Source: Phillip Island Circuit.

Records are made to be broken and this Australia Day’s big historic bike meet on 23-25 January, the International Island Classic at Phillip Island, will set some serious records with an astonishing 526 bikes entered.

The biggest roll up in the event’s 22 year history proves the popularity of the event amongst all lovers of bikes and racing on, and off, the grid.

A haul of retired greats are champing at the bit to compete at Australia’s world famous motorcycle mecca and prove they’ve still got the talent and verve of their competitive past, especially when pitted against today’s young guns.

For bike fans, Phillip Island is the place to be for a weekend steeped in motorcycle magic – history, racing and a raft of tales told that get better year after year.

Special guest for the Classic is Australia’s GP crew chief extraordinaire, Jeremy Burgess, who’s spent 20 years steering the careers of Valentino Rossi, Mick Doohan and Wayne Gardner.

Now retired, he’s making his first visit to the Classic as special guest at Friday evening’s Welcome Dinner.

Just as it has been since 2005, the headline act at the 2015 Island Classic will be the Tahbilk International Challenge, pitting Australia against the UK, America and New Zealand in the coveted teams’ challenge.

Held over four races, with the top five point scorers from each team going towards the final tally, International Challenge rules allow for machines manufactured between 1973 -1984 to compete, and for capacities ranging from 350-1300cc.

Australia has an unblemished record in the Tahbilk International Challenge, but worked up a real sweat to defeat the Jeremy McWilliams-led UK team in 2014.

It was a massive fright and in 2015 a number of new faces have been drafted into the Australian squad to provide even more bite, including Jed Metcher, Ryan Taylor, Paul Young and veteran John Pace.

That trio will link up with International Challenge hard men such as Cameron Donald, Rob Phillis, Shawn Giles, Steve Martin and Brendan Roberts – all now retired from full-time racing except for Donald, but still enjoying the thrill of the hunt.

Australia’s biggest hard chargers in the International Challenge are again expected to be former national Superbike champions Martin and Giles, as well Donald and Roberts.

The quartet was all fast in 2014, with Giles eventually scoring the individual honours alongside Briton Jeremy McWilliams – both awarded the Ken Wootton Perpetual Trophy.

The UK team will again fight hard for the prize in 2015 with the ageless McWilliams at its disposal, as well as Ryan Farquhar, Conor Cummins, expatriate Glen Richards and the always quotable Isle of Man hero John McGuinness.

The American squad is headed by Rob Mesa, James McKay and David Crussell, while the Kiwis will keep the others honest with Damien Kavney leading the charge alongside Glenn Hindle, Roger Gunn and Terry Morris.

There are two non-riding team captains, Australia’s Rex Wolfenden and New Zealand’s Stu Avant, the latter a former international who once led a British 500GP race. Avant is a co-captain with Kevin Grey and America’s chief is Crussell.

Kids (15 and under) are free and you can book in advance to get the best bargain – $70 for an adult three day pass, plus $70 to camp on-track for four nights, just metres from Gardner Straight.

For tickets and camping, go to www.islandclassic.com.au or call the circuit on 03 5952 2710 on weekdays.