If you love bikes, there’s nothing closer to pure heaven than immersing yourself in a world of motorcycles, mechanics and memorabilia at the iconic historic event, the International Island Classic at Australia’s Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit.

Now in its 26th year, the Island Classic presented by Visit Phillip Island, will once again roll into the circuit for the Australia Day long weekend from Friday to Sunday January 25-27, with 56 races on the agenda and tickets available now from http://www.islandclassic.com.au.

A celebration of a century of motorbikes, the event is a true bike fest with more than 450 bikes racing and on display, including old Indians, Nortons and Vincents through to vintage Triumphs, Harleys and Ducatis. There’s six historic categories from pre-WW1 bikes through Vintage (1920-1945), Classic and Post Classic (from 1946 to 1972) and the more recent Forgotten Era and New Era classes fighting for class honours and the Phil Irving Perpetual Trophy

There’s no doubt Australia’s defence will require plenty of purpose, pace and guile, as Team USA and the Kiwis head into 2019 event in better shape than ever.

TEAM USA

Team USA – which alongside Australia was a pioneer of big-bore superbike racing in the late 1970s and early 1980s – has pulled in some extra big guns to assist Jason Pridmore in 2019 who returns after top five finishes in 2018.
Team captain, David Crussell, went home last January serious about his 2019 effort and returns with an awesome line-up including four-time AMA superbike champion Josh Hayes as well as Mark Miller, Steve Rapp, Larry Pegram and Dale Quarterley.

Aussie expatriate journalist Rennie Scaysbrook is also a part of the American team, which predominantly has a mix of oversized Yamaha FJ1100 four-strokes and TZ750 two-strokes at its disposal.

Josh Hayes, 43, dominated the AMA superbike title in the early part of this decade for the Yamaha factory squad, claiming the number one spot from 2010-2012 before winning again in 2014.

He also finished seventh in the season-ending MotoGP race at Valencia in 2011 as a replacement for injured compatriot Colin Edwards, while Rapp has also tasted action in the biggest league of all when he rode in the 2012 Indy round of the MotoGP title.


KIWI POWER

The Kiwis under Duncan Coutts have capitalised on their long-term relationship with gun racer, Alex Phillis, and the Taupo-based Carl Cox Motorsport – the motorsport arm of international DJ Carl Cox – to strengthen their ranks.

Carl Cox’s Kiwi team brings to the grid three-time British superbike champion John Reynolds, ‘modern’ and classic racer Jay Lawrence, and Michael Neeves, the senior road tester at iconic UK publication MCN.

The Kiwis have also sought dispensation for two 1985 Suzuki GSX-Rs for the Carl Cox camp to run, with approvals being given this week by team captains from arch rivals Australia and the USA subject to various performance restrictions.

AUSSIE STRENGTH

Australian captain, Rex Wolfenden, has assembled a formidable squad for the defence with outstanding depth.

Adelaide’s David Johnson, who led the Aussies back into the winner’s circle in 2018 after a three-year drought heads the line-up, backed by 2016 Challenge star Jed Metcher and Isle of Man winner Cameron Donald.

World endurance champion, Melbourne’s Steve Martin also returns, as does three-time Australian superbike champion and Island Classic champion Shawn Giles and Coffs Harbour’s Beau Beaton who last year won the Phil Irving Trophy.

Further value for Destination Phillip Island lies in a new initiative for 2019 – a two hour television programme. Production will focus on the headline act, the International Challenge and the telecast will ensures viewers are introduced to the myriad of Phillip Island experiences that lie outside the circuit.

International interest in the television programme has been strong with MAVTV picking up screening rights for the USA and Canada; Fox Asia broadcasting to 14 million subscribers across the region; commitments from networks across UK and Europe, and Foxsports picking up the feed in New Zealand. The largest digital channel for motorsport content in the world today, MotorsTV/MotorTrend will also showcase the 2019 International Island Classic production.

In Australia the Island Classic broadcast will be screened later in February on SBS’s Speed Week and on Foxsports and following streamed on five on-line platforms.