Weather delays Island Classic International Challenge qualifying
Limited laps for star riders on damp Phillip Island circuit.
Image: Russell Colvin.
Mother Nature took full command at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit today at the 23rd running of the International Island Classic.
While all over classes got their qualifying sessions in, it was decided by race direction that the main show, the Mitchelton Wines International Challenge, qualifying would take place first thing tomorrow morning at 9:00am.
Instead of the traditional two seven-minute qualifying format, which sees the slowest 50 percent and fastest 50 percent, trying their hand for pole position, tomorrow all riders will try and snare pole for the weekend.
John McGuinness, the winner of 23 Isle of Man TTs told CycleOnline.com.au: “To travel 12,000 miles around the world and sit in the garage all day in the rain, I didn’t expect that Australia.
“As the saying goes, you change your knickers, but you can’t change the weather. There is nothing we can do about it.”
Jed Metcher, who finished sixth in last year’s International Island Classic was one of the only main stars to dabble around on the rain-soaked 4.445km seaside circuit, as the 25-year-old Victorian rider has crossed-entered in the Unlimited Forgotten Era.
Metcher claimed pole position aboard the T-Rex Racing Race Center-supported Honda Harris F1 machine for the Unlimited Forgotten Era class after he stopped the clock with a 1m53.624s, 3.891s faster than Cam Donald on the McIntosh Suzuki, while the 2015 Formula Oz champion Paul Byrne was third fastest on the DMR Motorsport Suzuki McIntosh.
“It was good to get a few laps done in the wet today,” said Metcher. “The session was quite busy, so it wasn’t a great indication on how fast we could go in the wet. Fingers crossed it will be dry tomorrow morning for the International Challenge qualifying.”
Metcher has openly admitted that with the lack of track time due to the rain, he is still unsure of the potential that the bike has when riding on the limit. Tomorrow will really test of how fast he can pedal this old timer around the beautiful Phillip Island circuit.
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