OFFICIAL PROGRAMME · ABSENCE MAKES THE HEART GROW FONDER
EXCITING CONTENT
It ’ s an old truism that absence makes the heart grow fonder . For those who care for each other at least . Between WorldSBK and PI , there is a mutual appreciation society with roots that go way back , and fresh shoots reaching out into the future . WorldSBK has been going to PI for a very long time , and it will actually overtake Assen at the top of the list of tracks with the greatest number of individual WorldSBK races to its credit . That will happen even if we only get two of the planned races done this weekend .
We European-based visitors have really missed the annual trip ‘ down under ’ to one of the most dramatic and naturally sculpted circuits there is . But what about the people at the circuit itself , a venue which has been through some traumatic periods since the unwelcome arrival of ‘ you-know-what .’ The WorldSBK / PI ‘ mateship ’ is still strong , don ’ t doubt it . It must be , we ’ re not even waiting for a potential big re-start in early 2023 , we ’ re having a real big re-start just two months or so after MotoGP™ ’ s deafening thunderclap rolls into town .
We asked David Bennett , the General Manager of the Phillip Island Circuit , what the overall ‘ vibe ’ is like for the people at PI to be able to open up to international competition again ? “ It ’ s exciting to be able to welcome back international guests and importantly our friends from the WorldSBK paddock ,” said David . “ It ’ s a nervous excitement however given the labour challenges that all industries face across the country . Having MotoGP™ and World Superbike so close builds momentum and gives our Aussie fan base an opportunity to engage with the sport multiple times over a couple of months . The influx of people will also very welcome to our local businesses and Philip Island tourism . There are some challenges we will need to navigate given the differing build requirements between the events , and the strain it will put on our workforce and volunteer officials . But as Australians do , we are all buckling-in for the ride to ensure that we deliver our guests a memorable experience returning to Phillip Island .”
Almost every circuit on the planet struggled to survive , never mind thrive , for the past couple of years , but arguably it has been particularly tough for PI . As remote as you can get in some ways , right out on the coast and still literally an Island , it is also heavily reliant on its proximity to Melbourne for its biggest customer base . Even people in Europe and beyond understood Melbourne took lockdowns very seriously .
Bennett explains the particular Phillip Island challenges faced in the recent unprecedented times , stating , “ As you know , Melbourne was one of the most locked down cities in the World . Whilst regional Victoria enjoyed some more freedom than our city counterparts , with most of our client base coming from Metropolitan Melbourne the circuit was shut down for a long period of time . These lockdowns caused significant financial strain and whilst we were able to have some sporadic activity during 2020 and 2021 , it wasn ’ t really until November 2021 that activity started to return . We did our best to support our staff and customers during this time but naturally like most businesses we have lost some good people along the way , but on the positive have replaced them with good people as well .”
Other than the addition of FIM homologated LED lighting panels , used all over now as an extra high-vis way of warning riders about dangers , etc on track , we will recognise much of what we see at PI this year from previous visits .
If you have never been to any , or that many , WorldSBK tracks in Europe , you ’ ll have to take our word for it , but PI is as unique in its character and ambience as it is in its primo location and wildly lefthanded layout .
“ It ’ s exciting to be able to welcome back international guests and importantly our friends from the WorldSBK paddock ”
David Bennett
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