01_AUS_2025 | Page 48

THE GREAT O ROLLERCOAS

The iconic status of the 4.450km long Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit is beyond question for many reasons . Location and backdrop , natural design layout , a long motorsport heritage and that wild downhill straight seemingly heading right into the ocean are just some of the reasons why PI is so acclaimed across the globe .
Join us with some riders from the past and present as we take a super-fast virtual waltz around the swoops and swirls of the track that forms the focus of WorldSBK ’ s first weekend in 2025 .
T7-T8 Hayshed
Big fast changes of direction here , as the circuit gradually climbs through the hypnotic blur of kerbs and trackside paint and that rapidly appear then disappear on each side . Guts and skill are needed to balance risk with a true reward in your lap time . Don ’ t take my word for it ask , five-time WorldSBK podium rider Steve Martin , as he had no hesitation in choosing The Hayshed as the key corner around PI . “ The part that gives you the most satisfaction if you get it right is the Hayshed corner ,” said the former regular WorldSBK rider . “ It ’ s one of the few right handers on the circuit and you approach it with so much speed . There are no ‘ two lines ’ through there . You need to nail it on that right hand side in exactly the right spot to get through there flat out . If you get it wrong on the exit it really does destroy the rest of the lap .”
T9 / Lukey Heights
The left hand approach to Lukey Heights flatters to deceive , for many reasons . The approach is completely blind , the inside kerbs are up then suddenly downhill , and you only really know you have got it wrong ( or right ) once you are lifting the bike up from your hard left lean , and smash the down button at what is a sharply descending express elevator of asphalt .
T10 / MG Hairpin
Hard downhill braking precedes an important entry to the fastest two long corners imaginable before the start / finish straight . Such an easy place to fall off or run wide as you ask a lot of the right hand side of front tyre . You must then endeavour to find the ideal exit line , all while turning tightly and braking strongly .
T11
T9
T10
T8
T11-T12
The driving left hander of T11 leads onto the seemingly endless high lean angle left curve of T12 . It is a simply awesome corner - on entry , apex or exit . A great place for a late race-winning slipstreaming set-up behind the rider in front , as Aaron Slight , a WorldSBK race winner here in 1997 , confirms . “ If you are coming off that last corner someone can always be faster because who knows where the edge is ?” said Aaron . “ If you are in the slipstream with someone you can just open the throttle a little bit earlier - but smoother . When you are in front you will wheel-spin it and bugger your drive up . But the whole track at PI is just amazing .”
T12
Back from New Zealand to Australia for a final comment on the final curve at PI .
“ For me the last turn is my favourite ,” said Oli Bayliss , who has joined the Triumph PTR Factory WorldSSP Team this year . “ When you hit the last turn with the correct speed and turn the bike the correct amount it can be such a cool corner , with some big sliding and seeing how close you can get to the edge of the track .”
46 OFFICIAL PROGRAMME