PREVIEW – 2019 Pramac Generac Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix
Words: Mike Ryan
Photos: Russell Colvin, unless indicated
Just as he did this time last year, Marc Marquez may have this year’s MotoGP championship in the bag, but there’ll still be plenty to fight for and plenty to see on track when the Pramac Generac Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix is held at Phillip Island this October 25 to 27.
Main Show
As this issue went to press, Marquez had a healthy 78-point lead in the championship and may have even wrapped up his sixth premier class title by the time he gets to Phillip Island. There are plenty aiming to stop him, though, including Andrea Dovizioso, last year’s race winner Maverick Vinales, crowd favourite Valentino Rossi and emerging stars Alex Rins, Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Quartararo.
Don’t discount Cal Crutchlow, either, while our own Jack Miller will come to Phillip Island with a string of top ten finishes under his belt in what’s been the Queenslander’s strongest season yet.
Remy Gardner is also having a positive season in Moto2, so expect him to be giving it his all at the Island.
There’ll also be local wildcards in Moto3 (still TBC at press time) to further boost the Aussie appeal!
Support Categories
In Moto2, Alex Marquez is edging closer to his first championship in the class, and with five wins so far this season (at press time), it could be a Marquez double-celebration at Phillip Island.
The younger Marquez holds a 35-point lead over Jorge Navarro, Augusto Fernandez and veteran Tom Luthi, who are all stuck on 146 points after Round 12, so expect them to be fighting hard for the Moto2 runner-up spot – and possibly the championship - come October.
Last year’s Moto2 race winner, Brad Binder, is on the rise following a win at Spielberg and three other podiums, but sits in fifth place in the championship.
In Moto3, it’s a tight battle as usual, with Lorenzo Dalla Porta leading the way for now, but Aron Canet and Tony Arbolino remain in championship contention, with Niccolo Antonelli and Marcos Ramirez long shots for the Moto3 title, too.
Last year’s race winner, Albert Arenas, has yet to replicate his success from 2018, with a best race placing of fifth this season and a lowly 20th in the championship.
In the national paddock, Australian Superbike and Australian Supersport 300 return as the confirmed supports, which promises plenty of action.
In Aussie Superbikes, it’s currently a tight battle between Mike Jones and Cru Halliday, with Bryan Staring and Troy Herfoss within striking distance, too, while Max Stauffer comfortably leads the Supersport 300 class from Harry Khouri and Senna Agius.
The Aussie classes always put on some fast and furious racing, so make sure you give them your support when they’re on track.
Get Cracking!
If you haven’t started getting your tickets sorted and yourself and your mates ready for the Island, get moving! Here’s a rundown on all the ticketing essentials.
NOTE: listed ticketing options were available at press time but JUST BIKES strongly advise you check the availability of your preferred ticketing options – at motogp.com.au - before making travel and accommodation plans.
TICKETING OPTIONS
Ticket options are available to suit just about every budget, but be advised that many of the grandstand and premium VIP packages sell out well in advance and some of these options were already gone before this issue went to press. So, unless you’re after a General Admission ticket, book early!
AUSGP ISLAND PASS
General Admission tickets have been rebranded as ‘AusGP Island Pass’ for 2019. While the name has changed, the tickets themselves have not. A Friday, Saturday, Sunday or three-day ticket is available, giving you the freedom to explore the entire Phillip Island outfield.
Your AusGP Island Pass ticket can be pre-booked at https://www.ticketmaster.com.au/, https://www.motogp.com.au/ or purchased at the gate. Pre-purchase your tickets through Ticketmaster outlets and you’ll save on the gate price.
For children aged 14 and under, entry is free when accompanied by a paying adult.
RIDERS UNITED
Riders United is a club that provides members with both pit lane walks and a special Gardner Straight walk on race day, as well as flexible payment options, access to Save Your Seat and Preferential Seat options for the 2020 Phillip Island MotoGP and even the chance to win tickets to an international MotoGP round.
Open to 3-Day or 3-Corner Grandstand ticket purchasers only, Riders United membership for 2019 had already closed before this issue went to press.
THE CLUBHOUSE
Situated on the MG Corner (Turn 10) outfield, this laid-back licensed area was previously available only as a 3-day pass, but for 2019, daily tickets to The Clubhouse have been added.
With everything you need to relax and watch the action unfold, The Clubhouse offers indoor and outdoor seating, beer and wine from a cash bar, plus live music between track sessions.
Tickets for The Clubhouse are limited, so don’t miss out.
Note: The Clubhouse ticket is additional to Island Pass, Grandstand and/or VIP Hospitality tickets and does not include circuit entry.
Children 5yo and under are admitted free of charge to The Clubhouse, but children 6yo and older must have a valid ticket.
CAMPGROUND
There are two campground areas – Trackside (bikes only) and Highside (all other vehicles) - both of which are situated close to the circuit near Southern Loop (Turn 2). There’s a family friendly section in Highside and powered sites are available, too, but these are limited and usually sell out quickly.
New for 2019 is a Premium Trackside option that covers the prime positions on the fenceline – as close to the circuit as you can get with a tent! Reserved for bikes and tents of up to four people only per site, Premium Trackside is an upgrade over the regular Trackside ticket price, with limited spaces available.
The success of last year’s pre-pitched tent option for Highside means it’s not only returning this year but is being added to the Trackside campground, too – doubling the amount of tents available.
Making it easier for riders to spend the weekend without carting their own tent and camping kit, the pre-pitched tents are available in single, twin (3m x 3m), triple (3m x 3.6m) or quad (6m x 3.6m) share. Each tent comes with an awning, roll-up windows, carpeted floors and even stretcher beds, so all you need to bring is your swag and lighting. A bedding pack (pillow, sheets and quilt) and camp table & chairs are available for extra cost. There’s space to park 1 x car or 2 x bikes at each tent, nearby shower and toilet facilities, and a 24/7 tent attendant.
While 3- and 4-night pre-pitched options were available last year, only a 4-night (24-27 October) package is offered this year, in line with normal campground conditions for 2019.
Note also that concession campground ticket pricing is no longer available.
Up to four children under 14yo will be permitted in the campground with each paying adult, but children using premium, powered and pre-pitched camping options will pay adult prices.
You haven’t really “done” the Australian MotoGP until you’ve done a weekend at the campground, so make 2019 the year you do it!
NOTE: campground tickets are additional to Island Pass, Grandstand and VIP Hospitality tickets and do not include circuit entry.
Campgrounds are open from 9:00AM Thursday 24 October to 12:00 Noon Monday 28 October.
*Ticket prices based on cash purchase from the campground ticket office located at the circuit.
GRANDSTAND SEATING
A grandstand seat is a great way to catch more of the action than you would at ground level, with your own reserved spot in one of many prime positions around the circuit. Selected grandstands also offer undercover weather protection and additional facilities.
New additions this year include the Marc Marquez Fan Zone on Gardner Straight, while some of the existing grandstand ticket options have changed their availability and format this year.
A MotoGP Paddock Pass is available as an extra-cost upgrade with most Grandstand tickets.
Grandstand tickets usually sell out in advance, so purchase early to ensure you don’t miss out.
NOTE: Concession pricing is not available on any Grandstand ticket.
Doohan Pavilion (undercover) - Located on the outfield at Southern Loop (Turn 2), giving great views of turns 1, 2, 3 and 4, so you won’t miss any of the opening lap action. As well as undercover grandstand seating, the Doohan Pavilion has superscreen viewing and an exclusive pavilion at the rear with a cash bar, food, drinks and private TV screens.
Stoner Pavilion (undercover) - Located on the outside of Turn 12, this pavilion offers views through turns 9, 10 and 11, as well as the battles for race wins exiting turn 12. Upgraded to an undercover grandstand this year, Stoner Pavilion also features Superscreen viewing, an undercover marquee at the rear, a cash bar, food and private TV screens, so you won’t miss what’s happening on the circuit, even when you’re away from your seat.
Siberia Grandstand (open) - Located on the outside of Siberia (Turn 6), this stand may sound chilly, but sees plenty of hot action, including battles through turns 4, 5 and 6, as well as riders setting up overtakes through turns 7 and 8. An open grandstand with views of the track and infield Superscreen, Siberia has food, merchandise and bar facilities close by, as well as stunning Bass Strait views behind you. Previously a 3-Day Pass in 2018, this Grandstand is now available as a daily ticket and Sat/Sun option.
Gardner Straight Grandstand (open) - Located on the main straight at Phillip Island, this grandstand is one of the circuit’s most popular, as it puts you opposite the start/finish line, pit lane and the team garages, so you’ll catch all the grid activity, as well as race starts and finishes! Behind this grandstand is the GP Expo, as well as merchandise stalls, bars, food areas and circuit entertainment. This grandstand also has a wheelchair-accessible platform.
Gardner Premium Grandstand (undercover) - Introduced last year, this undercover section of the existing Gardner Straight Grandstand offers all the facilities of the Gardner Straight Grandstand, but with the bonus of wet weather protection.A great family seating option, Gardner Premium is also close to food areas, merchandise stalls, off-track entertainment and the GP Expo, with kids’ rides close by, too
Marc Marquez Fan Zone (undercover) - NEW - New for 2019, the MM93 Fan Zone is one for Marquez maniacs, with undercover seating in Section A of the Gardner Straight Grandstand (Turn 12 end) with views of Turn 12 and the start/finish straight.The GP Expo is just behind, along with abundant food areas, merchandise stalls and off-track entertainment.Seat holders in this grandstand also receive a complimentary MM93 flag on race day Sunday.
Bass Strait Grandstand (open) - The Bass Strait Grandstand is situated near Turn 3 - aka Stoner Corner. If speed is your thing, you’ll love this grandstand, as it offers spectacular views of one of the fastest parts of the circuit. You’ll also catch starting lap action, as well as battles through turns 1, 2 and 4. With superscreen viewing, this grandstand is also located close to bars, food stalls and merchandise outlets
Lukey Heights Grandstand (open) - Located at Turn 9 - the highest point of the Phillip Island circuit - the Lukey Heights Grandstand offers a breathtaking view of virtually the entire track.One of Phillip Island's most exciting and demanding corners, Lukey Heights is often pivotal: races are won – and lost - here! Superscreen viewing (Turn 10 infield) and access to food stalls, with amenities and The Clubhouse nearby, make this a popular grandstand option.
3-CORNER GRANDSTAND SEATING
If you can’t decide on your favourite grandstand, or you’re new to the whole Phillip Island experience and want to capture as much of the action and atmosphere as possible, a 3-Corner Grandstand ticket is the way to go. Three different packages are available, with each one offering three different grandstand seating locations over the three days of the 2019 Pramac Generac Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.
PADDOCK PASS
Paddock passes allow behind the scenes access, where you’ll see riders, team personnel, grid girls, past legends and maybe even a celebrity or two.Paddock passes are available only as an upgrade to a Grandstand or VIP Hospitality ticket and cannot be purchased separately or with an AusGP Island Pass ticket.
Look for the paddock pass option when purchasing your tickets online – prices for 2019 are $99.00/person for Friday, $120.00/person for Saturday and $170.00/person on race day Sunday, with a 3-day Paddock Pass costing $290.00/person this year, on top of your Grandstand or VIP Hospitality ticket.
See https://www.motogp.com.au/tickets/search for the full list of options.
NOTE: A Paddock Pass is additional to a 3-Day Grandstand ticket or VIP Hospitality ticket and does not allow circuit entry.
VIP HOSPITALITY
To experience the Australian MotoGP round in premium style, you can’t go past a VIP Hospitality package. These packages always sell out and a number of options were already gone as this issue went to press. Get in quick for the remaining packages, or you will miss out!
Contact the VIP sales team on (03) 9258 7166 for booking enquiries.
Pit Roof VIP Village Gold
Located above the team garages on Gardner Straight (infield), a Pit Roof VIP Village Gold ticket gives you a bird’s eye-view of the pit lane action, as well as a great view of the grid and start/finish line action. As well as a reserved seat in this undercover facility, your 3-day pass also gets you a full hot buffet lunch each day, morning and afternoon tea, complimentary espresso coffee, tea, beer, wine, cider and soft drink, plus a cash bar for spirits. There’s also superscreen viewing and flat screen televisions to keep you up to speed with everything happening on the track, access to a casual outdoor balcony area and the Pit Roof Bar. Parking (conditions apply), daily pit lane walks, event programme, event souvenir and access to the VIP shuttle bus are also included.
Pit Roof VIP Village Silver Lounge
Located above the Moto2 and Moto3 garages on Gardner Straight infield, the VIP Village Silver Lounge features casual, non-reserved seating, with buffet lunch, morning and afternoon tea, a great selection of drinks and access to the Pit Roof Bar (cash bar for spirits). As well as views of the pit lane activity, Turns 11 and 12 and other selected parts of the circuit on the outdoor balcony, there’s VIP shuttle bus access, an event souvenir and other benefits included with this ticket.
Gardner Club - NEW
Available to the public for the first time in 2019, Gardner Club combines outdoor trackside seating - just past the start/finish line on Gardner Straight (outfield) - with grandstand seating for views of several key areas of the circuit.This VIP package includes reserved seat undercover dining with a hot buffet lunch, morning and afternoon tea, as well as premium beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee and tea, a cash bar for spirits, Saturday pit lane walk, superscreen viewing, event programme and more. Wayne and Remy Gardner will also be in attendance at selected times over the weekend.
Champions Club
Champions Club is a fan favourite thanks to its Turn 4 (Honda Corner - infield) location – a corner that sees epic overtakes and late braking manoeuvres – with views of Turns 2 through 6 as well. This VIP package includes undercover reserved seat dining with a hot buffet lunch each day, morning and afternoon tea, as well as premium beer, wine, cider, soft drinks, coffee and tea, plus a cash bar for spirits. You also get a casual outdoor area with garden chair seating, flat screen TVs, superscreen viewing, access to the VIP shuttle bus, parking and more. This VIP option is wheelchair accessible.
High Octane Club
Rivalling Champions Club for on-track action, the High Octane Club is positioned at Turn 10 (MG Corner) infield, where you’re sure to witness epic battles for position through Turns 9, 10 and 11.This VIP package includes undercover reserved seat dining, with hot buffet lunches each day, morning and afternoon tea, premium beer, wine, cider, soft drink, coffee and tea, plus a cash bar for spirits. You also get an outdoor viewing area with casual seating, access to the VIP shuttle bus, superscreen viewing, parking, event programme and more. This VIP option is wheelchair accessible.
NOTE: Terms and conditions apply to all VIP Hospitality options. Got to: https://www.motogp.com.au/tickets/vip-hospitality for more details, or call (03) 9258 7166.
TRAVEL OPTIONS
CATCH A COACH
Take the hassle out of getting to and from the Phillip Island circuit with a five-star coach.
Coach services from Melbourne (departing from Southern Cross Station’s bus terminal) to Phillip Island run from Thursday through Sunday at various times, with one-way options starting from $40 ($35 concession) and same-day return tickets from $44 ($38 concession). Race day Sunday return coach tickets are just $60/person ($46 concession).
Coaches also run from Cranbourne and Clayton to the circuit.
Flexi-Day Return tickets (Melbourne-Phillip Island-Melbourne CBD only) allow you to return a day or more after arrival: even as late as Monday if you party too hard on Sunday night!
Bookings are recommended for all coach options. To book your seat, view the schedule and get more information on Catch a Coach, head to https://www.motogp.com.au/
OTHER TRANSPORT OPTIONS
Interstate visitors can catch a Skybus from Tullamarine Airport to Southern Cross Station to connect with Phillip Island Catch-a-Coach services.
Metro rail services to Stony Point link up to ferry services to Cowes, with V/Line coaches from Dandenong train station to Cowes and regional bus services from Wonthaggi to Cowes.
On Phillip Island, the Grand Prix Shuttle Service covers Cowes, Rhyll, Silverleaves, Ventnor and out to San Remo, Cape Woolamai, Inverloch and Wonthaggi. The service runs day, night and into the early morning throughout the race weekend, with tickets from $10/trip. So if you’re staying on the Island - but not at the circuit - it’s still easy to get to the track.
See https://www.motogp.com.au for more details on additional and alternative transport options to get to Phillip Island and the GP circuit.
To find out more about ticketing options, including updates on availability, as well as all Terms and Conditions, go to: https://www.motogp.com.au
Call 1800 100 030 for all grandstand and AusGP Island Pass ticket enquiries.
Call (03) 9258 7166 for corporate and VIP hospitality enquiries.
Call (03) 9258 7100 for general enquiries.
Call 1300 300 701 for Grand Prix Travel packages.
25 – 27 October
Phillip Island, Victoria
