Phillip Island resurfaced

The new surface concluded an upgrade to the Phillip Island Grand Prix track surface and infrastructure that begun almost immediatetly after the 2012 AirAsia Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, where Casey Stoner won his sixth straight event on the circuit.

The resurfacing process, which involved a fleet of construction equipment and up to 70 personnel, included months of preparations, site surveys and milling of 40 mm off the old surface before new asphalt was applied on December 11 and 12. The fresh asphalt is set to make Phillip Island the smoothest, fastest motorcycle circuit in the world.

"The circuit is used over 300 days a year and we have had a good 14 years from this track. It was time for a makeover," said the circuit's Magaing Director, Fergus Cameron. "The stresses and strains of Casey Stoner on a MotoGP bike or the world superbike riders going around this place at over 330 k's per hour all take their toll.

"And then there's the V8 Supercars, plus loads of other events, ride days and test days. The track has served us very well but it is time to give it a makeover."

"Because of the layout and setting of this track, Phillip Island is considered one of the world's motorsport meccas. It never fails to produce awesome racing, and we want to ensure riders and drivers compete on the smoothest, fastest track in the world."

The last resurface of the circuit was in 1998 - and prior to that in 1988 before the first Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix. To ensure the quality of high grade asphalt, a portable batching plant was installed in the National Support paddock to manufacture the new asphalt mix on site, rather than trucking it in.

January 2013's Island Classic event for historic bikes will be the first to experience the fresh surface, followed by the World Superbike Championship test session and opening round in February. The new race surface is expected to deliver the island's fastest SBK race on record.

Tickets for the February 22-24 2013 season opener are available now from www.worldsbk.com.au