One of the best tracks in the World!

http://www.phillipislandcircuit.com.au/

HHRacing Phillip Island Classic Pages:

PIC 2005    PIC 2006    PIC 2007    PIC 2008    PIC 2009    PIC 2010   PIC 2011   

UK International Challenge Team Web Page from 2008    http://www.forgotten-era.co.uk

 

About the Phillip Island Classic

Each January, in the middle of the Australian summer, Phillip Island circuit hosts the Phillip Island Classic race meeting. It is the biggest race meeting for Classic bikes in the southern hemisphere, and it happens to be at one of the best circuits in the world.

It is an awesome meeting attracting riders from all over the globe, and caters for all the usual race classes, as well as some unusual ones:

 

There are races for the following classes and machine capacities: 

 

The Veteran and Vintage machines are quite amazing, and lap faster than you would imagine possible. Beautifully prepared Indians and Harleys are popular.

The feature event for that 4 years has been the Forgotten Era International Challenge. Teams from Australia, New Zealand and the UK on Unlimited Forgotten Era bikes conforming to their own country's historic rules, battle it out in 4 races across the weekend.

This started in 2005 when the UK team ventured across the globe for the first time. We went again in 2006 but the boat broke down and the container with the bikes in it never made it to the Island. However all was not lost, word went around and following an appeal, enough bikes were loaned to the team to allow us to compete and once again, beat the Kiwis for 2nd place. 

2007 saw the strongest UK team yet, and we put on a good show. Sadly, the aussies still proved too strong, not surprising when they can pick from the best racers in the country.

In 2008, the event went ahead despite no UK team. A 'Rest of the World' team was put together from the people who entered who had origins outside of Australia. Keith was made captain as the sole UK team member available. An American rider had come over from California with a very trick Honda CBX 6 for instance, and he was drafted into the team. Sadly he fell twice, at the same place in practice (some people never learn!) and didn't compete in the end.

Some big names come out to play at the meeting. In 2005/6 Richard Scott rode for the Kiwi team (ex 500gp rider) in the International Challenge. Robbie Phillis, ex WSBK star, has ridden each year for the Aussies. In 2008, Wayne Gardner raced for the Rest of the World and had some wheel to wheel dicing with Malcolm 'Wally' Campbell and Phillis. Gardner was on a Honda Bol D'or, Wally on an RG500 and Phillis on his GSX1100. It was absolutely unreal to see these guys giving 100% on genuine period race bikes, as if time had stood still!

Gardner also raced Fred Walmsley's G50 Matchless 500 in the 500 Classic race, up against Kiwi Dave Cole also on a G50 Matchless.  They too had some good close races and again, the lap times were quicker than many on the F/era big bikes!

 In 2009, a UK team once more ventured over, including John Cronshaw on his 500, Steve Maney on his very special Norton adn Stan Woods on his RG500. Stan also brought his G50! Keith was team captain again, the Aussies had a very strong team including current BSB rider Dave Johnson, Gardner, Campbell and Phillis. Once again, Aussie won, UK second and Kiwis 3rd.

 It is an event not to be missed, or at least experienced at least once in your life!!