Every year thousands of motorcycle race fans make the pilgrimage to Phillip Island, a Victorian tourist destination more commonly known for its parading penguins.
But for one weekend a year the Island is home to the global MotoGP circus, a riot of noise and colour and where the world’s best road racers battle on the track.
This year saw 35,000 fans through the gate each day and they were treated to plenty of feisty racing. Frightening speeds are achieved at the end of the straight as riders brake into turn one and try not to end up in Bass Strait as they tackle the iconic circuit.
All sorts
But the weekend is not just about the racing. The event attracts all sorts of people, many taking the week off to ride down from interstate. The campsite is full of riders who use MotoGP as an excuse to take off on a long two-wheeled trip.
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Around the track there’s plenty to see and do including Yamaha’s Airtime FMX display – where dirt bike riders send it at Lukey Heights.
Honda brought an inflatable track for kids to try ride mini bikes and the Expo Tent showcased a wide range of accessories and motorcycles from manufacturers such as Yamaha, Honda and CF Moto. Harley-Davidson had their own tent right next to the main straight.
Yamaha brought a wide range of models including SSVs, ATVs and dirt bikes as well as the more obvious road and sprots models. Highlights included a 1998 YZF-R1 in a replica toy box, a race spec YZF-R9 and a Peter Jackson painted XSR900 GP.
Thriller
Yamaha riders including Australian Jack Miller all attended the corporate VIP Stars Dinner and entertained the guests, signed autographs and posed for pictures.
Team managers Massimo Meregalli and Paulo Pevesio also talked about the challenges they faced in managing racers and expectations. After dinner, the VIPs were treated to a private pit visit where they could get up close and personal with Team Monster Energy Racing YZR-M1s on the eve of race day.
Over the weekend, star riders interviewed at the corporate hospitality tent included Craig Dack and his SX team riders from the US and Jess Gardiner, current Aus enduro champ and inductee into the Australian Motorsport Hall of Fame. Jess also rode a lap around the race circuit on her WR250F – with knobbies.
On the track
The weekend’s racing was intense and passionate and lived up to its billing as one of the most popular forms of motorsport on the planet.
With not much more than a leather suit for protection, these two-wheeled warriors put it all on the line, earning big respect from fellow riders and motorsport fans alike.
But what keeps punters coming back every year are the activities around the racing – the ride down and back, talking, living and breathing bikes, and the sights and sounds of the MotoGP weekend when Phillip Island moves to the beat of a thousand pistons.