Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, Racing Circuit

Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit occupies a coastal site on the south of Phillip Island in Victoria, Australia, around 100 miles from Melbourne, with dramatic views over Bass Strait. Motorsport on the island dates back to 1928, when the first Australian Grand Prix was run on a public-road course, and a permanent circuit was built by the Phillip Island Auto Racing Club, opening in March 1956. Its history has been turbulent: the original surface broke up under heavy touring cars, ownership changed hands several times, and the track fell into disrepair before a major rebuild in the late 1980s cut it to its present length and restored it to international standard. That revival was driven by the success of Australian rider Wayne Gardner, whose 1987 500cc world title helped bring a motorcycle Grand Prix to the venue in 1989. The fast, sweeping seaside layout of 4.448 kilometres and twelve turns is celebrated as one of the world's great motorcycle circuits and is renowned for its flowing high-speed corners and exposure to coastal weather. Turn three was officially named Stoner Corner in 2012 in honour of Australian world champion Casey Stoner. After tobacco-advertising bans interrupted the Grand Prix in the early 1990s, the event returned permanently in 1997, with Mick Doohan among its celebrated winners. Successive owners invested in safety upgrades, including run-off and barrier work after Linfox Property Group bought the circuit in 2004, and a full resurfacing followed the 2012 season. Today it remains a premier venue for MotoGP, World Superbike and Australian touring car racing.

Operated by: Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit Pty Ltd