Jeremy McWilliams rolls back the years

How popular is Forgotten Era racing Down Under?

he annual Phillip Island International Challenge, held in January, attracts the third biggest crowd in Australia behind MotoGP and WSB. 

The idea is close racing on 1980s Formula One-type bikes. This is Jeremy McWilliams (99) ignoring a broken steering damper on his Roger Winfield-built Yamaha FJ-Harris F1 to hold off determined Aussie Beau Beaton (86) on the awesome Irving Vincent which you can see more of on p112. 

 “I reckon it’s the hardest I have ever ridden around here,” said McWilliams, who in 2002 put the last 500 two-stroke MotoGP bike on pole here. He tied on individual points with young Aussie hotshot Jed Metcher (Harris Honda).

Team UK also included top TT riders John McGuinness (1, RC30), Ryan Farquhar, Conor Cummins, James Hillier and Glen Richards. The Aussies are hoping to bring a team to the UK for a rematch later this year.

Words Hamish Cooper  Picture Phil Aynsley