Shahin’s Tailem Bend motorsport park passes MotoGP safety inspection

THE eyes of world motorsport are a step closer to returning to Adelaide, after the Tailem Bend circuit on Thursday passed a safety inspection for its MotoGP class A licence.

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THE eyes of world motorsport are a step closer to returning to Adelaide, after the Tailem Bend circuit on Thursday passed a safety inspection for its MotoGP class A licence.

The MotoGP’s governing body, the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme, granted safety accreditation for the circuit, which is a green light for negotiations to begin with commercial operators of the MotoGP, the pinnacle of world motorcycle racing.

After a two-hour inspection of the construction site, safety chief Franco Uncini said Australia was well placed to add to its Phillip Island MotoGP event with a second at Tailem Bend, beginning in 2018.

The circuit is being built where the Dukes Highway meets the Mallee Highway, near Tailem Bend.

Sam Shahin and Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme safety officer Franco Uncini at the start/finish line of the motorsport racetrack under construction at Tailem Bend. Picture: Mike Burton

“In general the circuit is very safe and very exciting,’’ said Mr Uncini, also the 1982 world champion.

“I have worked with the (site developers) Peregrine Corporation for some time and it is fantastic to be here for the first time and see this fantastic layout. There is no reason not to have two MotoGP events in Australia.’’

Mr Uncini will complete a safety and design report on his return to Europe, seek input from MotoGP riders, and issue the FIM “class A” license needed to apply for a MotoGP round.

“There is no reason Australia can’t have a second event. It is a big country and does a great job with the Phillip Island event,’’ he said.

“There is a precedent with a number of races in Europe and the riders and teams could also stay for an extended period in Australia.’’

Spain hosts four rounds of the 18-race MotoGP series which spans four continents and 13 nations.

Sam Shahin shows motorsport officials around the under-construction motorsport park racetrack that Tailem Bend. Picture: Mike Burton

It is telecast to around 300 million viewers for each event via 87 networks in 207 countries and individual territories.

Mr Uncini said 2018 would be the practical start of the launch of MotoGP in South Australia.

“If the track work is complete in mid 2017, the event would not start until 2018 — 2017 would be too early,’’ he said.

“Phillip Island is in October so a second race in Australia (with a mid-2017 track completion) in 2017 would be too early, and that would be a planning year for 2018.’’

Circuit developer Dr Sam Shahin said the FIM licence would be used to approach Spanish-based Dorna Sports, which owns the commercial rights to MotoGP, to negotiate a deal to bring the series to SA.

Dr Shahin was also joined by officials from the Confederation of Australian Motorsport for the site inspection, which focused on track measurements and safety run-off areas.

“All the half-dozen safety issues are resolved with FIM so I’m thrilled that as a class A circuit we will be fully compliant,’’ he said.

“FIM approval for a class A licence is a prerequisite for talking to MotoGP so that was a step we have overcome.’’