Phillip Island Classic

The premier contest of a packed program for the 27th annual Island Classic, the International Challenge, saw the home side snatch a narrow win against a determined USA squad, 704 points to 691, with the UK team amassing 423. While Albury’s Alex Phillis and Melburnian Jed Metcher, both in their 20’s, starred for Australia, multi-US Champion, 43-year-old Josh Hayes rode brilliantly, having to overcome a poor grid position after engine troubles in qualifying. Hayes took the opening race as well as the last of the four encounters, while Phillis, son of Superbike legend Robbie, won the other two.

TT star David Johnson was expected to star, but had a miserable weekend with gremlins in his Suzuki which ultimately sidelined him from the final race. The UK team was comprehensively outgunned but never gave up, Tony Hart top-scoring to take 12th place in the individual standings.

The Challenge got off to a bad start with a massive crash on the opening lap involving five riders, including Craig Ditchburn whose TZ750 Yamaha caught fire. From the restart, Hayes prevailed by just 0.165 seconds over Phillis, with Metcher only 0/215 away in third. In race two, Phillis took charge and battled with Hayes until the American hit a false neutral and ran off the track, recovering for fifth at

the flag. Sunday’s third round again saw Phillis snatch victory, but the scant margin of 0.077 over Metcher, with Hayes less than a second behind in third.

For the fourth and final race, Phillis struggled with gearbox issues, leaving Metcher and Hayes to battle it out, with the American taking the flag with the widest margin of the weekend, 1.414 seconds.

Of course, there was the matter of 40-odd other races over the weekend, and as always on this brilliant circuit, there were some incredible performances, none more than Keo Watson, who fronted for three classes and won 13 of his 15 starts. As well as taking the outright win in the 250 New Era production, 350 Forgotten Era and

500 Forgotten Era, Keo took home the prestigious Phil Irving Trophy. No fewer than 13 classes were won with maximum five-from-five scores, and overseas visitors Alex Sinclair and Hasse Gustafson took home the 500 Post Classic and Unlimited Post Classic respectively. Although there were numerous spills, no serious injuries were reported and the meeting was largely conducted in near-perfect weather.

For the full race results visit ... www.computime.com.au

On the Godet Vincent Grey Flash, Welshman Alex Sinclair carded a perfect score in the 500 Post Classic. Craig Ditchburn bounced back from a firey crash on his Yamaha TZ750 to take out the Unlimited Forgotten Era. Josh Hayes took two of the four race wins for Team USA in the International Challenge.

Phil Irving Trophy winner Keo Watson was outstanding, taking 13 wins from 15 starts across three classes. ABOVE Top scorer for Australia and winner of the Ken Wootton Trophy, Alex Phillis. RIGHT Team Australia, victorious once again. But it was close. Photos: Russell Colvin

Philip Price from New Zealand had the Vintage Class all to himself on his KTT Velocette. Ben Burke (Honda CBR400), maximum score 500 New Era winner. 250 New Era winner David Hall on Ron Angel’s Rotax. 125 New Era winner Tait Coghill on his Honda RS125.

Hasse Gustafson from Sweden cleaned up the Unlimited Post Classic on his Ducati. 500 Classic winner Kane Burns gets under the paint on Geoff Clatworthy’s Norton ES4. On Ross Graham’s McIntyre Matchless, Kiwi Jason Easton was a threat for 500 Classic Honours until he struck mechanical woes. ABOVE Australia’s top dogs Jed Metcher (22) and Alex Phillis swapping paint in the International Challenge. Scott Campbell (Honda RC30) was untouchable in the New Era 750.