Page 120 - Australian Motorcycle News (January 2020)
P. 120
race
report
International Island Classic Phillip Island
1
2 3
Fireworks were expected but what
happened was totally unexpected
stakes even higher. row. Heading the third row winning the final race last restart, leaving half the field
His 1m37.248s lap put was Hayes, fellow American year, Hayes had warned his trapped in pitlane.
him on pole, with Phillis Michael Gilbert and Shawn rivals at Friday night’s welcome US captain Dave Crussell
eventually clocking 1m37.354s Giles (Katana), with Beau event that he might become a pleaded with sign language to
to grab second. Beaton (Irving Vincent), “torpedo” on race day. race control and eventually
The real surprise was last American Taylor Knapp Fireworks were expected but they were released. However,
year’s points winner Martin. (Yamaha-powered XR69 what happened a few hundred we now had half the field
The only other rider in the 37s, replica) and Craig Ditchburn metres into the race was waiting on the startline with
he put his unfaired Katana (Yamaha TZ750) making up totally unexpected. engine temperatures rising
into third (1m37.870s). the fourth row. Ditchburn’s TZ suddenly while the rest made their way
“I’m the only genuine period Ditchburn had created a stir snapped sideways in Turn around the track.
Superbike on the front row,” he with a lap time of 1m39.688s Two and the resulting crash The race quickly became
said later, referring to how the on his Yamaha TZ750. brought down Wilson, Neeves, a tussle between Phillis,
XR69-based racers are really The best Team UK qualifiers American Jorge Guerrero Metcher and Martin. Hayes
old Formula One machines. were Suzuki Harris F1 replica and Aussie John Allen, with quickly worked his way
So the grid looked like riders Brendan Wilson in his teammate Scott Webster through from seventh to fifth
this: Metcher, Phillis and 16th, just ahead of teammate taking to the grass to avoid and as they came onto to the
Martin on the front row, Michael Neeves. the pile-up and a burning main straight for the first
with Katana-based riders motorcycle. time, he slipstreamed himself
David Johnson, Aaron Morris Race One “It was like a bomb going into second place.
ahead of American Larry Tensions were sky high as the off,” Webster said later. A fascinating freight train
Pegram (Yamaha-powered grid formed. Disappointed Tensions boiled over when developed with the top six
XR69 replica) on the second with his qualifying effort after track entry was closed for the riders circulating only around
118 amcn.com.au
