Day 2 at the 21st Annual AMCN Island Classic was official practice day. Most of the competitors were there and the activity was intense, especially amongst the teams competing for the International Challenge. There were the usual hard luck stories and the usual cases of people snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, but it was, altogether, another fabulous day.
Everyone complains about the weather at the Island and how wicked it can be. I am probably going to jinx myself here but I have to say that it has been perfect every time I have been here and today was no exception. It was cool and a bit breezy first up but that quickly cleared to another high-20’s day with not a cloud in the sky. So, slap on the sunscreen and get into it.
After the initial fears that the American team would have to work outside due to the pressure of trying to fit 36 bikes plus 4 sidecars in their allocated garages, this morning showed the pit as a picture of order and methodical activity. I don’t know how they did it, but they did it.
Most importantly, this morning I got so see my good buddies from the USA, Ottis Lance, Deano Swims and Deano’s lovely new Australian wife, Margaret. Wow, he sure knows how to pick them. It was so good to see the guys and a big thank you to Deano for the Griffith Cycles T shirt and Otter for the Jurgemeister one!
Practice started right on 9 and the intensity stepped up several notches. Robbie Phillis was looking awesome on his new Harris Suzuki and the Team GB top guns of Farquhar, McGuinness and McWilliams quickly getting on the gas on their Harris bikes.
Some people ran into trouble almost immediately. American Dave Crussell seized a piston on one of his TZ750’s and it took most of the day for both Scott Clough and Kurt Lentz to get it back together. He wasn’t so lucky with another TZ which is hors de combat with terminal ignition issues. Such are the hazards of fly-away races. Robbie Phillis had to replace the clutch on his Katana, robbing parts from his original GSX1100 to do so.
But, all in all, it was a pretty good day for the riders. A steady stream of bikes were being returned to the pits by pick-up but all the ones that I saw were the result of mechanical issues rather than accidents which is always a good thing.
I was totally unprepared, however, for what was constantly happening to ME in the pits. Throughout the whole course of the day I was stopped over and over again by people who wanted to say hello, ask me how I was and have a chat. And lots of them are very famous people!! It was quite unnerving.
Here is the link to my Thursday album (160 photographs)
There is a saying that, what happens on the Island, stays on the Island, but I am bucking the trend. So, stay tuned for more news, gossip and fun as tomorrow sees official practice and the beginning of racing. It’s such a fun event, I can’t imagine why anybody who loves bike racing doesn’t get down here.
jeffb says
Once again, Phil, loving your work. Your stories and pics are great and I get the feeling of what it must be like to be there. Thanks and look forward to more. Jeff
Phil Hall says
Thanks, mate. Now have all 4 albums from the meeting on my facebook page, if you don’t have the links let me know and I’ll supply. Now that I have recovered from driving 1000kms back home, I will update the blog today with a full report.