Wayne Gardner made history as the first Austr♔alian to win the 500cc World Championship in 1987, fuelling demand for a home race.

Gardner used his profile to help push the event forward and it b🥂ecame a reality in 1989, with a 'delipidated' Phillip Island circuit transformed in time to host round two of the world championship.

Lining up third on the grid, and exhausted fro𝄹m months of pre-event publicity, Gardner was far from certain he could challenge for victory.

Those doubts increased when he narrowly&nb𒁃sp;avoided a highsiding Kevin Sch𒁏wantz on the opening lap, losing ground with the leaders.

But G💞ardner reeled them back in and a thrilling battle developed with the likes of Chrisꦅtian Sarron and Wayne Rainey. Cheered on by the fans, the Aussie gave his all, saved a scare at the start of the final lap and held on to win by just 0.350s.

Watch the video below to see Gardner explain to Motovudu's Simon Crafar why Phillip Island 1989 was the best of his 18 grands prix victories, surpassing even the brave 1990 home win, which was also the last time he ꦇstood on the top step of a 500cc rostrum:

"It was eꦓmotionally an amazing event," Gardner says of the '89 race. "I grabbed the Australian flag and rode around, proud to win the first race in Australia.

"The track was swamped with people slapping me on the back. Everyone was super elated. I remember looking down from the podium🎃, I'll never forget that moment."

Wayne's son Remy is now a r💝ising star in the Moto2 World Cha🍃mpionship, taking his first grand prix podium in 2019.