Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit is to undergo a raft of upgrades aimed at enhancing fan experience ahead of this year’s MotoGP Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.
The track, located on the island that is 90 miles south of Melbourne, will benefit from improvements to grandstands alongside revamped access roads by the time the event takes place in October.
According to the SpeedCafe website, organisers said that new improved grandstands will provide more room for spectators, while the Doohan Pavilion will feature premium padded seating options with flip-up seats, drink holders and arm rests.
A four-year high 37,000 motorsport fans attended last year’s Australian leg of the MotoGP calendar. Phillip Island attracted a record 53,100 fans in 2012.
“From a grandstand perspective, every few years we need to renew our supply arrangements with the supply contract there, and we really took the opportunity there to make sure we’re thinking about what’s important to the customer,” Ashley Davies, Australian Grand Prix Corporation general manager of operations, told Speedcafe.com.
“One of the simpler things from a grandstand perspective is making sure you’ve got enough space to be able to enjoy the spectacle in comfort, so the key thing from there is that each of the seats are wider than they were last year and for the last few years.
“While that doesn’t seem a great deal to us, it feels different when you’re in the grandstand each day.
“Again with the Doohan Grandstand it was just about being able to identify some great creature comforts that we can deliver for the customer there.”
Safety at Phillip Island
As well as improvements to spectator areas, there will also be changes to the track itself. Following a recommendation from FIM MotoGP Safety officials changes will be made to exit kerbs that have been identified as a possible danger to riders.
Furthermore, a small strip of concrete will be added to the rear of the exit kerb at Turn 2 to assist riders running through the corner.
IMAGE: Wikimedia/Dunnybrusher
