Need more than the world’s best Superbike riders doing a squillion km/h around the Island? Check out what’s on off-track this year to see and do
1
Come and join the party in the Paddock
The paddock is the place to be to check out the riders as they ditch the bikes and head for the podium. While you’re in the neighbourhood check out the Paddock SuperShow. You’ll get the opportunity to press the flesh with WSBK, SSP and ASBK riders, jag some autographs, pose some questions and hear your favourite riders interviewed by SuperShow MC Michael Hill (not the jeweller). There’s also chat shows, rider karaoke, and prizes to be won, including your chance to win a spot on the grid. There’s super screens strewn throughout the paddock so you can watch the action unfold, while the jeweler commentates live with the help of a few special guests.
2
Walk the walk
Experience all the excitement and energy in the team pit boxes with a 30-minute pit walk. Walks happen between 1.40pm and 2.10pm on Saturday and between 11.05am and 11.35am on Sunday. Passes can be purchased from the Event Information Office located at the base of the pedestrian overpass on Gardner Straight.
3
Race a mate
There’s no better way to channel your inner dodgem car driver than in a go-kart race with your mates on the 750m scaled replica of the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. Strap yourself in to one of the 270cc Honda powered carts and put your driving prowess to the test. Tandem carts are available and so are lap time printouts, so that you can wipe the smile off your competitors faces while you waft past reeking of victory. The karts are located near the Visitors Centre and run all day. Bookings aren’t necessary so just front up and race.
4
Eat, Pray… Cagivas!
The visitor centre is the hidden little gem at the circuit. It dishes out a decent feed, serves drinks of the ‘look how good I can dance’ variety and offers a table and chairs to eat at. In addition to its culinary allures, the Visitor Centre also boasts an Italian GP motorcycle collection made up of 24 GP racing bikes ridden by the likes of VR46, Randy Mamola and Max Biaggi, and features nine world championship-winning bikes. There’s also a History of Motorsport Display which celebrates 80 years of motorsport at the Island if your tastes include those peculiar vehicles with more than two wheels.
5
Pampered patrons
If you enjoy the finer things in life, are a bit of a princess or simply have an abundance of cash, why not consider a VIP hospitality package? Sure it’s more expensive, but the drinks are colder, the food is better and toilet paper softer. There are three experiences to choose from, with pricing starting at just $215 and hitting the rev limiter at $2150 for the SBK Express package, where the lucky punter gets airlifted in and out of the event by chopper as well as getting all the other swank inclusions. Head to www.worldsbk.com.au/get-tickets/vip-hospitality/ for more details.
6
Is your kid the next fabio?
Once again Yamaha is holding free minibike demos for the kiddies to have a crack at. Riding gear is provided so your sprogs can enjoy supervised laps around the mini test arena on Yamaha’s legendary PW50, TT-R50 or even YFZ50 four wheelers. The Free Yamaha Fun Bike Demos can be found right next to the expo and caters for budding moto riders from 5 – 9 years of age.
7
Take a look at that!
The expo is the place to go to check out some of the latest and greatest machinery and accessories from some of the biggest names in the industry. It’s also a good place to shelter from the predictably unpredictable Phillip Island weather.
The big four will have 2020 models on display, with Honda showing off its new CBR1000RR-R SP for the first time in Australia, and Yamaha showing off its all-new WR250F, 2020 YZF-R1 and YZF-R1M, and the first Australian public appearance of its latest YZF-R15. Kawasaki will hold an autograph session with Jonathan Rea and Alex Lowes, and Suzuki will have a massive eight models on display as well as a range of official merch.
The expo is open across the three days from 9am to 6pm on Friday, 8am to 6pm on Saturday and from 8am to 5pm on Sunday.
8
Get to the chopp-per!
A scenic helicopter flight at Phillip Island is one of those things you always say you’re going to do but never cough up for. No doubt there’s other ways to get higher, cheaper but they aren’t legal and we don’t condone that sort of behavior. There is no better way to see the track or the island and it really is a cool thing to do and worth every cent.
Tickets can be purchased from the trailer near the Expo or at the Lukey Heights Helipad.
9
Present tents
When you camp you get to enjoy some of the best atmosphere of the Phillip Island weekend. A three-day admission and camping pass starts at $235 for adults and kids under 15 get to camp for free with a full-paying adult. You also beat the crowds to ensure a good viewing spot, since it’s just a short stroll from your campsite to the fence.
10
Battery bikes
Not to be outdone by the mob from Yamaha with its PeeWee’s ’n’ stuff, OSET electric bikes have a bunch of battery operated beasts for the kids to try. Catering for dirt magnets between 2 and 12 OSET make a great range of learner friendly bikes, so whip on down and get the pups started on their moto journey.
On track!
SATURDAY
10:00 WSBK FP3
10:35 WSSP FP3
12:15 WSBK SUPERPOLE
12:55 WSSP SUPERPOLE
15:00 WSBK RACE 1
SUNDAY
09:30 WSBK WARM UP
09:55 WSSP WARM UP
12:00 WSBK SUPERPOLE RACE
13:15 WSSP RACE
15:00 WSBK RACE 2
On screen!
If you can’t make the trek to the island this year you can watch all the action live and on demand through Dorna’s official WorldSBK VideoPass, which will set you back €69.90 ($115) and will give you access to the entire 2020 season. Alternatively, you can buy a monthly pass for €14.90 ($25) and watch a race or, well, three!
