OFFICIAL PROGRAMME · ABSENCE MAKES THE HEART GROW FONDER
world championship . He has had to change paddocks to aim for the next title . “ It ’ s obviously disappointing for Remy not to have a MotoGP™ ride in 2023 , however we are super-excited to have him in WorldSBK ,” said Bennett . “ It ’ s the first time since 2016 that there will be an Aussie in WorldSBK full-time . I am sure that our Australian fans will come out to support Remy and see the Gardner name that is synonymous with Phillip Island , where our main straight is named Gardner Straight . We are planning on returning WorldSBK to its traditional late-February time slot in 2023 as the final official preseason test and opening round of the series .”
Everybody , absolutely everybody , could have very well done without the absence of WorldSBK from PI last year , but Bennett summed up the feelings of all when he concluded , “ We ’ ve missed our friends from WorldSBK and our Aussie fans . I can ’ t wait to welcome everyone back to Phillip Island in November !” happen ,” he said . “ I ’ m sure WorldSBK is going to be a great way to finish the year .”
WorldSBK Director Gregorio Lavilla knows that WorldSBK has a great appetite to go back to Phillip Island , as much as the circuit wants WorldSBK to be there . He stated , “ As soon as things changed we said , ‘ let ’ s do it .’”
The desire for WorldSBK as an organisation to go back to PI is just as strong as the circuit ’ s was to host the world ’ s biggest productionderived series . That shows in the fact that - as you can read in more detail in a different feature in this official programme - Dorna is undertaking a challenging logistical southern hemisphere game of rapid hopscotch . After the pandemic , air-freight costs are much greater than before - but it is still going to be done . Even with the tricky Mandalika-to-PI-one-weekend-turnaround .
Troy Bayliss , speaking in Catalunya while he was supporting his son Oli ’ s WorldSSP rookie season was also asked what he thought Australians in general were thinking now WorldSBK ( and MotoGP™ of course ) are heading back to PI ? “ Everybody is dying for it to
Fact is , ending the racing year at PI is a big happy deal to those inside WorldSBK . We ’ ve missed ya . And who knows , this queen of circuits could end up being the kingmaker ?
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