Since ever the corona virus stupidity started it was always a given that the 2021 International Island Classic was not going to be run. The ban on international flights, stringent quarantine measures and a plethora of differing requirements in various countries would always mean that an already massive logistical task would become completely impossible.
So it was no surprise when PI Operations announced yesterday that the 2021 Island Classic would not be run on the Australia Day weekend in 2021. Well, it was no surprise to me but some found it odd. Why, I have no idea. I mean, if it WAS going to be run on that weekend, the shipping containers with the overseas’ teams bikes and equipment should have already been on the water heading for Melbourne.
I’m disappointed, of course, 2021 would have been my TENTH IC meeting. On the upside, it would have been a very difficult meeting with no Ralph Hudson and the reminders of last meetings.
PI Ops have announced, however, that there WILL be an Island Classic LATER in 2021 but that it will be a domestic meeting only. Now to me that is a big plus. The original concept of the IC was that it WAS a domestic meeting, the inclusion of the international teams came a long a lot later. So a return to the roots of the event and the ability for many more locals to participate than have been able to in past years is a big attraction. It will hopefully also see a return to full fields of sidecars, a division that has been ignored for some years.
So, unless various totalitarian state premiers decide to play politics with the event, we might still have a meeting and I’m looking forward to it.