Australia Wins Phillip Island International Challenge!
Australia has successfully defended the International Challenge winning the battle for historic bikes at Phillip Island’s Grand Prix circuit, with the locals’ 704 point haul securing victory over rivals America (691 points) and the UK third with 423 points. Report: IRPR Pics: Russell Colvin
Albury’s Alex Phillis was a star performer at the Phillip Island Classic – claiming two wins, a second and a third across the four six lap races – to lead the Australian effort and be awarded the best individual performer on the grid aboard his Suzuki 1260. He won the Ken Wootton trophy with his 157 point haul (2-1-1-3), an early birthday present for the racer who turns 26 today.
Just behind was Melbourne polesitter Jed Metcher who produced four podium places (3-2-2-2) on his Yamaha FJ to amass 155 points, racing at the front of the pack throughout the meeting to make a major contribution to the Australian victory.
But it was far from an easy Australia Day victory, with the Americans taking it to the Aussies in every race. Their major nemesis was Californian ace Josh Hayes – a multi AMA champ – who at 43, still possesses the speed and competitive grit that has seen him amass 83 career wins across many classes over a brilliant motorcycling career.
It was only his second visit to Phillip Island, but he came out fighting early to win the first race and capped off the weekend with victory in the fourth battle. In race two and three, he campaigned at the front and returned a fifth and a third to be the top performing American and finish with an individual tally of 154 points.
“It’s a huge privilege to win it. I remember Ken at the track from when I was running around as a four-year-old, he would always be there. It’s crazy to come away with something like this!,” said Phillis.
“I’ve been to this event every single year since 2006 since dad was riding, I’ve only ridden three times and every year we’ve had a chance at the overall, and last year we came close with third, but honestly I wanted it really bad and it showed in my riding. It’s awesome to come here and win such a prize.”
While the Australians took the win at their home circuit, congratulations also went to the Dave Crussell captained Americans. Some had never experienced the demanding Australian track and were learning its high speed demands and fast-flowing corners as the weekend went on.
Backing Hayes aboard the Mojo Yamahas were the impressive efforts of Californian road tester Michael Gilbert (7-6-7-4), Ohio racer Larry Pegram (4-3-6-14), Canadian champion Jordan Szoke (11-8-10-5) and Alabama’s Taylor Knapp (8-9-9-8). They consistently raced in the top 10 and filled positions fifth to eight in the Ken Wootton tally.
On either side sat Australians – 2019 winner Steve Martin on his Katana, who took fourth overall (5-4-4-7), and rounding out the top 10 was Vincent Irving rider Beau Beaton and veteran Shawn Giles on the Suzuki Katana. Australian David Johnson, the 2018 winner, had a weekend he would prefer to forget and only completed the first race with a sixth, before mechanical problems produced DNF’s in race two and three and no start in race four.
The best performer for the Tony Hart captained UK squad was Brendan Wilson (Suzuki Harris) who finished the weekend in 12th overall, with Damien Kavney 15th and Roger Gunn in 16th both on Suzukis.
For all times go to www.computime.com.au
International Challenge – National points
- Australia 704 points
- America 691 points
- United Kingdom 423 points
Individual – Ken Wootton Memorial Trophy for highest Individual Point Scorer
- Alex Phillis – 1980 Suzuki 1260 XR69 Australia 157 points
- Jed Metcher – 1984 Yamaha FJ1200 Australia 155 points
- Joshua Hayes – 1983 Mojo Yamaha CMRF5 America 154 points
- Steve Martin – 1982 Suzuki Katana Australia 144 points
- Michael Gilbert – 1983 Yamaha CMRFJ America 140 points
- Larry Pegram – 1983 Yamaha CMRFJ1250 America 137 points
- Jordan Szoke – 1983 Mojo Yamaha CMR FJ America 130 points
- Taylor Knapp – 1983 Mojo Yamaha CMR FJ America 130 points
- Beau Beaton – 1982 Irving Vincent P5 Australia 127 points
- Shawn Giles – 1982 Suzuki Katana Australia 121 points
Top scorer for the UK
- Brendan Wilson Suzuki Harris F1 UK 112 points
Race Four Results Racetime Behind leader
1 4 Joshua HAYES (America) 1983 Yamaha CMR FJ 1250 9:47.879
2 22 Jed METCHER (AUS) 1984 Yamaha FJ1200 9:49.293 1.414
3 20 Alexander PHILLIS (AUS) 1980 Suzuki XR691100 9:51.171 3.292
4 55 Michael GILBERT (America) 1983 Yamaha CMR FJ 1250 9:54.417 6.538
5 101 Jordan SZOKE (America) 1983 Yamaha CMR FJ 1250 9:54.898 7.019
6 64 Aaron MORRIS (AUS) 1980 Suzuki Katana 1300 9:55.004 7.125
Race Three Results Racetime Behind leader
1 20 Alexander PHILLIS (AUS) 1980 Suzuki XR691100 9:52.346
2 22 Jed METCHER (AUS) 1984 Yamaha FJ1200 9:52.423 .077
3 4 Joshua HAYES (America) 1983 Yamaha CMR FJ 1250 9:53.050 .704
4 99 Steven MARTIN (AUS)1982 Suzuki Katana1294 9:56.085 3.739
5 64 Aaron MORRIS (AUS) 1980 Suzuki Katana 1300 9:56.522 4.176
6 72 Larry PEGRAM (America) 1983 Yamaha CMRFJ 1250 9:57.252 4.906
Race Two Results Racetime Behind leader
1 20 Alexander PHILLIS (AUS) 1980 Suzuki XR691100 9:50.712
2 22 Jed METCHER (AUS) 1984 Yamaha FJ1200 9:51.099 .387
3 72 Larry PEGRAM (America) 1983 Yamaha CMRFJ 1250 9:55.651 4.939
4 99 Steven MARTIN (AUS)1982 Suzuki Katana1294 9:55.832 5.120
5 4 Joshua HAYES (America) 1983 Yamaha CMR FJ 1250 9:58.012 7.300
6 55 Michael GILBERT (America) 1983 Yamaha CMR FJ 1250 9:59.204 8.492
Race One Results Race time Behind leader
1 4 Joshua HAYES (America) 1983 Yamaha CMR FJ 1250 9:52.749
2 20 Alex PHILLIS (AUS) 1980 Suzuki XR69 1100 9:52.914 .165
3 22 Jed METCHER (AUS) 1984 Yamaha FJ 1200 9:52.964 .215
4 72 Larry PEGRAM (America) 1983 Yamaha CMR FJ 1250 9:56.488 3.739
5 99 Steven MARTIN (AUS) 1982 Sukuki Katana 1294 9:57.154 4.405
6 3 David JOHNSON (AUS) 1982 Suzuki Katana 1100 10:01.207 8.458
