Moto GP just around the corner
THE 2017 motorcycle racing season is nearing the business end which means the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island is this weekend.
This is the biggest sporting event in regional Victoria and the economic benefit it brings to Bass Coast Shire is in excess of $30 million.
Phillip Island has successfully hosted the Australian Moto GP for the last 20 years and Bass Coast Shire Council recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Australian Grand Prix Corporation which secures this event on Phillip Island for the next 10 years.
A community day will be held on Friday, October 20, where Bass Coast residents can gain free general admission.
Residents can receive their free pass by presenting proof of residency at gate one ticket box on either Thursday, October 19 or Friday, October 20.
Cowes will come to life during the Moto GP with free entertainment activities over the extended weekend.
The bottom part of Thompson Avenue will become a licensed festival zone on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.
In addition, the Classic on Cowes vintage motorcycle display will be staged on the Esplanade.
Bass Coast Shire mayor, Cr Pamela Rothfield encourages residents to get on board with the event and activities.
“There are many free and family friendly activities happening over the weekend, and I encourage the community to come out and be a part of the fun,” Cr Rothfield said.
“The warm welcome visitors experience and buzzing atmosphere in Cowes is a big part of the total experience the event creates.”
The free activities kick off on Thursday when the community can come out and welcome an anticipated 500 riders as part of the 15th annual Barry Sheene Ride.
The ride from Bairnsdale to Cowes will pass through Wonthaggi at around 12.45pm and stop in at San Remo at approximately 1.30pm.
After a day at the track, there will be live entertainment at the main stage in Cowes, and extended outdoor incensed area.
The activities begin early on Saturday with the Classic on Cowes vintage motorcycle display from 9am.
At 11.30am expect almost 2000 motorcycles to converge on Cowes as the final stage of the Cranbourne GP Run.
The Cowes main stage will have live entertainment for much of the day with Braxton Hicks band at 11.30am, Bern Carroll at 6pm and an Aussie/DC tribute band headlining at 9pm.
On the final day, race day, the Cowes main stage will stay alive with a DJ at 6pm followed by a 7pm replay of the 2017 MotoGP race and a the final band, Smashenator at 8pm.
From Friday to Sunday Gap Road south of Back Beach Road will be closed to traffic, and Gap Road north of Back Beach Road will have restricted access from Ventnor Beach Road between 7.30am and 7.30pm.
Gap Road residents will have access via Phillip Island Road at all times.
On Sunday, Back Beach Road will operate as one way (circuit bound) from Beachcomber Avenue between 8am and midday. Later in the day, from 3.30pm to 6.30pm, the one way will change direction, operating from the circuit to Phillip Island Road, Melbourne bound.
The blue line will be in operation on Phillip Island Road between Back Beach Road and the Bass Highway merge on Sunday, 22 October from 3pm to 7pm.
For further details on all of the events and activities, visit basscoast.ivc.gov.au/events or pick up a copy of the community information brochure from any Council customer service or information centres.
Phillip Island and Bass Coast will become very busy before and over the Grand Prix weekend, with an expected 80,000 to 90,000 visitors.
To cope with the influx of visitors and traffic, a significant traffic management plan will be in place to minimise the disruption to the community.
VicRoads Director Eastern Region, Scott Lawrence said every effort has been made to prepare the roads in readiness for large crowds that will start arriving from later this week.
“Each year we welcome thousands of visitors to our region for the MotoGP event,” he said.
“Part of the great tradition of the MotoGP is the large number of motorcyclists who ride to the circuit either on their own or as part of an organised group.
“We are asking locals to pay particular attention to the additional maintenance crews and motorcyclists on the roads leading up to the GP.”
Mr Lawrence said maintenance crews have spent the past couple of weeks inspecting and repairing the main roads to Phillip Island.
“This week the focus will be on removing loose stones and other hazards from the shoulders of the roads to improve safety for motorcyclists, particularly those travelling in groups,” he said.
The Royal Australian Air Force will be conducting flying displays near the circuit over the weekend.
These displays, while thrilling to watch, can be loud and disruptive to pets.
Council encourage people to take the necessary precautions to ensure pets are safe.
They will take place at 5.25pm on Friday, 1.20pm on Saturday and 10am, 3.25pm and 3.45pm on Sunday.
For further details on all events and activities visit basscoast.ivc.gov.au/events or pick up a copy of the community information brochure from any council customer service or information centres.
Great tribute: the Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) in consultation with the Sheene family developed the concept of honouring motorcycle champion Barry Sheene with a Tribute Ride from Bairnsdale to the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit during the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix each year. The Tribute Ride finishes with a lap of the Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit. The ride departs on Thursday, October 19 from Main Street, Bairnsdale at 8.30am.
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Posted by Sarah Vella on Oct 17 2017. Filed under Sport. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
