Graeme Crosby to head Team NZ at Island Classic
Wise-cracking New Zealander Graeme ‘Croz’ Crosby is the new captain of his country’s team for this weekend’s Tahbilk International Challenge at this weekend’s 2015 Australian Motorcycle News Island Classic at the Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit.
With original co-captains Kevin Grey and Stu Avant now unable to make the trek over the Tasman, the onus will fall on 58-year-old Crosby to motivate the New Zealand squad in his own jocular way. And he also knows a thing or two about the racing caper, as well as the bikes that dominate the International Challenge grid.
Crosby cut his teeth on big four-stroke superbike and F1 machinery in the late ’70s and early ’80s, winning at the Isle of Man TT as well as clinching two world F1 titles. Eventually, he made a full-time switch to two-strokes in the world 500 GP title, finishing second in the 1982 series before famously pulling up stumps in his prime and heading home to New Zealand.
We’ve got him in Oz this weekend as Kiwi captain, now if we can only get him to pull on the leathers again in 2016…
ISLAND CLASSIC HISTORIC BIKE FEST
The 22nd Australian Motorcycle News Island Classic is the largest historic bike meet in the southern hemisphere with a record number of entries – over 525 bikes to hit the Phillip Island grand prix circuit over the three days in a record 56 races. – Friday is devoted to qualifying for the six period classes and the four nation battle for the International Challenge, with Saturday and Sunday featuring back to back racing from 9am to 5pm.
Island Classic is a celebration of history; a nod to two-wheel engineering feats all the way back to the turn of the 20th century. Racing is held across classes ranging from pre-war to period 6 (up to 1990), and marques to be represented include AJS, Ariel, Harley-Davidson, Indian, Norton, Velocette, BSA, Bultaco, Matchless, Triumph, Vincent, Aermacchi, Bultaco, Laverda, Norton, Ducati and the four Japanese brands, as well as fare from specialist engine and chassis manufacturers.
TICKETS AND CAMPING AVAILABLE AT THE GATE FOR AUSTRALIA DAY WEEKEND ISLAND CLASSIC
Friday January 23, Saturday January 24 and Sunday January 25
Gates open Friday, Saturday, Sunday from 8am; with racing on track from 9am-5pm
Campground access 24 hours per day from Thursday at 4pm to Monday at 9am for Island Classic patrons.
Event entry tickets:Â are on sale at the gate from 8am Friday –Â $75 for a three-day ticket or $50 for Sunday only. Children 15 and under are free. Pit roof, fully-catered suite hospitality passes are also available from $135.Â
Camping: Long weekend, last minute accommodation is sorted with the circuit opening their on-track campground for an affordable long weekend option – just $90 for up to four nights; or $75 for Saturday/Sunday sleeping trackside for all event-goers. Bring your tent!
The Campground ticket office is at Phillip Island Circuit – gate 2 – on Back Beach Road, Cowes
It is open Thursday 4pm -7pm ; Friday, Saturday – 7am to 7pm and Sunday – 7am to 11am
If ticket office closed, go to the campground along gate 2 road and report to security to gain access. Manned 24 hours a day and open from 4pm Thursday to 9am Monday morning
