ||
* Points awarded toward the Phil Irving Perpetual trophy |
Australia | ||||
No |
Name |
Make & Model |
Year |
Cap |
19 |
Shawn Giles | Suzuki Katana |
1982- |
1294 |
23 |
Laurie Fyffe | Suzuki Harris |
1980- |
1166 |
24 |
Brendan Roberts | Suzuki Katana |
1982- |
1294 |
32 |
Robbie Phillis | Suzuki XR69 |
1982- |
1240 |
36 |
John Pace | Suzuki Katana |
1982- |
1100 |
52 |
Ryan Taylor | Yamaha TZ750D |
1978- |
750 |
76 |
Scott Webster | Moto-Martin Suzuki |
1982- |
1200 |
86 |
Cameron Donald | Suzuki XR69 |
1981- |
1260 |
91 |
Jed Metcher | Suzuki Katana |
1980- |
1300 |
96 |
Paul Young | Honda Harris F1 |
1982- |
1100 |
99 |
Steve Martin | Suzuki Katana |
1982- |
1294 |
124 |
Peter Mizzi | Honda CB1100R |
1982- |
1100 |
Captain Rex Wolfenden | ||||
New Zealand | ||||
No |
Name |
Make & Model |
Year |
Cap |
10 |
Damien Kavney | Suzuki XR69 |
1982- |
1260 |
41 |
Terry Morris | Nico Bakker TZ |
1980- |
350 |
50 |
Glenn Hindle | Suzuki XR69 |
1982- |
1170 |
76 |
Todd Sutherland | Yamaha TZ350 |
1980- |
350 |
94 |
Grant Dalton | Suzuki XR69 |
1980- |
1100 |
107 |
Roger Gunn | Suzuki Katana |
1980- |
1300 |
111 |
Duncan Coutts | Suzuki GSX1100 |
1982- |
1100 |
133 |
Andrew McLaren | McIntosh TZ350 |
1979- |
350 |
133 |
Wayne Gow | Moto Guzzi LeMans |
1982- |
1000 |
203 |
Vince Burrell | Moto Guzzi Le Mans |
1980- |
1000 |
444 |
Mike Meskell | Suzuki Katana |
1980- |
1260 |
949 |
Brad Phelan | Yamaha RD |
1976- |
400 |
Captain Kevin Grey and Stu Avant | ||||
United Kingdom | ||||
No |
Name |
Make & Model |
Year |
Cap |
10 |
Conor Cummins | Honda Harris F1 |
1982- |
1150 |
17 |
Ryan Farquhar | Yamaha Harris F1 |
1984- |
1250 |
26 |
Keith Higgs | Harris Magnum |
1978- |
1260 |
31 |
Craig Ditchburn | Yamaha TZ750 |
1978- |
750 |
33 |
Richard Peers-Jones | Yamaha TZH |
1980- |
347 |
33 |
Jim Agombar | Yamaha TZ |
1979- |
750 |
35 |
Clive Warner | Yamaha TZ |
1979- |
750 |
75 |
Glen Richards | Suzuki Harris F1 |
1982- |
1277 |
77 |
Derek Brown | Harris Kawasaki XR69 |
1982- |
1170 |
77 |
John McGuinness | Honda Harris F1 |
1982- |
1150 |
99 |
Jeremy McWilliams | Yamaha Harris F1 |
1984- |
1297 |
121 |
Mike Edwards | Suzuki Harris F1 |
1982- |
1230 |
162 |
Rick Kwok | Kawasaki P&M TTF1 |
1978- |
1230 |
Captain Keith Higgs | ||||
United States | ||||
No |
Name |
Make & Model |
Year |
Cap |
7 |
Wade Boyd | Kawasaki KZ1000 Classic |
1980- |
1000 |
16 |
Danial ‘Joe’ Weir | Suzuki GS Katana |
1982- |
1260 |
45 |
Edwin Haazer | Kawasaki Z1000 MKII |
1979- |
1200 |
66 |
Rob Mesa | Yamaha TZ |
1978- |
750 |
117 |
David Crussell | Yamaha TZ |
1978- |
748 |
135 |
Ralph Hudson | Suzuki GSX1100 |
1982- |
1177 |
136 |
Brian Filo | Yamaha P & M |
1978- |
1260 |
888 |
James McKay | Suzuki GSX 1260 |
1982- |
1260 |
999 |
Anthony Bann | Suzuki GS1000 |
1978- |
1280 |
999 |
Jason Smith | Suzuki GS1100 |
1982- |
1100 |
Captain David Crussell |
Island Classic 2015 – Book your tickets now!