EETS THE OCEAN
The historic Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit is a rare thing in 2026, for the simple reason that its 4.445kms of asphalt follow the blueprint of the greatest circuit designer of all- Mother Nature. The venerable and venerated Ocean-side circuit has long provided the season-opening swells that break across WorldSBK’ s beach. Here’ s what it’ s like to lap this modernday classic, with expert guidance from some past and present stars.
03
09
T9 / Lukey Heights
02
05 – 06
T5-T6 / Siberia
A legendary name- almost melodramatic- Siberia features a tricky right kink before what can be considered a double left-hander at T6. Working out a strong exit plan determines much of what happens from T6 to T9. Cold comfort for your lap time if you get Siberia wrong.
07 – 08
T7-T8 / Hayshed
Nothing like as slow-paced and gently rural as the name suggests, Hayshed remains one of the best places in WorldSBK to understand what it takes to be a top rider. Why? Because you have to combine confidence to the point of fearlessness with an understanding of where the elusive‘ limit’ truly lies. And all at wicked speeds. Alex Lowes picks this spot for that very reason, it seems.“ Up through the Hayshed and into Lukey Heights is my favourite section. It is not easy. Fast, and I always like fast corners. It is completely blind as you go up into Lukey and the bike is moving. I did one of my best moves ever there for a race win, around the outside of Bautista, so that sector means something to me. High-speed changes of direction are never easy, so it is probably the most physical part of the track as well. It’ s technical, difficult- but if you get it right- satisfying.”
A truly tricky sector. The apex is always just out of view over the rising track surface until you have fully committed yourself- then you suddenly have to punch the down button on the express elevator towards MG. Very soon after that, you are then hauling hard on the brake lever. It’ s a sudden contrast after all those high-speed changes of direction from Siberia to the Hayshed to the entry of Lukey itself. Tom Booth-Amos, PI WorldSSP Race winner in 2025 on his PTR Factory Racing Triumph, said,“ Lukey heights is quite satisfying if you get it right. Because it is so blind on the entry and the exit, when you get it right, it feels pretty good. It’ s off-camber as well, so it is really easy to tuck the front. It is also a bit scary opening the throttle there, as it is offcamber going downhill.”
10
T10 / MG Hairpin
The last realistic opportunity to overtake‘ slowly’ before the final two hypersonic lefts, MG has probably seen more failed passes than successful ones. Choosing exactly when to ease off the brakes- while turning right on a heavily loaded front tyre- seems the key here. Even the smoothest approach asks a lot of the front tyre.
11 – 12
11-T12
Watch for the tortured tyre smoke from those with more throttle opening than tyre grip. Local hero Remy Gardner cites this section as the most difficult on a Superbike. It certainly sounds like a‘ busy’ section.“ Every rider is a bit different, but for me, it’ s T11 and T12,” said Remy.“ You have to get on gas really early out of the second-last corner to carry good corner speed … then have a good line before you turn into the last corner … then there is usually a wind that pushes you out … so it’ s hard to get on line while keeping good corner speed … but you also have to focus on a good exit for the really long straight. It is a bit tricky to get really perfect.”
TRACK LAYOUT
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