PI secures endurance title until 2014
A three-year contract extension for the eight-hour race, with the challenge now to boost local and international entries -- and continue to push for a round of the world titleThe Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit has secured the rights to the Australian Endurance Championship from 2012 to 2014, with this year’s eight-hour race to be held on December 1-2.
“This three-year contract provides a great foundation for us, to invest and build the event. We are confident the eight-hour will gain momentum, will gain more national teams and more international riders,” said Phillip Island circuit managing director, Fergus Cameron.
“Even our first event last December created a lot of interest from the industry, from sponsors and from the media and attracted a Japanese team.
“We’re hoping that the eight-hour will do for endurance racing what the Island Classic has done for historic motorbike racing.
“We have made no secret of the fact that long-term we would like to gain a round of the Endurance World Championship and having the Australian title locked in for three years will give further credence for our vision.
“Importantly for the teams and riders there is no uncertainty. We are locked in and ready to go. We’ll be racing December 1 and 2, entries will open in August, and the teams can plan and budget for the next Phillip Island 8 Hour.”
Last December, the Josh Waters-led Team Suzuki steered its GSX-R1000 to an emphatic victory after eight hours, 279 laps or 1241 km of the 4.445km circuit.
The two-hour TV package on the race has been screened throughout January on SPEED TV, and will next be featured on January 27 at 6.30 pm.
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