VOL. 55 ISSUE 4 JANUARY 30, 2018 P35
TEAM AUSTRALIA RECLAIMS
INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE
I
n sweltering conditions,
Australia reclaimed the Inter-
national Challenge trophy from
the United Kingdom at the 25th
running of the Island Classic.
Led by the highest individual
points scorer, David Johnson
(Suzuki), Australia completed
the four-nation event at 685
points, comfortably ahead of the
UK with 654 points. The USA
was third with 465 points, fol-
lowed by New Zealand (319).
However, there were still
some nervous moments for
the host nation. Australia's lead
in the International Challenge
only ballooned in the fourth and
final six-lap race. Five Auss-
ies finished inside the top 10,
while a crash by UK fast man
Glen Richards (Yamaha) and
the absence of Team USA's top
performer Jason Pridmore—who
blew an engine in race three—
also helped their cause.
Australia's win in the Inter-
national Challenge was its first
since 2014.
"I'm really happy to win over-
all, but more importantly to help
Australia retain the International
Challenge," said Johnson. "My
tire wasn't enjoying the heat in
that last race, so when (Jer-
emy) McWilliams passed me he
gapped me straight away. But
that doesn't matter: To be a part
of a winning team is what it's all
about."
Johnson's second place in
the final race was enough for
him to defeat Team UK's Jeremy
McWilliams (Yamaha) by one
point (158 to 157) in the presti-
gious Ken Wootton Perpetual
Trophy.
Team USA was the biggest
improver in 2018, but its cam-
paign ended in disappointment
with Pridmore (Yamaha) and
Jake Zemke (Yamaha) unable to
participate in the final race be-
cause of mechanical problems.
Colin Edwards, also making
his first International Challenge
debut for Team USA, had a big
rap for the event.
"I had a blast and it's been
so much fun, even though I had
big problems in the opening two
races," said Edwards.
"But you live and learn, and
there's no doubt we were under
prepared compared to Australia
and the UK."
Edwards was the highest indi-
vidual points scorer for America
in the International Challenge in
eighth overall, while Damien Ka-
vney (Suzuki) was the top New
Zealander in 15th position. CN
Results
1. Australia 685
2. United Kingdom 654
3. USA 465
4. New Zealand 319
Highest individual points
scorer David Johnson
leads Troy Corser, Jeremy
McWilliams and Paul Byrne.
PHOTOGRAPHY
BY
RUSSELL
COLVIN
