Fears grow for Phillip Island MotoGP as community launches fight to save race
Community leaders have launched a campaign urging Premier Jacinta Allan to guarantee the future of Phillip Island’s MotoGP amid fears the $60m event could be moved interstate.
The state government has been urged to guarantee the future of the Phillip Island MotoGP as fears grow the major event could be moved from its traditional home.
A coalition of businesses, councils and tourism groups have joined forces to campaign for a commitment to keep regional Victoria’s biggest major event where it belongs.
Community leaders including mayors of Bass Coast and South Gippsland Councils have written to Premier Jacinta Allan, concerned one of Victoria’s most iconic events could be lost on her watch.
They will on Wednesday launch a campaign asking the government to save the race, which delivers an economic impact of about $60m to the community.
It comes amid fears the MotoGP could be moved interstate or even overseas by its new owner Liberty Media, the US company behind Formula One.
A letter sent to Ms Allan on Tuesday night revved up the fight to save the race, with a decision on its future believed imminent.
“Losing the 2026 Commonwealth Games events from Bass Coast was a big blow but it was not part of our sporting tradition,’’ it said.
“The Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix is an integral part of our community and the state’s major events calendar and we look forward to your commitment that it will stay at its Island home and not be allowed to be poached by another state or country.’’
Next year’s race is the last of a 10 year contract but the government, Australian Grand Prix Corporation and Dorna Sports, the global MotoGP rights holder, are yet to announce if a new deal will be done.
The “Save our MotoGP” campaign wants to stop the event being stripped from Phillip Island for the first time in 28 years, with businesses to plaster the message over shops over the summer.
Bass Coast mayor Rochelle Halstead, Destination Phillip Island and Destination Gippsland have also written to Grand Prix chair Martin Pakula and opposition leader Jess Wilson about the issue.
Ms Halstead said the group would “fight hard to keep it.”
“Economically, culturally and socially the MotoGP holds huge significance for the Bass Coast community,’’ she said.
“Particularly the small businesses in hospitality, retail, accommodation and tourism who rely heavily on the race weekend.’’
The government said negotiations were ongoing but could not guarantee a new deal.
“The Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix is synonymous with Phillip Island – we are proud to back this much-loved, iconic event that showcases the best of the Bass Coast to a global audience,’’ it said.
But Rosa Scarlato, owner of Pino’s Trattoria in Cowes, said the government needed to act to ensure the event was not lost like it was to NSW from 1991-96.
“We lost it once to Eastern Creek and it was depressing,’’ she said.
“We don’t want to lose it again, so the government has to move … they have to do something.’’
The Phillip Island track, owned by the Fox family, is in the state electorate of Bass which is held by Labor by a small margin.
Its location two hour’s drive from Melbourne is believed to be a stumbling block in contract talks.
This year’s race attracted 93,000 fans – the highest since 2012 and a 10,000 increase on 2024.
The MotoGP has been held at Phillip Island annually since 1997 and first staged at the venue in 1989.
The AGPC said: “Phillip Island is an iconic destination and one of the most renowned circuits on the MotoGP calendar, loved by both fans and riders for its unique character and exciting racing.
“The community atmosphere on the Island, along with the region’s diverse tourism experiences, showcases the best of Victoria.”
Originally published as Fears grow for Phillip Island MotoGP as community launches fight to save race
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