Image: Russell Colvin.

Australian rider Cameron Donald has set the early pace today at Phillip Island for the 2014 International Island Classic.

Donald steered his Manta Engineering Suzuki XR69 to a 1m38.368 in the 15-minute opening qualifying session, just 0.403s faster than countryman Beau Beaton on the K.H. Equipment/Austart Air Starters Irving Vincent.

“Today went pretty good. We have been chipping away with the same motorcycle for the last few years now, and every year we seem to improve it”, said the likeable Victorian.

“It’s great to go P1, but it’s still early days as there is a lot more racing to go yet. But I’m thrilled to go P1 in the International Challenge, and happy to also go P1 in Unlimited Classic as that was my first real ride on John Trease’s Harley, so that was really exciting to do that as well. Overall it’s been a great day!”

The first UK rider home was ex-250/500cc star Jeremy McWilliams (Team Winfield), riding the 1982 Harris F1 and was 0.816s down on Donald.

Last year’s winner of the Ken Wootton Perpetual Trophy Shawn Giles was fourth on the T.B.R Suzuki Katana, while McWilliams’s teammate Mike Edwards was fifth.

Isle of Man TT star John McGuinness was a bit further down the field than he would have liked. The 41-year old finished ninth overall, but told CycleOnline.com.au that there would be a few changes to the bike overnight that will potentially see him move up the list in tomorrow’s final qualifying.

One of the major upsets for the day was for American rider Ottis Lance. Lance, the 1983 and 84 CMRA National Champion, broke a piston in his Suzuki Katana, which means game over for the laid back Texan.

“Yeah, what a bummer man,” he commented. “I was looking forward to having a good race this weekend, but it was not to be. That’s racing I guess.”

Qualifying two will take place Saturday morning, followed by two races scheduled for tomorrow’s proceedings.