Valley tops world’s best

By Antony Dimmock
YARRA Valley riders had some great results in the annual International Island Classic, riding against teams from across Australia and the UK competing for the Tahbilk International Challenge.
The Classic is Australia’s largest historic motorcycle race, held at the end of January, at the famous Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit.
Launching Place plumber Geoff Irwin raced his Suzuki 1000cc powered sidecar with passenger Eric Morrison to a 5th overall in the “Forgotten Era” class.
Father and son, Robert and Lloyd Todd of Yarra Junction, raced their Classic 1954 Triumph 6T sidecar outfit, and despite some minor problems, a spin and a DNF, finished a credible 4th overall with 64 points. This was Lloyd’s first time racing at the Island and he had a great weekend.
Unfortunately Guy Brown from Launching Place was forced to sit out the rest of the weekend after his 1972 Honda CB 750 expired after finishing with 10 points from his first race. Better luck was had by Healesville riders Garry Kellalea and Phil Honeycombe. Garry rode his self-built 1975 1000cc Kawasaki 21B in the unlimited Forgotten Era Class and scored 54 points and 6th overall, while Phil, racing in the same class, finished with 28 points and 12th overall. Phil’s 1986 1000cc Moto Guzzi LeMans was built by local businessman Stein Denson.
Invited to race for the World 13 team, Glen Carrol did Seville proud, despite not finishing two races. Glen, riding his 1977 Kawasaki 2650, earned 32 points and 33rd place, this was racing in an international field of riders including ex-Moto GP star Jeremy McWilliams from the UK.
Australia won the Tahbilk International Challenge team event with the UK team 2nd and the World 13 team 3rd.
The highest individual point scorer was Jeremy McWilliams who was awarded the Inaugural Ken Wooten International Perpetual Trophy.