After covering the first Oran Park WorldSBK event in an earlier column (1988 Link), this time around we take a look at the second WSBK event to be held in Australia – the 1989 round, again at Oran Park.
The first race was run under wet, then drying conditions and was won by Peter Goddard from Rob Phillis and Fabrizio Pirovano.
F to R: Raymond Roche (Ducati 888), Aaron Slight (Kawasaki ZXR750), Rob Phillis (Kawasaki ZXR750).
The weather had cleared for the second race which saw Michael Dowson take the win followed by Raymond Roche and Rob Phillis. A spectacular coming together by Malcolm Campbell and Fabrizio Pirovano on lap 15 saw both fail to finish.
Race 2 podium. Winner – Michael Dowson.
Fred Merkel on the Honda RC30 went on to take his second consecutive championship.
Phil Aynsley sadly passed away in 2023 after a life spent travelling the world photographing many of the rarest and most beautiful motorcycles ever made. We are proud to continue showcasing his catalogue of work on MCNews.com.au.
