Can 2015 be Cameron Donald’s year at the Island Classic? By Russell Colvin
‘What if’s’ are sometimes asked in in life in general and motorsport racing its self. What if Mick Doohan never had crashed in Jerez in 1999, could he have gone on to win six world championships in row? What if Mark Webber didn’t crash in Korea in 2010, could he have gone on to win the 2010 F1 world championship?
What if Cam Donald’s bike didn’t go “pop” in the final International Challenge race last year at the AMCN Island Classic, the 37-year-old could he have gone on to claim his very first overall win and bring the famous Ken Wootton Memorial Trophy back to his home town in Warrandyte.
This weekend will mark Cameron Donald’s fifth appearance at this iconic event. In 2010, Donald piloted an 1962 Norton Manx 500 to fourth position in the 500cc Classic. 2011 saw the 2008 IOM TT Superbike and Superstock winner pick up a second position in the International Challenge, his first crack at the main races where Donald finished just two points behind the leading UK rider, Jeremy McWilliams. 2011 also saw the now chief road tester of Motorcycle Trader magazine claim the win in the 500cc Classic, smashing the field with four wins from four starts.
Unfortunately Donald was forced to withdraw from the 2012 Island Classic after breaking his jaw in a dirt bike crash. His jaw was so swollen that he was unable to put his helmet on. Taking his place in the Aussie team was Josh Brookes, a pretty well credentialled replacement himself!
2013 saw Donald claim third place in the run for the Ken Wootton Memorial Trophy after he scored a 3-4-8-4 result to score 145-points. Another victory was seen in the 500cc Classic division aboard the Norton Manx 500 and in the process was awarded the Phil Irving trophy, that Donald regards as very “special”, as like Donald, Phil Irving lived in Warrandyte.
Last year, Donald jumped out of the box early in qualifying one to set the tone with a 1min38.368 on his John Trease Suzuki XR69, .403 faster than fellow Aussie, Beau Beaton on the Irving Vincent.
Donald was pipped to pole by a slender .017 when McWilliams stopped the clock with a 1min38.376.
In race one and two Donald came home in second, behind McWilliams, it was in race three where Donald just got the nod over Shawn Giles (TBR/D&D/Springwood Suzuki Katana) by .044, which set the tone for the final bout.
Heading into the last race of the day, Donald headed the points table with 118-points from McWilliams on 117-points with Giles four points behind the Victorian ace. On the opening lap the bike expired which forced him to retire.
“It vibrated and went pop,” Donald said at the time before continuing in a more positive tone, “Practice went well, qualifying went well, two seconds and a win, it was a fantastic weekend all in all. It was a shame to end the weekend on a sour note with a mechanical problem, but that’s racing!”
McWilliams has also said the reason why he and the rest of the motorcycle racing nuts go to the Island Classic is to have a “good time!” “We go there to have a good time, but at the end of the day, we want to win!!” Yep, that’s a racer right there…
“Once again we have done our best to prepare, so let’s wait and see what happens this weekend.”
Donald also added that he would dearly love to win the International Challenge as it’s such a huge race meeting and so iconic.
This weekend, expect to see a very hungry Cam Donald as he tries to win that famous trophy that only Giles and McWilliams have held.
Action gets underway this Friday kicking off at 9am!
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!
