Concerns mount regarding Phillip Island’s future as a race track after MotoGP decision

The man responsible for designing the iconic Phillip Island circuit, and Adelaide's original Formula 1 street circuit, Bob Bernard, has questioned MotoGP’s decision to leave the venue in 2027. 

Following discussions with organisers of the Phillip Island circuit regarding a new deal, MotoGP confirmed earlier this year that it would be moving the Australian Grand Prix to a new street circuit in Adelaide from next season.

As expected, the decision split opinion as Phillip Island is one of the most iconic race tracks on the current calendar. Leaving historic venues is nothing new for major championships, as Formula 1 has done the same in the past by moving away from places like the Nurburgring and Hockenheim. 

However, MotoGP’s decision to leave Phillip Island was arguably a greater shock than that, as it has hosted every Australian GP since 1997. 

Now, in a letter shared by Motorsport Magazine’s Mat Oxley, Bernard has shared details of what could happen to the Phillip Island circuit, which he fears could ultimately be “lost and gone forever”.

The full open letter can be found below.

An Open Letter to Motorsport Enthusiasts

“When I heard of the plan to move the Australian MotoGP round from Phillip Island to a street track in Adelaide I adopted a position that after 30 years of living away from Australia it was no longer my place to have an opinion. I also took the view that as the person responsible for the creation of the current Phillip Island Circuit and bringing the event to Australia in 1989, and also as the person who created the Adelaide F1 track I should remain impartial.

“As some of you are aware I have been asked about my opinion, and answered that it was not an issue for me to be involved in, but offered my thoughts on its viability, having moved the race myself to Sydney, where it stayed for only six years, before returning to Phillip Island, but at least leaving a permanent circuit for the State of New South Wales.

“Recent comments suggest that after losing both the GP and the WSBK the owner of the Phillip Island Circuit property, Lindsay Fox, may turn it into a golf course. Mr Fox is already engaged in attempting to build a new circuit at Avalon in Victoria.

“It now concerns me that the decisions by Liberty Media, the owner of MotoGP Sport Entertainment, the commercial rights holder for MotoGP and WSBK, and the South Australian State Government will result in the loss of both iconic circuits, lost and gone forever. For an increase in share price for one and votes for the other, neither thinking of the good of the sport or the heritage they represent.

“The new Adelaide layout is not the original circuit and will not replace what is regularly voted on as the best F1 street circuit in the world, nor the best motorcycle GP circuit as expressed by the riders.

“What would be the outcry if Bathurst were to be revamped for MotoGP, changing the layout, or worse, closed and sold for a golf course? Phillip Island preceded Bathurst, with the first Australian Grand Prix being staged there in 1923, while the Bathurst 1000 evolved from the Armstrong 500 at the current circuit.

“The current opposition in Adelaide is focused on the loss of the heritage of the Parklands, the public space, tree canopy and fauna. South Australia risks sacrificing mature Parklands trees while Victoria risks losing Phillip Island Circuit. Instead of creating a new asset, Australia may simply destroy two internationally recognised assets to create one uncertain replacement.

“Australia should not be forced to choose between motorsport and environmental heritage. We should not lose the world's best street track and possibly lose the best motorcycle race track while sacrificing Adelaide's Parklands.

"Before irreversible decisions are made we deserve to see the full circuit design and true environmental footprint, the financial case, and an honest assessment of whether destroying two world-class assets is really progress.

"The local Adelaide community’s interests and the motorsport enthusiasts interests should therefore be aligned on this issue, and I am disappointed not more of those involved in both two and four-wheeled motorsport have spoken out.

"After careful consideration I am now strongly opposing this proposed intention to relocate the MotoGP to a yet unknown and yet to be built circuit in the Adelaide Parklands.”

Bob Bernard

With MotoGP confirming the move to Adelaide in February, this year’s Australian Grand Prix will be the last at Phillip Island, before WorldSBK races at the iconic circuit for the last time in 2028. 

MotoGP will race at the new 4.195km (2.6-mile), 18-turn, Adelaide street circuit for the next six years, which will also have the honour of hosting the first Australian Grand Prix of the new 850cc era.

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