It was Kiwis galore at the Australian Historic Road Race Championships at Phillip Island at the weekend.

A large contingent of New Zealand racers crossed the Tasman to take part in this three-day event and they came home with titles in four bike categories.

Hamilton’s Andrew Stroud, the current New Zealand Superbike Champion, was the most successful, claiming three Australian titles, while fellow Waikato rider Ginger Molloy also won a title.

Hamilton’s Nick Cole impressed with his barnstorming performances all weekend and was unlucky to get pipped for a title in the senior 368-500cc class by fellow Kiwi Stroud. Stroud finished 1-2-1 in this class while Cole placed 3-1-2.

In addition to winning that class, Stroud also won the Formula 700 class and the junior 263-250cc class as well.

Molloy won the lightweight 132-250cc class.

“It was a great weekend,” said Stroud. “Nick Cole rode really well and it came down to the last race to decide who’d win the class.

“It was raining off and on all weekend sand that made things interesting. It felt like I was racing the world champs or something. It was pretty intense.”

Also impressive at the weekend was Nelson’s Karel Pavich, who finished a solid fourth in the junior 263-350cc class, while fellow Kiwi Neville Bull managed fourth overall in the Junior 263-350cc class, Te Awamutu’s Paul Jelaca was placed third overall in the lightweight 132-250cc class and Auckland’s Greg Beatson finished  third overall in the period 4 350 class

The glamour class, the unlimited 526-1300cc class, it was a battle between Australian legends Mal Campbell and Robbie Phillis, with Campbell eventually winning the weekend by just three points from Phillis.

© Words by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com

Photo by Keith Muir