Superbikes move leaves Phillip Island community in limbo

Victoria has lost its second international motoring event since February, with the loss of the FIM Superbike World Championships. The Australian round of the superbikes will be held at Victoria's Phillip Island track for the last time in 2027, and will move to The Bend South Australia in 2028. What's next? The Bass Coast mayor said the loss of another motoring event will be a financial blow for Phillip Island's economy. Victoria has lost another international motorsport event to South Australia, the second in six months. The Australian round of the FIM Superbike World Championships will be held at Victoria's Phillip Island track for the last time in 2027 and will move to South Australia's The Bend from 2028. It is the second major motoring event lost to South Australia in recent months after the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix announced it would move to Adelaide earlier in the year. Phillip Island, about one and a half hours south-east of Melbourne, has a reputation as a premier motoring circuit and has hosted the superbikes since 1990. Bass Coast mayor Brett Tessari said he was "shattered" for the Phillip Island community. "It's just another kick in the guts for the Bass Coast community, particularly for Phillip Island, for Victoria. It's just so disappointing," he said. The community of Phillip Island has been reeling since February's announcement the MotoGP would move to South Australia in 2027. The event was worth an estimated $29 million to the state's economy and supported 284 full-time jobs. Mr Tessari said the loss of the superbikes was a further financial blow to the region. "We've heard the state is working on events that might be able to cover these losses but we haven't seen anything yet," he said. WorldSBK executive director Gregorio Lavilla said The Bend offered excellent facilities and a strong commitment to motorsport. "Australia holds a special place in the history of WorldSBK and remains an important market for our championship, manufacturers, teams and fans," he said. Since the loss of the MotoGP was announced in February, Cr Tessari said no formal conversation had taken place between the government and the Bass Coast Shire Council. "As mayor of the shire I'm really disappointed that it's another major event leaving our state. Certainly, South Australia seems to have it under control at the moment," he said. Victoria' Minister for Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulous has been contacted for comment.