AUSTRALIAN Grand Prix Corporation general manager of design and construction Matt Walton has explained recent changes made to the popular Phillip Island circuit.
As first reported by V8 Sleuth, a month-long project was embarked on, finishing April 23 – well and truly in time for last weekend’s Shannons SpeedSeries round at the southern Victorian venue.
SpeedSeries was not the end game, however.
“Works were undertaken to ensure compliance with the FIM Grade A licence requirements for the MotoGP event,” Walton told V8 Sleuth.
Phillip Island will play host to the 2023 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix across October 20-22.
Walton confirmed the long list of safety modifications included:
- Extending the Turn 1 asphalt run-off and gravel trap
- Extending the existing crash barrier behind the Turn 1 gravel trap towards Turn 2, and installing tyre barriers and conveyor in front of that lengthened barrier
- Extending the Turn 11 and 12 gravel trap
- Realigning the Turn 11 and 12 barrier, plus installing concrete barriers and debris fencing with tyre barriers/conveyor
- Installing concrete verge at Turn 1 (drivers’ left), Turn 2 (drivers’ right), Turn 4 (drivers’ right), Turn 6 (drivers’ right), Turn 8 (drivers’ left), Turn 9 (drivers’ right) and Turn 11 (drivers’ right)
- Extending the existing concrete verge at Turn 12 (drivers’ right)
Then a road course, Phillip Island hosted the inaugural Australian Grand Prix in 1928.
The circuit also has a special place in Australian touring car history, being home to the first three editions of the Armstrong 500, which later morphed into the Bathurst 500 and now the Bathurst 1000.
MotoGP first came to the Island in 1989, just months after the track had reopened.
The Repco Supercars Championship has not raced at Phillip Island since 2019.