Doohan to ride at Phillip Island MotoGP

While Casey Stoner remains a tentative but hopeful starter for the October 28 AirAsia Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island, Doohan is locked in for the event, and will throw a leg over Honda's latest RC213V for some demonstration laps around the 4.44km circuit. The demo laps will be the first he's done at the Island - on a modern-day Grand Prix bike - since he raced and won the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix back in 1998.

"The last time I rode a Grand Prix bike at all was in the mid-2000s in Japan, so it's been a long while, and I'm really looking forward to it," Doohan said.

"The fans and the riders always enjoy getting down to the Island, so hopefully this year with Casey's retirement announcement, it's going to be a big event. It'll be good to play a little part in that, and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone down there."

Doohan will familiarise himself with the 1000cc RC213V, provided by Stoner's Repsol Honda Team, on the Saturday at the Island before the demonstration run prior to the MotoGP race on Sunday.

Shuhei Nakamoto, Executive Vice-President of Honda Racing Corporation (HRC), said the link between Australian champions of the past and present will be a special occasion.
"It is great to be able to provide such a tribute to an Australian World Champion at his home Grand Prix. With Mick and Casey both on track, it will certainly be an exciting weekend for the Repsol Honda team," he said.

For Doohan, the Honda connection is a natural one, as all five of the Aussie's World Championships, achieved from 1994 to 1998, and all 54 of his 500cc victories came on Honda machinery.

Tickets for the 2012 AirAsia Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix are selling fast, with a number of VIP hospitality and grandstand seating options already sold out. The Australian Grand Prix Corporation is urging fans to book early to see two Australian greats in action.

Go to www.motogp.com.au for further details and all remaining ticketing options.

Image: motogp.com