Topic: Phillip Island 2018 Journal

[turboguzzi]

nice going man, but sure those toys need gas to run
any sohcs out there?
here's a good wrap up of standings at the half point from roadracingworld:
http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/international-island-classic-mcwilliams-and-johnson-win-pridmore-fourth-in-both-races-on-saturday-edwards-and-corser-battle-over-fifth-in-race-two/

[Rocketman]

Great day of racing today on a hot and sunny day. Over 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Due to a long delay to clean up an oil spill all races were shortened to 4 laps, except the International Challenge. Had thought about where I was loosing time and braking too early for turn one was one of them. Got a good start and waited an extra 50 feet to brake for turn one. Had no problem making the turn and passed several riders on the way in. Picked up a couple more places between turn two and four and ended the lap in twelfth. Gained two places on the next lap then lost one on lap three to finish eleventh overall and seventh in class.  Lowered my lap best lap time to a 1:55.9. Finished eighth in class for the four race event. The competition was mostly Yamaha TZ 350s and Ducati TT2s. The Unlimited Forgotten class was won by a Irving Vincent and a big bore Honda CR replica would have been second if not for a DNF in race two. Only saw one CB550 racer, but not sure of the class.

The Aussie's won the International Challenge over Team UK with America third and NZ fourth. David Johnson and Jeremy McWilliams split the wins today.

It was a lot of effort, time, and money to get here. Now that I've done the Island Classic once, would like to come back again.  Best vintage event I've ever attended.

[bear]

Well done Martin,

I hope the rest of your holiday is just as enjoyable.
In my opinion your on the right path with your thoughts on the track.

I've had the privilege of trying to find a way around PI for a number of years and it always throws up a challenge.

Cheers,
Brian



 
 

[bwaller]

Really good news Martin,

It is a long haul for a short time, but now you can add the "single greatest vintage event" to your list of accomplishments. Not many can say that!

[jgger]

Very good! Now all that left is all the pictures when you get home (for all of us living vicariously through you! haha). Sounds like it was the thrill of a lifetime,

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Congratulations  What a great lifetime experience.

[dragracer]

Thanks for sharing your racing experience with us. Sounds like you had a lot of fun and learned quite a bit along the way.

[Rocketman]

Back home and almost over the jet lag.  Here are some photos of the event. 



Unloading the shipping crate.  Happy to see my bike arrived in good condition.



Setting up in the American Garage.



Pit garages.  Looking down to the Team UK garages.



Tech inspection time.



View from the top of the garages.  Looking at pit out toward turn one.



Getting ready for first practice.



Bringing the engine up to temperature.



Assembling for the team photo.



Team USA!



Jason Pridmore and Colin Edwards. 



Jake Zemke going out for practice.



Colin Edwards ride.



Colin Edwards and Troy Corser.



Team USA Captain Dave Crussell and Jake Zemke.



Jason Pridmore



Giacomo Agostini signing autographs.



Three cylinder 500cc MV Agusta.



Agostini leading the MV demonstration laps.



Agostini interview at the Gala Dinner.



Front straight



Full paddock!



Ace tuner Craig Morris prepping the new cylinder to replace the one I seized.



Installing the new cylinder and ring with used piston.



Forgotten 500 and Unlimited Post Classic grid.



Start of race 2, Forgotten 500 and Unlimited Post Classic.



Wheeling the RGB500 around Phillip Island Circuit.



Getting racy!



Team USA third place.



Team UK garage.  All the bikes had matching paint!



1970 Honda CR970 Ridden by Dean OUGHTRED (VIC) and sponsored by Carl Cox Motorsport / Dynoverks.  Raced in the Unlimited Post Classic class.







CB750 SOHC racer.



1300cc Irving Vincent powered sidecar.  Driver Beau Beaton



1300cc Irving Vincent ridden by Beau BEATON (NSW).  Fastest Unlimited Post Classic bike there! 



Three cylinder Yamaha in a TZ500 frame.  Extra cylinder grafted on the left side.  Ridden by Clive Warner in the Forgotten 500 class.

[bwaller]

Great series of shots Martin. Have you "come down" yet? I'll bet the jet lag would mess you up for a spell!

How many Team US bikes were built around CMR frames? Dennis was there and was likely about your garage.

It seemed Pridmore rode well, I'm curious how Jake and Mr. Edwards enjoyed themselves?

[simon#42]

well done mate , great photos as well

[Rocketman]

It has taken 3 days/nights, but the body clock finally seems to have reset to local time!  The bike Zemke was on was a CMR frame (owned by Dave Crussell) for sure and I think Pridmore's (owned by Ralph Hudson) was as well.  Saw Dennis cruising the pits a couple of times.  Edwards was on a bike built by Carrie Andrews, not sure about the frame.  Pridmore was the man of the hour for Team USA.  He may have had our fastest bike also.  Edwards and Zemke just a step behind, but pretty equal.  Zemke deserves credit as he was basically on his own.  Edwards and Pridmore both had posse's with them.  Unlike some of the teams with crates of extra engines, when Pridmore and Zemke's engines let go in race 3 they were done.   

Would love to have another crack at it.  Just a few more seconds off the lap times and I could be in the hunt in my class and also contribute some points in the International Challenge Race.  Have no illusions about where I'd finish in the IC race.  Those guys are way too fast for this old guy.    Would be pleased to say I was in the same race.