Popular classic road racing event returns on Australia Day long weekend.
Image: Russell Colvin.
A date has been set for the 2020 International Island Classic at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, scheduled to return on the Australia Day long weekend on 24-26 January.
Featuring a century of motorcycles from pre-war through to the new era machines, the event is a motorcycle-lovers’ paradise over a massive three days.
From Friday to Sunday, the circuit brims with people passionate about bike racing, engineering and two-wheel history with over 450 bikes, 300 riders and 50 plus races starring on a packed agenda.
Tickets to the 2020 International Island Classic are due to go on sale later this year, while further details on the event are expected to be released in the coming months.
Bruce Anstey is to make a welcome return to TT action in the class and starting at his customary #5 for the Milenco by Padgetts Motorcycles team while team-mate Davey Todd will be the first to head down Glencrutchery Road when the Dunlop Lightweight Classic TT runners set off on August 24th.
Clive Padgett’s team has won every year since the class – primarily for 250cc 2-stroke race machines – was introduced to the Classic TT in 2016, with the returning Anstey triumphant in 2016 and 2017 and Lee Johnston taking the honours 12 months ago.
Bruce Anstey (250 Honda/Padgetts Motorcycles.com) at Ballacraine during qualifying for the 2017 Bennett’s Classic TT.
However, this year will be the first occasion that the team has fielded two machines, with rising star Todd and the seasoned Anstey on a pair of Honda RS250s. The combination of rider talent, machine preparation and proven pedigree means the Padgetts team will line up as hot favourites for victory, and whilst Anstey’s competitive return to racing is a triumph in itself, don’t be surprised to see the 250cc lap record holder make a fairy-tale return to the Classic TT podium.
Clive Padgett hugs Bruce Anstey after his record-setting win in the Dunlop Lightweight Classic TT Race in 2017. Photo Stephen Davison / Pacemaker Press Intl
Reigning Dunlop Senior TT champion, Dean Harrison lines up at number 2 on the first of three Laylaw Racing Yamaha TZ250s, with team-mate Ian Lougher starting from number 3. Harrison made his debut in the class in 2018 and while he wasn’t able to challenge for victory in 2018, he finished just off the podium with a fourth-place finish. Meanwhile, Lougher has stood on the rostrum in each running of the Lightweight Classic TT, taking second place in 2016 and 2017 and a third place in 2018. Phil Harvey lines up on the third yellow and white Laylaw machine at number 12.
Dean Harrison to join Lougher and Harvey on TZ250
Michael Rutter is set to start at number 4, but the seven-time TT winner and two-time Classic TT winner has yet to reveal what machine he will be riding, having previously ridden a 750 Ducati in the class.
Michael Rutter at the Gooseneck on his way to winning the Sure Junior Classic TT Race in 2017. Photo Dave Kneen
Joey Thompson – starting at number 6 – is the first of a three-man fleet of Honda RS250s for John Chapman Racing, with teammates Dan Sayle and Ryan Kneen starting at numbers 10 and 11 respectively.
2-stroke specialist Gary Vines will start at number 7 on one of the three Binch Racing Yamaha TZ250s. With a personal best lap speed just shy of 115mph, the 29-year old could provide an upset for the established TT riders further up the field.
Vines is joined in David Binch’s team by Jamie Coward starting at number 8 and last year’s winner Lee Johnston, who starts at number 13 having made the switch from Padgetts Honda to the Binch Racing Yamaha. Johnston will be onboard the same TZ250 that Adam McLean finished second on – behind Johnston – 12 months ago. To date, it is the closest that any rider or machine has come to besting the dominant Padgetts Motorcycles team and, with Johnston onboard, will surely be their toughest opposition to date.
Lee Johnston won the Lightweight Classic TT in 2018 on a Padgetts Honda RS250
McLeod Accessories and Fly Racing have announced the 2020 racewear range’s arrival in Australia, including the Kinetic, F-16 and Women’s Lite Hydrogen ranges.
The Kinetic line offers a ultra-durable set of kit, with innovative features, classic comfort and a focus on reliability, and is designed to suit weekend riders through to pro racers. The Fly Racing F-16 offers a race-inspired clean graphic line, with exceptional value and a classic fit and finish.
The Women’s Lite Hydrogen racewear offers gear specifically designed for women, with an all-new stretch construction and anatomically correct design, ensuring comfort and performance. Here’s a look at what’s available:
Fly Racing Kinetic Pant – Adult $179.95/Youth $169.95 RRP
The Fly Racing Kinetic pant offers a durable multi-planel 900D construction, with stretch-rib panels, comfort mesh liner and leather heat shields including DuPont Kevlar stitching.
2020 Fly Racing Kinetic K220 Pants
Laser cut ventilation ensures good breathability, with soft-flex rubber badging, while knees are pre-shaped and sized for knee braces and guards. The waist includes Fly Racing’s zipper lock system alongside a ratcheting closure system, with adjustable waist-belt.
The full floating seat is surrounded by stretch-rib material to ensure comfort and that it moves with the rider, while an internal pocket is also found inside the waistband. The Fly Racing Kinetic Pant is available for $179.95 RRP in Adult sizes and $169.95 RRP for Youth sizes in the K120 and K220 ranges at your local Fly Racing stockist.
2020 Fly Racing Kinetic K120 Pants
Comfort mesh liner helps keep you comfortable and cool
Multi-directional stretch-rib panels for flexibility
Internal pocket located inside the waistband
Ultra-durable multi-panel 900D construction
Laser cut ventilation for precision breathability
Leather heat shield panels with DuPont Kevlar stitching
Soft-Flex protective rubber badging
Ergonomically pre-shaped knee accommodates most knee braces and guards
Full-Floating seat surrounded by stretch-rib material moves naturally with your body
Exclusive zipper lock system keeps pants closed and secure
Ratcheting closure allows for adjustability
Adjustable waist belt for custom fit
2020 Fly Racing Kinetic Racewear
Fly Racing Kinetic Jersey – Adult $49.95/Youth $49.95 RPP
The Fly Racing Kinetic Jersey features multi-panel construction with mesh ventilation and an extended tail to keep the jersey tucked in, and a standard cut fit, without being too tight, or too baggy. Shorty elastic sleeve cuffs assist with a comfortable fit that allows riders to perform at their best.
2020 Fly Racing Kinetic K220 Jerseys
The Fly Racing Kinetic jersey is available for $49.95 RRP in Adult and Youth sizes in the K120 and K220 ranges at your local Fly Racing stockist.
2020 Fly Racing Kinetic K120 Jerseys
Tagless comfort-stretch collar
Relaxed shorty elastic sleeve cuffs
Multi-panel construction for maximum performance and comfortable fit
Mesh ventilation helps dissipate heat
Extended tail helps keep jersey tucked in
Standard fit: not too tight, not too loose
Fly Racing Women’s Lite Hydrogen Pant – $219.95 RRP
The Fly Racing Women’s Lite Hydrogen pant offers a lightweight design, with stretch panel construction, stretch leg cuffs with removable elastic, a ventilated comfort mesh liner and ergonomically pre-shaped knees to suit most knee guards and knee braces.
2020 Fly Racing Women’s Lite Hydrogen Pants
A full-float seat is surrounded by stretch-rib material to ensure natural movement with the rider, while leather heat shields feature DuPont Kelvar stitching. An adjustable waist belt allows a custom fit, with a women-specific anatomically correct fit.
The Fly Racing Women’s Lite Hydrogen pant is available for $219.95 RRP at your local Fly Racing stockist.
Lightweight minimalist design
Ventilated comfort mesh liner keeps you comfortable and cool
Full-Floating seat surrounded by stretch-rib material moves naturally with your body
All-new material with 90% stretch panel construction provides an anatomically correct fit for the female body
Ergonomically pre-shaped knee accommodates most knee braces and guards
Leather heat shield panels with DuPont™ Kevlar® stitching
Sleek adjustable waist belts for a custom fit
Women’s-specific design and cut
Multi-directional stretch panels for flexibility
Low profile stretch leg cuffs with removable elastic band
2020 Fly Racing Women’s Lite Hydrogen Racegear
Fly Racing Women’s Lite Hydrogen Jersey – $59.95 RRP
The Fly Racing Women’s Lite Hydrogen jersey features multi-panel construction, alongside mesh ventilation and a comfort-stretch tagless Lycra collar for comfort and an ideal fit, while shorty cuffs with elastic sleeves won’t restrictive movement. An extended tail keeps the jersey tucked in and like the Women’s Lite Hydrogen pant, the jersey is a women’s pro fit, designed for an anatomically correct women’s fit.
2020 Fly Racing Women’s Lite Hydrogen Jerseys
The Fly Racing Women’s Lite Hydrogen jersey is available for $59.95 RRP at your local Fly Racing stockist.
Mesh ventilation panels in key areas help dissipate unwanted heat
Shorty cuffs with elastic sleeves provide unrestrictive mobility, and a comfortable fit
Multi-panel construction for maximum performance and comfortable fit
Comfort-stretch tagless Lycra collar for increased function and fit
Women’s Pro Fit: anatomically correct women’s-specific fit
Extended tail helps keep jersey tucked in
Fly Racing F-16 Pants – Adult $119.95/Youth $109.95 RRP
The Fly Racing F-16 pants offer unbeatable value, alongside a 600D polyester construction, mesh comfort liner and multi-directional stretch ribbing.
2020 Fly Racing F-16 Pants
Low profile stretch leg cuffs ensure comfort, along with pre-shaped ergonomic knees with room for knee guards or braces, with soft-flex protective knee badges.
A ratcheting fly closure ensures a good fit, alongside adjustable waist belts, and a YKK main zipper offers high durability. The Fly Racing F-16 pant is available for $119.95 RRP in Adult sizes, or for $109.95 RRP in Youth sizes at your local Fly Racing stockist.
Mesh comfort liner keeps you cool and comfortable
Multi-Directional stretch ribbing for flexibility
Low profile stretch leg cuffs
600D polyester for strength and outstanding durability
YKK main zipper for maximum durability
Soft-flex protective knee badges
Ergonomically pre-shaped knee accommodates most knee braces and guards
Ratcheting fly closure allows for adjustability
Adjustable waist belt for custom fit
2020 Fly Racing F-16 Racewear
Fly Racing F-16 Jersey – Adult $34.95/Youth $34.95 RRP
The Fly Racing F-16 Jersey features a lightweight polyester multi-panel construction, with standard fit, and extended tail. Short elastic cuffs and a stretch-collour with tagless printed label ensure comfort.
2020 Fly Racing F-16 Jerseys
The Fly Racing F-16 jersey is available for $34.95 RRP in Adult and Youth sizes at your local Fly Racing stockist.
Comfort stretch collar with tagless printed label
Short and relaxed elastic cuffs
Lightweight, durable polyester construction
Multi-panel construction for maximum performance and comfortable fit
Classic and vintage styled charity ride set for this September.
Image: Foremost Media.
The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride is set to embark on its eighth edition in 2019 as the classic and vintage styled charity motorcycle ride returns on Sunday, 29 September.
Over 125,000 motorcyclists around the world will suit-up in their smartest attire and unite in the annual Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, with the aim of raising $7,000,000 USD for prostate cancer research and men’s mental health initiatives on behalf of official charity partner, the Movember Foundation.
The Movember Foundation is the leading charity dedicated to helping men lead happier and healthier lives. Together with The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, they are dedicated to addressing some of the largest health issues faced by men around the world.
Founded in 2012 by Mark Hawwa in Sydney, the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride has raised over $18,500,000 USD for men’s health, with a goal of raising a further $7,000,000 USD to the cause in 2019.
With over one million men losing their lives annually to suicide and prostate cancer, this event is calling on the global classic and vintage style motorcycling community to stop men dying too young. This year, the ride will parade through the hearts of over 700 cities across 110 countries. For more information, visit www.gentlemansride.com.
Factory Kawasaki renews MXGP contract with Desalle for 2020
Section: Competition
Injured MXGP rider signs on for next year’s world championship.
Image: Supplied.
Monster Energy Kawasaki Factory Racing has renewed its contract with Clement Desalle for the 2020 MXGP World Championship, which will see the Belgian rider embark on his fifth season with the squad.
Desalle, who’s been sidelined with a leg injury after a horrific crash at the MXGP of Russia, says the injury was no reason to end his career, and that he’s excited continue with the factory Kawasaki team.
“I never had any doubt about my future,” said Desalle. “I know where I want to go, I know what to expect and for me there was no reason to stop my career after my injury. I have a good feeling when I practice in different sports, and I still have a huge motivation.
“I know that even if the level of my rivals is very high I can battle for the win, and when I’m at the start gate my goal is always to win. And I have a great feeling with the team – you need a good team and a good bike to win, and I have all of this with KRT where they offer me great working conditions.
“I got the green light from my doctor to start riding my bicycle on asphalt, and in a few weeks I will be back on my mountain bike, then my enduro bike and finally my motocross bike. It’s great to be able to have some activities, and it’s a good mental stimulation – after my knee injury earlier this season the goal was to be back racing as soon as possible, but after this injury in Russia I knew that it would take a fairly long time as I couldn’t do any activities for several weeks.
“The goal has always been to take the necessary time to be back at 100 percent, so I have not set a specific date for my comeback. Of course it’s difficult to watch the races on television as you would like to be in action on your bike. We’re used to a very intense life – at each race we produce a lot of adrenaline and I’m missing that so much.”
Desalle’s current teammate, Julien Lieber, is also on the sidelines with injury, prompting the team to draft in Tommy Searle as a fill-in rider.
Ducati is tipped to unveil its 2020 models on 23 October 2019 with a Streetfighter V4, Multistrada V4, Multistrada S GT and a Scrambler Icon Dark added to its ranges.
And now a leaked document from the US Environmental Protection Agency lists the “Multistrada 1260 S Grand Tour” and “Scrambler Icon Dark”.
Since the Multistrada GT will be powered by the 1262cc L-Twin engine as the name suggests, maybe the Multistrada V4 is on hold for another year.
Or they may be considering running two Multi ranges with twin and four-cylinder engines.
We also expect the Grand Tour will have luggage and a bigger windscreen.
As for the 803cc Scrambler Icon Dark, it is likely to have a blackened engine and matte-black paint instead of its iconic yellow.
Ducati Scrambler Icon
Whatever they release in October, Ducati announced in April 2018 that every model in their 2020 range will have blind spot warning and adaptive cruise control.
Cianciarulo signs 2020 premier class deal with Monster Energy Kawasaki
Section: Competition
Long-time Kawasaki contender to join Tomac next year in the 450 class.
Image: Supplied.
Adam Cianciarulo will graduate to the premier class in 2020 after signing with Monster Energy Kawasaki, joining team regular and two-time outdoor champion Eli Tomac next year.
Cianciarulo will make his 450 debut after being part of Kawasaki’s racing program for a number of years, beginning with a record-setting stint in amateurs with Team Green and a successful career underneath the Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki team awning in the 250 category.
“I am super excited and grateful for this opportunity,” said Cianciarulo. “I was just a little kid when I signed with Kawasaki in 2004, and it’s been a dream of mine since then to reach this point.
“From growing up in the Team Green program, to my 250cc career with Mitch Payton and Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki, I feel I’m prepared to take on this next challenge of competing at the highest level. The work has just begun and I’m ready to get started on my new KX450.”
It was announced in May that Tomac signed a multi-year contract extension, while the team has confirmed Joey Savatgy will depart the squad at season’s end. Cianciarulo, who leads the 250MX points rankings in the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, will make his maiden 450 race at the 2019 Monster Energy Cup.
The Honda CB500X is back with more off-road chops for 2019, including a 19-inch front wheel in place of the old 17. (Photos by Drew Ruiz)
For reasons that remain a mystery, Honda waited until the 2016 model year and the introduction of its very capable CRF1000L Africa Twin to get serious about joining the adventure bike party. Sure, there were short-lived tryouts late in the last century (e.g., the original Africa Twin, Transalps and NX650 models), but these were well ahead of the explosion in ADV-bike understanding and popularity, and the 1998-2013 semi-ADV Varadero was never brought to the U.S.
But just prior to the new Africa Twin, Honda dipped a toe in the ADV pond by calling its ruggedly styled new-for-2013 CB500X an “adventure sport” motorcycle, and despite its 17-inch wheels at both ends and 4.7/5.5-inch suspension travel, quite a few riders took that description at Honda’s word.
Slightly increased suspension travel and a beefier shock in back help allow the CB500X to tackle rougher sections reasonably well.
Subsequently our March 2014 issue tour test to Tombstone, Arizona, included some dirt roads, where the CB500X’s light weight and decent ground clearance helped it do OK (absent deep sand or ruts). The bike’s lower price and seat height has since endeared it to beginning and smaller riders, some of whom want to sample the ADV experience without spending a lot of money—call them the “Adventure Curious.”
The CB500X’s ADV role got a boost when a UK-based outfit called Rally Raid Products created an “adventure kit” for it that includes spoked tubeless wheels with a 19-inch front, longer travel suspension, an ABS cutout switch, taller handlebars and more, and sold lots of them.
For this 5-foot-10-inch rider, standing up requires bent knees to reach the handlebar, which is higher for 2019 but not by much.
Honda has been paying attention to all of this, of course, the result of which is a new 2019 CB500X that incorporates several updates to make it more adventure capable as well as some solid upgrades to its performance and user friendliness. Chief among them is a new 19-inch front wheel that improves bump absorption, front-end feel off-road and high-speed handling, and longer suspension travel (up 0.4-inch front and rear, with an upgraded shock from its larger sportbikes) that reduces bottoming and increases ground clearance.
Unfortunately, seat height is up 0.8-inch as a result, so Honda has narrowed the seat front to make the ground an easier reach–with my 29-inch inseam I can still plant the balls of my feet on the ground. Steering rake and wheelbase are slightly longer for more stability, yet the bike’s turning radius is 8 inches smaller, and new 7-spoke cast wheels are shod with Dunlop Trailmax Mixtour tires that have an aggressive tread pattern and deep grooves.
Stock tires are new Dunlop Trailmax Mixtours, a 90/10 on/off-road radial with aggressive tread for dirt roads and good grip on-road. Jonathan Livingston approves of the bike’s refreshed styling, too.
At 471cc the CB500X twin is in that size and price sweet spot that makes it both a great ride for beginners and a nice first or second bike for commuting and short trips. There’s power aplenty for most riding, with a screaming 8,200-rpm redline and a flat torque curve that makes it very responsive throughout most of the powerband. Grabbing a handful of throttle in top gear on the interstate doesn’t inspire much urge without a downshift, but the bike cruises along nicely at 75 mph with little vibration and (based on our 2013 model test) should get great fuel economy.
Changes to the parallel-twin engine for 2019 (which also apply to the CB500R and CB500F) like a new intake tract design, fuel injectors, valve timing and muffler give it a claimed 3-4 percent more midrange power and a racier exhaust note, and help it meet looming Euro 5 emissions regs. More dogs on the transmission gears improve shifting, and a new assist-and-slipper clutch reduces lever effort by 45 percent, adapts to the load for better hookup under heavy acceleration and reduces engine braking when downshifting.
Updates to the liquid-cooled, 471cc DOHC parallel twin boost midrange power and improve power delivery, and it gets an improved transmission with assist-and-slipper clutch.
Although the Grand Prix Red CB500X can be had with ABS, that’s it for electronic rider aids, and the optional ABS is not switchable (but the fuse box and ABS fuses are readily accessible under the locking seat). For 2019 the bike gets an adjustable brake lever, a revised hydraulic ratio for the rear brake and upgraded ABS modulators that improve braking in low-traction situations (on the ABS version).
In the cockpit there’s a new tapered handlebar for ADV looks that is slightly (0.3 inch) higher and rubber-mounted to minimize vibes; a 0.8-inch taller, two-position windscreen and a new full-featured LCD display with a larger screen and thinner bezel that includes gear and adjustable upshift indicators. The CB500X also looks more adventure-y thanks to a restyled fuel tank, all-LED lighting and a new shroud design that directs radiator heat away from the rider’s legs.
Handlebar and windscreen are both taller for 2019, and the CB500X gets a larger new LCD display.
Besides weight, displacement and cost, the chief difference between the CB500X and its 300- and 650-class ADV bike competitors is probably ergonomic. Those bikes have genuinely sit-up riding positions with tall handlebars and lowish footpegs, and though it’s closer to them now the X still retains some street bike feel, particularly for larger riders.
The bar is taller for 2019 but it’s still low by ADV standards, and the footpegs are a bit high, so it takes more effort to stand up, and standing up off-road creates a long reach to the grips. On the other hand, that wide handlebar and more tucked-in seating position works even better on the pavement now, and the upgrades to steering, suspension and brakes as well as the additional power make the bike serious fun on a twisty road. Wind protection from the taller screen is quite good, and vibration can only be felt in the grips and footpegs at higher rpm.
For the press ride Honda equipped the bikes with Bridgestone Battlax Adventurecross AX41 knobbies, just one of many good ADV tire choices enabled by the larger front wheel.
Honda set up a brilliant ride for the press in the mountains around Julian, California, with a mix of dirt and pavement that showed off the bike’s capabilities very well. Rather than the stock Dunlops, Honda hedged its bets by equipping the bikes with Bridgestone Battlax Adventurecross AX41 tires, an aggressive ADV knobby that works surprisingly well on the street and provided reassuring traction on the dirt bits.
Clutch pull and shifting are indeed butter now, and with the slipper clutch, more linear power delivery and new ABS and brake settings the bike is quite easy to control on loose surfaces and stops hard when needed. Although damping settings are fixed, spring preload is adjustable at both ends, and other than some rear tire chatter when accelerating over washboard the suspension performs quite well for a bike in this price range. It was a warm day yet I didn’t notice any engine heat, and though the new display suffers from glare when the sun is directly behind it is otherwise highly functional.
Revised ergonomics are fine for smaller statured riders off-road, and work especially well on the street.
The accessories list for the CB500X includes heated grips, a centerstand, locking panniers, hand guards, a rear carrier and more, and outfits like Rally Raid will continue to carry ADV upgrades for the new bike as well as for previous model years. At 433 pounds gassed and ready to ride, weight-wise the ABS version is right in between the 300- and 650-class ADV bikes, and the CB500X’s seat is still lower than the 650-and-larger machines, so it’s a good choice for someone who wants interstate touring capability in a smaller, more affordable machine that is also ready for the adventure curious.
Chassis Frame: Diamond-shaped tubular-steel w/ engine as stressed member, box-section steel swingarm Wheelbase: 56.9 in. Rake/Trail: 27.5 degrees/4.3 in. Seat Height: 32.7 in. Suspension, Front: 41mm stanchions, adj. for spring preload, 5.3-in. travel Rear: Pro-Link single shock, adj. for spring preload, 5.9-in. travel Brakes, Front: 320mm disc w/ 2-piston floating caliper & ABS (as tested) Rear: 240mm disc w/ 1-piston floating caliper & ABS (as tested) Wheels, Front: Cast, 2.50 x 19 in. Rear: Cast, 4.50 x 17 in. Tires, Front: 110/80-HR19 Rear: 160/60-HR17 Wet Weight: 433 lbs. (as tested) Load Capacity: 383 lbs. (as tested) GVWR: 816 lbs.
Performance Fuel Capacity: 4.6 gals., last 0.7 gal. warning light on MPG: 87 AKI min. (low/avg/high) NA Estimated Range: NA Indicated RPM at 60 MPH: 4,750
Honda CB500X accessories include a centerstand, locking panniers, hand guards, tank pads, a light bar, tank bag and heated grips.The single 310mm floating front wave rotor and 2-piston caliper provide good stopping power up front.Larger front wheel and additional suspension travel raised seat height, so Honda narrowed it in front to make it easier for those of us shorter of leg to reach the ground.
Motorcycle racing has taken a step close to returning to Bathurst’s Mt Panorama with the unveiling of plans for a second circuit.
Motorcycle racing at Bathurst finished in the late ’80s.
Since then, the touring cars and now Supercars have heavily modified the track to a stage where is now unsafe for motorcycle racing.
The existing Mount Panorama Circuit is also limited in the number of permitted full track closures per year.
Council says that by building a second circuit, motorsports activity can “grow without changing the heritage of the historic Mount Panorama Circuit, cementing Bathurst’s international reputation as a motorsport hotspot”.
Circuit plans
The new $52 million “Velocity Park precinct” would be suitable for MotoGP and World Superbike racing.
The second 4.5km track built to FIA Grade 2 and FIM Grade A spec would be located on 200 hectares in valley southwest of the current 6.2km circuit.
Council hopes construction will begin early in 2021 and be completed within 24 months.
The circuit would accommodate a range of high-profile motorsport events year-round and feature additional multi-use facilities.
Maybe there will even be motorcycle track days at the site.
The international circuit has one long straight and nine corners of varying diameters.
There are also shorter 2km and 3km circuit options for national and club events.
It will also provide for a range of facilities including a hotel, driver training centre and a driver experience centre. No mention of special motorcycle facilities, though.
Pit lane
Motorcycle racing history
Bikes raced at Mt Panorama from the 1940s and it hosted several pre-world-title Australian GPs.
Forrest’s Elbow is named after motorcycle racer Jack Forrest who scraped his elbow away after laying down his bike on the corner.
Hell Corner is named after a tree stump at the apex where it was believed motorcyclists who misjudged the corner would die.
In the 1980s, the Easter Races were marred by riots until council imposed an alcohol ban.
Motorcycle racing at Mt Panorama
Consultation
Before construction can begin these new plans and an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that is currently being prepared will go on display for public consultation later this year.
Council will host the following community consultation drop-in sessions:
Armada Bathurst – 121 Howick Street, Bathurst Thursday, 8 August from 4pm-7pm
Bathurst City Centre – 210 Howick Street, Bathurst Friday, 9 August from 10am-1pm
Bathurst Chase – 39 William Street, Bathurst Wednesday, 21 August from 12pm-3pm
Bathurst Regional Council – 158 Russell Street, Bathurst Thursday, 22 August from 5.30pm-8.30pm
National Motor Racing Museum – 400 Panorama Ave, Bathurst Thursday 22 August from 10am-1pm
Ducati is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the sexiest motorcycle ever made – the 916 – by displaying in their Bologna museum the model owned and ridden by its creator Massimo Tamburini.
Massimo Tamburini also worked on the MV Agusta F4 and both of his sexy creations were displayed at the New York Guggenheim Museum’s The Art of the Motorcycle exhibit of 1998-1999.
He died in April 2014 after a long battle with lung cancer at the age of 71.
As part of the celebrations for the 25th anniversary of the Ducati 916’s production launch, the Ducati Museum above their Borgo Panigale factory will feature the 916 owned by the legendary designer.
