Wayne Gardner heads record international entry list for 2009 Island Classic
Wayne Gardner, the 1987 World 500GP Champion, is set to defend his ‘fastest man’ crown at the Australian Motorcycle News-sponsored 2009 International Island Classic for Historic motorcycles, scheduled for the 23-25 January Australia Day weekend at Victoria’s Phillip Island Grand Prix race circuit.
Gardner holds the outright lap record for a Historic motorcycle at the 4.45km circuit with a 1:42.451, set at the 2008 meeting aboard a 1980 Honda CB900F Superbike.
“This circuit has lots of great memories for me, and I’ve had some of my best races at Phillip Island,” said Gardner, who won back-to-back Australian GPs at the circuit in 1989 and 1990. “The chance to race at the Island again is too good to pass up – I really enjoyed my previous Historic outings in 2006 and again last year.”
The inclusion of Gardner in the Island Classic entry list boosts a record field that already 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, both of whom will contest the International Challenge for pre-1980 Forgotten Era machines.
Total entries for the meeting, Australia’s premier historic event, are in excess of 200, but it is the International Challenge for Forgotten Era teams from UK, New Zealand and Australia which headlines the event. A record number of 108 riders have nominated for the 1973-1980 350-1300cc Forgotten Era category at the 2009 International Island Classic.
The International Challenge, a team event for the fastest 45 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), current British Superbike rider David Johnson (McIntosh Kawasaki), and leading New Zealand contender Vince Sharpe (1978 Honda CB900F).
Although large-capacity 1980s-vintage four-stroke Superbikes and F1 bikes dominate the Forgotten Era entry list, five Yamaha TZ750s and four Suzuki RG500 GP two-strokes will ensure a competitive mix of machines for the four International Challenge races.
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), multiple Pro-Twin champion Craig McMartin (1978 Irving Vincent) and Formula Xtreme front-runner Michael Dibb (1978 Honda CBX1000/6) heading the local challenge.
Gardner is forsaking his lap-record holding CB900F and will ride a higher-spec 1980 T-Rex Honda CB1100R at the event.
“This is the category of bike that kick-started my international career back in 1980, so I have to thank Rex (Wolfenden) for giving me the opportunity to ride his bikes,” said Gardner. “It was a great era in Australian racing, and that’s reflected in the crowd interest.”
The meeting will also host events for the other major Historic categories, including Classic, Post-classic and sidecar. More details 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
