Classic corner: Turn 12, Phillip Island

Phillip Island’s long, left-hand turn 12 has always been a cracker, as well as being vital one for riders (and drivers) to get right if they want to maximise top speed down Gardner Straight and set themselves up for a quality lap time.

But it’s all about fighting traction the whole time, with the back end squirming to stay on track – and sometimes that's too much to ask. A recent case-in-point was Carlos Checa high-siding in the opening World Superbike race in 2012. The Spaniard was snapped over the bars like a rag doll before he knew it, but it obviously didn’t affect his confidence as he won race two just hours later.

And who can forget Belgian rider Stephane Mertens getting all out of shape exiting turn 12 in the 1992 World Superbike round? He ended up crashing and breaking his collarbone, while his Ducati cannoned into the wall, burst into flames and eventually came to a standstill past the start-finish line.

But those are some of the riders who haven’t hit the mark, but plenty have got it right and produced some of the most spectacular slides imaginable – including Australia’s very own Phillip Island master Casey Stoner.

Honda’s World Superbike team has just started a five-part WSBK Classic Corners series, and Phillip Island’s turn 12 is the first to be examined in detail.

This video features Honda World Superbike Team riders, Jonathan Rea and Hiroshi Aoyama, as well as Chris Pike, Jonathan's crew chief, and Giorgio Barbier of WSBK tyre supplier Pirelli.