Wayne Gardner, the 1987 World 500GP Champion, has announced his return to motorcycle racing - and it will be at the circuit where he scored his greatest victories, Phillip Island.
Gardner, nicknamed the Wollongong Wiz, won both the 1989 and 1990 Australian GPs at the fast and challenging circuit, and then competed only once more in Australia in 1991 at Sydney's Eastern Creek Raceway. In his final Australian appearance he finished fourth in the 500 GP after qualifying second fastest behind eventual race winner Wayne Rainey. Gardner announced his retirement in 1992 after a broken leg cut short his career, and has not raced a motorcycle 'seriously' since.
"I can't think of a better circuit to return to motorcycle racing on," Gardner said. "It's got so many good memories for me, plus it's so enjoyable to ride around."
"When I retired in 1992 I said I'd never race a motorcycle again, but the itch needs scratching. I guess Barry Sheene said the same thing when he retired, and I look at how much fun he had when he returned to racing. And that's the main reason I'm doing it - for fun."
Gardner will race a 1962 Matchless G50 prepared by Fred Walmsley at the Phillip Island Classic on January 27-29, renewing a relationship with the renowned UK tuner that has seen Gardner ride Walmsley's bikes at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival meetings in the UK the past four years.
"Goodwood is more of an exhibition meeting rather than a full-on race meeting, although I had some good dices with Barry (Sheene) in 2002 and then Jamie Whitham a couple of years later," said Gardner. "I'm really looking forward to slipping into the race leathers again - although they might have to be a bit bigger this time around."
The G50 Gardner will ride at the Island is the bike usually raced by World Classic Champion Glen English, and is being air-freighted to Australia specially for the event. It will be accompanied by Walmsley, with the 500 Classic lap record likely to be under threat - a record that was held by Sheene on a Walmsley-prepared Manx Norton up until last year's Island Classic. That record now sits with New Zealander Dave Cole - 1:51.330 set on a Matchless G50 in 2005.
In addition to Gardner and Cole, the star-studded 500 Classic field for the 2006 Island Classic includes 17-year-old Kiwi Sam Smith (Norton ES2, recently-crowned 2005 Oz 500 Classic champ), Craig Morris (Manx Norton, multiple Australian Historic champ), Queenslander Mike Farrell (Matchless G50), and New South Welshman Mike Soderland (Norton ES2).
With the meeting incorporating the Forgotten Era International Challenge between three 15-rider teams from Great Britain, New Zealand and Australia aboard 1980-era Superbikes, Gardner's inclusion adds further excitement to Australia 's premier Historic race meeting.
Event Information
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE GATE
FRIDAY: ADULT $12.00 CHILDREN 15 & UNDER FREE
SATURDAY : ADULT $22.00
*CONCESSION $17.00
CHILDREN 5-15 $ 6.00
SUNDAY: ADULT $30.00
*CONCESSION $17.00
CHILDREN 5-15 $ 6.00
3 DAY: ADULT 3-DAY TICKET $45.00
*Holders of the Pensioner Concession Card
(Entry includes Access to the Pit/Paddock area via Pedestrian Bridge )
Gates Open to Public: 8:00am each day
Practice Commences: 9:00am each day
Racing Commences:
Saturday: Approx. 1:00PM
Sunday: Approx. 10:00AM
Course Commentary: Tune to 87.6FM
� Free Paddock access on all days
� On-site Parking in Gardner Straight Spectator Area
� Walking access to all other Spectator Areas
� Programs Available
� Take-Away Food and Liquor Sales on site
� In accordance with Fire Restrictions NO BBQs
� NO ANIMALS PERMITTED ON CIRCUIT (other than Guide Dogs)
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT THE PHILLIP ISLAND GRAND PRIX CIRCUIT
Wayne Gardner to return to racing...
-
Stereo
- KSRC Addict
- Posts: 4578
- Joined: Thu Aug 11, 2005 8:01 am
- Bike: ZX10R
- State: Victoria
- Location: Pt Cook, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, Pacific Ocean, Earth
Wayne Gardner to return to racing...
The world is round. It has no point.
Re: Wayne Gardner to return to racing...
Well that counts out half the members of ksrc!Stereo wrote:Event Information
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE GATE....
.... NO ANIMALS PERMITTED ON CIRCUIT (other than Guide Dogs)
