The Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix kicks off next weekend on Phillip Island and brings with it plenty of things to see and do.
The action kicks off on Thursday, 13 October and runs through until Sunday, 16 October, both on and off the track.
Cowes will come to life during the MotoGP, with free entertainment and activities over the extended weekend. The bottom part of Thompson Avenue will become a licensed festival zone on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, featuring a super screen and stage, showing race highlights, including a replay of the MotoGP race, as well as plenty of live music.
Cr Whelan is encouraging everyone to get involved with events across the weekend.
“The MotoGP weekend is full of incredible events, both on and off the track. The Island will come alive with free family friendly activities, entertainment and fun,” Cr Whelan said.
The free activities kick off on Thursday, when the 18thannual Barry Sheene Ride, featuring 500 riders, passes through Wonthaggi at around 12.15pm and stops in at San Remo at around 1.00pm. It is great fun to watch and wave as the riders go by.
If you want to get a taste of the action at the track, Bass Coast residents are eligible for free general admission to the track on Friday, by showing proof of residency at the Gate 1 ticket box. After a day at the track, there will be live entertainment in Cowes, starting with local performers Alysha & Duffy at 6.00pm followed by The Laing Bros at 9.00pm.
The Cowes main stage will have live entertainment for much of the day on Saturday, with Bern Carroll at 6.00pm and Thunderstruck headlining at 9.00pm. The extended licenced outdoor area will remain open until 12.00am.
On Race Day (Sunday), the Cowes main stage will come back to life with a replay of the 2022 MotoGP race shown on the super screen at 7.00pm, with live music from Rehash, who will play from 6.00pm to 10.00pm, when the entertainment finishes.
The Red Bull planes will be conducting an aerobatic display near the Grand Prix Circuit over the weekend. The planes will perform an aerial display from 1.25pm to 1.35pm on Sunday. The timing of the display will be subject to weather conditions. This display, while thrilling to watch, can be loud and disruptive to animals so please ensure you keep your pets safe during these times.
The weekend of events may create traffic congestion and Council thanks residents and visitors for their patience. 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 only from Beachcomber Avenue to the Circuit, between 6.30am and midday. Later in the day, from 2.00pm to 6.00pm, 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 from 3.00pm to 7.00pm.
Traffic on Phillip Island Road can become extremely busy on Monday, when many of the event goers and workers leave the Island. If possible, please avoid travel on Phillip Island Road from 9.00am until around 1.00pm.
