Steve wins Classic Race at Philip Island on an 175HP 1294ccm Suzuki

Steve MARTIN gives his 41 years young body never a rest. Not even at his "Winterholidays" in the sunny down under. His Ford Mustang renovation had to be stopped for 1 week to take part at a Classicbike Racemeeting last weekend. Steve's passion for old vehilcles is even bigger than to new SBK  Bike Innovations. Almost the same crowd than at the Moto GP Round travelled to Philipp Island to watch the Classic dreams. Steve rode a 1294 cc Suzuki to the Pole , Trackrecord and to 4 Race win. Here is the full racereport :

Phillip Island reverberated to the raucous sound of more than 350 different historic motorcycles from around the world last weekend during the 17th running of the AMCN International Island Classic.

A large contingent of British riders shipped their precious machinery from the United Kingdom in containers that left their shores in November. Riders and mechanics flew in last week to reunite with their beloved steeds at Phillip Island and ready themselves to take on a talented local field supported by an impressive contingent from across the Tasman.

This is one race meeting where the final result is not perhaps as important as the spirit in which the event is ran. Forgotten friendships are rekindled and famous faces from yesteryear remembered. Outside the race weekend the British contingent also do their best to reduce the stockpiles of various Australian breweries during their time Down Under.

One look throughout the field shows that parity of performance is something not really taken into account in Classic Road Racing. While the talent pool is deep, the variety and difference in performance across the various levels of the machinery is unlike anything seen in any other motorsport.

On board a fire breathing GSX1100 Suzuki was current World Endurance Champion Steve Martin. Tuned by drag racing guru Trevor Birrell the 1294cc machine delivered over 175 horsepower to its Pirelli slick while nearly pulling Martin's arms out of their sockets in the process. Martin is well accustomed to having that much horsepower at his disposal, but in a nimble package complete with a fairing rather than a mammoth Forgotten Era musclebike. Martin was a class act throughout the weekend and took an unchallenged four from four wins to leave the Island Classic with another trophy to add to his collection, along with arms a couple of centimetres longer than they had been before he jumped on the fearsome Suzuki.

Englishman Lea Gourlay was clearly the best of the rest. Also Suzuki mounted, Gourlay was at a huge horsepower disadvantage to Martin but put in a sterling effort to keep the Aussie in sight. The 39 year old enjoyed his first visit to Phillip Island immensely and quickly got on good terms with the fast 4.45km circuit.

Three second places handed Gourlay second overall for the meet but in the final stanza the Brit was relegated to fourth place by South Australian young gun David Johnson (Suzuki GSX1100) and Tasmanian Road Race legend Malcolm 'Wally' Campbell.

Johnson steadily progressed throughout the weekend and with second place in the final race, nearly managed to knock Gourlay out of second overall but had to settle for third ahead of one of the great characters of racing and nine-time Australian Champion, Robbie Phillis.

Campbell had a shocking weekend with mechanical gremlins striking his two-stroke RG500 Suzuki on Friday which were not fully resolved until the second half of the race schedule on Sunday. Campbell rode brilliantly in the third race to cross the line in second place behind Martin and ahead of Gourlay only to be relegated to fifth place by officials after being judged as jumping the start. Campbell finished third in the final race but due to the early mechanical gremlins never realised his full potential over the course of the event. Despite the frustrations this classy elder statesman of Australian racing toiled away with his pit crew throughout the weekend to make it back on track. While hiding his frustration, Campbell happily greeted every spectator that said hello. A fine gentleman.

Likewise Phillis was in his usual incredibly high spirits and always made time for any spectator wanting to walk into his pit bay to get an autograph or have a chat. The likeable larrikin of Australian racing, Robbie proved as entertaining as always and is always a hit with the punters.

While the famous personalities are indeed a big drawcard for spectators, the machinery in the paddock and the pits provides a rolling showcase of motorcycling through the ages. From the fire breathing Forgotten Era bikes this writer lusted after as a schoolboy, to the simplicity of BSA and AJS machinery produced in the 1930s which is even before my father was born, to the dream bikes of my father's own teenage years; Manx Norton, Matchless G50 and Vincent - all names stamped in motorcycle folklore and appreciated by motorcycle enthusiasts of all ages.

Despite the success of the weekend however there was still somewhat of a shadow cast over the event following a huge crash on Saturday that left English visitor Steve Maney with multiple fractures. Not the type of extended stay the 52-year-old Norton specialist was hoping for in Australia. New Zealander Rod Price was also caught up in the incident and suffered a broken leg.

Australia won the International Challenge with a 1283 point score to the United Kingdom's 911 and New Zealand's 682.

ORF broadcast the Bol d'Or Highlights on Saturday 7th November 21:45 at ORF Sport+

It was maybe the most disappointing race in 2009. But we left as World Champions Magny Cours and that was the most important.The Race was difficult and after winning 3 races we had very high aims, but every series stops one time. At the Bol d'Or only the technique could stop us. What stayed was the Title, the fastest racelap from YART and the message that YART never give up.