The final pieces of the pie for the 2017 AMCN International Island Classic on the Australia Day long weekend (January 27-29) are now in place, with New Zealand and America announcing their teams to compete in the showpiece International Challenge teams' event at the iconic Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit.

Both squads feature a mix of native and Aussie-based talent, with the American line-up featuring David Crussell (Yamaha TZ750), Pat Mooney (Yamaha FJ1200), Barrett Long (TZ750), Daniel Weir (Suzuki GS), Ralph Hudson (FJ1200) and James McKay (Kawasaki Mk II), joined by locals Malcolm Campbell (Suzuki XR69) and Robert Ruwoldt (Harris Kawasaki).

Long, the son of renowned road racer John Long, is a real sharp-shooter. A new addition to the American team, he entered professional racing in the old 250cc GP class and has been a Ducati rider in recent years. He raced as a wildcard in the 250 GP at Indianapolis in 2009, and in 2015 finished ninth in MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 title.

Meanwhile, Weir, Mooney, Hudson and Crussell will all back up from the 2016 International Challenge. Fifty-one-year-old Weir only began racing in 2005, but since then has packed a lot into his career – and a lot of winning as well, including three titles in the American classic ranks.

New Zealand also has a core of returning riders as it seeks redemption after propping up the International Challenge ladder over the last two years. Simon Richards (Suzuki Katana), Vince Sharpe (XR69), Castrol 6-Hour placegetter Pete Byers (Suzuki GSX1100), Danny Deste (Honda CB1100R) and Barry Sheene Festival of Speed winner Damien Mackie (TZ750) are back for more, joined by Island Classic stalwart Damien Kavney (XR69), multiple Australian historic champion Glenn Hindle (XR69), Roger Gunn (GSX1100) and Duncan Coutts (GSX1100) to make up the nine-rider squad.

Only eight riders from each team can contest the four International Challenge races, so New Zealand – like Australia and the United Kingdom – will have to do some pruning before each race.

The International Challenge is reserved for machines built between 1973 and 1984, with Ireland also joining Australia, New Zealand, America and United Kingdom in the event. It first began in 2005 and was dominated by Australia until the United Kingdom snapped the local winning streak in 2015 and then retained the silverware in 2016.

The Island Classic will begin with qualifying and racing on Friday, January 27, followed by two full days of racing  on Saturday and Sunday (January 28-29) with a total of 56 races over the weekend, starting with pre-WWI machines and then taking in different eras and capacities. Sidecars will also join solos in the program.


New Zealand International Challenge Team - Captain Duncan Coutts

6     - Damian Mackie - Yamaha TZ750 1978 750
10   - Damien Kavney - Suzuki XR69 1982 1260
46   - Danny Deste - Honda CB1100R 1980 1155
50   - Glenn Hindle - Suzuki XR69 1980 1170
107 - Roger Gunn - Suzuki GSX1100SD 1982 1294
146 - Vince Sharpe - Harris Suzuki XR69 1981 1280
211 - Simon Richards - Suzuki Katana 1981 1260
335 - Duncan Coutts - Suzuki GSX 1982 1100
427 - Pete Byers - Suzuki GSX 1982 1100

United States International Challenge Team - Captain Dave Crussell

3     - Malcolm Campbell - Suzuki XR69 1980 1221
11   - Pat Mooney - CMR Yamaha FJ1100 1982 1200
17   - David Crussell - Yamaha TZ750 1978 748
29   - Barrett Long - Yamaha TZ750 1980 750
62   - Robert Ruwoldt - Harris Kawasaki F1 1980 1200
116 - Danial 'Joe' Weir - Suzuki GS 1980 1260
351 - Ralph Hudson - Yamaha FJ1100 1980 1250
888 - James McKay - Kawasaki Mark 2 1979 1200

Simon Richards of New Zealand on the Suzuki Katana at the 2016 Island Classic

Dave Crussell of the USA on his Yamaha TZ 750

 
Returning stars, new faces, Aussie redemption, a "special guest" in the legendary Britten V 1000  and a plethora of iconic historic bikes and riders are about to descend on Phillip Island  Grand Prix circuit for the 24th AMCN International Island Classic from January 27-29.

Now one of the largest historic motorcycle racing events in the world, the Island Classic is not only a pilgrimage for so many as they watch their favourite riders and bikes slug it out over 56 races - as well as getting up close and personal with them in the pits - but it has a massive no-holds-barred element to it as well: the International Challenge teams' event between Australia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand and America.

Action begins with practice and qualifying on Friday, January 27, and on Saturday and Sunday (January 28-29) there will be non-stop racing, with all battles between four and six laps and catering for bikes from pre-WW1 bikes through to Vintage (1920-1945), Classic and Post Classic (from 1946 to 1972), and the more recent Forgotten Era and New Era classes. Sidecars will also join solos on the program.

As well as the Japanese Big Four, other manufacturers on the Island Classic grids will include BSA, Triumph, Harley-Davidson, Ducati, Matchless, Norton, Vincent, Ariel, Indian, Aermacchi, Bultaco and Adler, as well as a bevy of chassis specialists.

The Full Island Classic Event Schedule - HERE (pdf file)