Philip Island

[Irish in Oz]

WSBK this weekend. Should be close.

[Kiwifruit]

Watched some good footage of the Island Classic from there recently.

[Sweaty]

Just watching the first race now 👍

[grog]

15 second margin, that is a big win. Why no suzukis in this class, they ok in other superbike classes

[Sweaty]

SPOILER ALERT
yeah, let's hope the ex moto gp rider is not going to do this every race.
Think he is very comfortable around Phillip island & Rea is not confident around here (which he mentioned) after the race. Think it will be the same tomorrow, but Thailand should be a different story.

[grog]

I think mate, WSBK is dying, no crowds, no tv,

[Irish in Oz]

Philip Island could be the one that is dying, they didn't help the Brit team for the classic this year that's why they didn't show.
It's cheaper to go to the Malaysian GP than the Island, unless you live in Melbourne of coarse.

[Johno]

Philip Island could be the one that is dying, they didn't help the Brit team for the classic this year that's why they didn't show.
It's cheaper to go to the Malaysian GP than the Island, unless you live in Melbourne of coarse.

The bottom line is that it all comes down to money. Someone needs to provide a large amount of money to bring a team of riders and bikes from one side of the world to the other.

The promoters of the Island Classic can't afford to run at a loss. No business can. In the past the British Team had a generous financial backer. I understand that this has changed. The New Zealand team has Carl Cox tipping in big time.

PI made a business decision on how much they are prepared to subsidise overseas teams.

I've been to two Island Classic and three MotoGps at the Island. A two thousand kilometre round trip. Fantastic racing and possibly the best track in the world. Unfortunately it is located as far away from the rest of the world as you can get.

In term of crowds I witnessed the "Stoner" effect. He won six in a row there. The last MotoGp I attended after he retired, the crowd was down about 25k and the weather wasn't perfect. It will be interesting to find out the crowd numbers for WSB this weekend although you would expect if one of the Troys was current World Champion this would have a significant effect.

Mugello in Italy is an amazing track for spectators and there are a lot population within 1000 km.

Anyway I'll be at the Sydney Festival of Speed in March. Jeremy McWilliams, John McGuiness and Steve  Parrish amongst many other overseas riders will be there. So there is still enough money in Oz to give these guys a holiday in the sun.

[Johno]

For those that missed it here is the 2019 Island Classic

u2ba98ycPjU

[Milts]

Enjoyed that video 

[Kiwifruit]

Thanks for putting that up Johno.
Good to see Alex Phillis grabbing 3rd in the last race.
He rode my friends MV to win the 2018 NZ Supersport TT at Hampton Downs Raceway. Nice young fella and quick just like his old man.

[Johno]

Now I'm looking forward to the Sydney Festival of Speed in March. Jeremy McWilliams, John McGuiness and Steve  Parrish amongst many other overseas riders will be there as well as many of the Aussie and Kiwi riders from the Island Classic.

The Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club will have a large display of bikes on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17 of March featuring 50 years of the Honda 750 four.

Plenty of Suzuki's and other jap classics like my GS1000G. So come over and say Giday.
D1SlM8GSyDw

[Irish in Oz]

Johno
It seems he may have that yellow bike at PI a couple of years ago for Eastern Creek.  Say hello for me.

[Irish in Oz]

Look Johno 3 off them have arrived at Eastern Creek.

[Johno]

Jeff,

The Sydney VJMC had a table at the race meeting dinner lat night.