PREVIEW – 2023 Grand Ridge Brewery Australian World Superbike round
Words: Mike Ryan
Images: Russell Colvin
With a new champion, new riders, new teams and a full-time Aussie presence across World Superbikes and World Supersport for the first time in years, there’s a lot to look forward to for the season opener of the 2023 Motul FIM Superbike World Championship - the Grand Ridge Brewery Australian round at Phillip Island this February 24 to 26.
In the short time between the last Australian round in November, there have been new signings to various teams, along with the return of one or two old faces.
There are no major changes to the race formats for 2023, so what fans experienced in November will be more or less the same as what’s on the menu in February.
World Superbike and World Supersport will be racing on both days, backed by the support programme of national competition that’ll include Australian Superbikes, Australian Supersport and Australian Supersport 300 (TBC).
It all kicks off at Phillip Island on 24-26 February, with tickets for general admission, Bar SBK, VIP hospitality and the campground available now.
Normal Services Resumed
After COVID saw the Australian round of the World Superbike (WSBK) and World Supersport (WSS) championships cancelled in 2021 and rescheduled in 2022, it returns to its familiar season-opening slot in 2023.
That means that Phillip Island will also host the final pre-season WSBK test in the week leading up to round 1.
Rule changes of note that apply to both WSBK and WSS championships for 2023 include wildcard entries being compatible with the level of each championship in terms of rider, staff and equipment.
Concession points will be allocated to a larger number of finishers this year, which the SBK Commission says will capture a better balance of bike performance. The results of these points, assessed through a ‘Performance Calculator,’ will allow manufacturers to update existing concession parts or adopt ‘Super Concessions’ that allow chassis changes.
Fuel will be required to contain 40 per cent sustainable content (aka E40); the same as what’s been applied to MotoGP.
Finally, a common sense move will see pitlane closed during podium ceremonies when the presentation podium is located in or above pitlane. This applies to Phillip Island, along with several other circuits on the 2023 WSBK calendar.
Rider Rundown - WSBK
World Superbikes welcomed its second champion in as many years when Alvaro Bautista won the 2022 World Championship on his return to Aruba.it Racing Ducati.
Bautista ran a dominant season to take the crown from 2021 champ Toprak Razgatlioglu (Yamaha WorldSBK Team), while six-time WSBK Champion Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) had to be content with third overall.
Both will be aiming to unseat Bautista this year and it’ll most likely be these three fighting for the 2023 title, as it was last year.
Some jokers in the pack could include ex-MotoGP rider Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team), who spent last year on a Ducati Panigale V4R in the MotoAmerica series.
WSS graduates, including dual World Champion Dominique Aegerter and Lorenzo Baldassari, will be looking to make a mark in their rookie year, riding for GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team and GMT94 Yamaha, respectively.
Bradley Ray (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team), British Superbike champion in 2022, and MotoE star Eric Granado (MIE Racing Honda) will make their full season debuts, although both have ridden one-off rounds previously.
For Aussie WSBK fans, the big news is that Remy Gardner joins the series, teaming up with Aegerter at GYTR GRT Yamaha. Gardner’s arrival ends an Aussie drought in WSBK that dates back to 2016, with high hopes the son of Wayne Gardner can make an impact.
While all the factory teams are running unchanged lineups from last year, there has been some movement in the satellite teams, with Garrett Gerloff moving to Bonovo Action BMW (replacing the retiring Eugene Laverty) and Tom Sykes making his WSBK return with Kawasaki Puccetti Racing after a year away.
Rider Rundown - WSS
In World Supersport, Aegerter’s move to WSBK means the number 1 plate is up for grabs. Baldassari, the Swiss rider’s only real foil in 2022, has stepped up to WSBK, too, so the championship is wide open.
Despite not winning a race, Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) finished the 2022 season third overall, so would be the early favourite for the 2023 title.
The experienced Federico Caricasulo (Althea Racing Ducati) and the likes of Nicolo Bulega (Aruba Racing WorldSSP Team Ducati) and Stefano Manzi (with Dynavolt Triumph in 2022, but now with Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) all visited the podium last year, so they can’t be discounted, either.
The WSS field for 2023 sees several new arrivals, including Jorge Navarro (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) and John McPhee (Vince64 by Puccetti Racing Kawasaki) from the Grand Prix paddock, with other all-new riders including Maiki Abe (VFT Racing Yamaha) and the Yamaha Thailand Racing Team pairing of Apiwath Wongthananon and Anupab Sarmoon.
Andrea Mantovani (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team), Nicholas Spinelli (VFT Racing Yamaha) and Harry Truelove (Dynavolt Triumph) are some of the riders who come to WSS with only wildcard entries or experience from other classes in the past.
Graduates from World Supersport 300 include Yuta Okaya (Prodina Kawasaki Racing WorldSSP) and last year’s WSS300 champion Alvaro Diaz (Arco YART Yamaha WorldSSP).
Australian representation in WSS this year is the best it’s ever been, with Oli Bayliss remaining, but switching to D34G Racing (Ducati), while Tom Edwards is back after a partial campaign in 2022 with YART Yamaha WorldSSP Team.
The all-new Aussie arrival is Luke Power, who has signed with Motozoo Racing by Puccetti (Kawasaki), but that team are only confirmed for the European rounds (the WorldSSP Challenge) at time of writing, so Luke is unlikely to grid up at Phillip Island.
Aussie Support
Outside of the international races, there’s a full programme of national competition – likely to be made up of Australian Superbike, Australian Supersport and Australian Supersport300 classes – but the full race schedule was yet to be confirmed at time of writing.
The national categories should be running three races each over the weekend, so there’ll be plenty of on-track action to enjoy.
As the schedule will be subject to change, go to: worldsbk.com.au for updates.
TICKETING
With a packed programme of racing, a 3-day ticket to the the Grand Ridge Brewery Australian World Superbike round is your best option, but single day tickets are also available.
General Admission (GA) and Campground tickets can be purchased through premier.ticketek.com.au with GA tickets also available at the gate.
For VIP Hospitality packages, go to: worldsbk.com.au or call the WorldSBK Hotline on 1300 728 007 to book.
NOTE: The following pricing applies to pre-purchase ticket sales only. Discounts and other special offers are subject to availability and may have expired by the time you read this – please check online or call 1300 728 007 to confirm availability.
GENERAL ADMISSION
A General Admission (GA) ticket is your all-purpose option, allowing you to ride your bike around Phillip Island’s outfield and find your favourite section of the circuit to catch the action.
The 3-day ticket and selected single-day tickets include a Paddock Pass to access the Paddock Show with rider interviews, autograph sessions, giveaways and more.
Kids under 15 enter FREE when accompanied by a paying adult.
GA PRE-PURCHASE PRICE
Concession* Adult
Friday $25.00 $40.00
with Paddock Pass
Saturday $65.00 $85.00
Saturday $105.00 $125.00
with Paddock Pass
Sunday $70.00 $95.00
Sunday $110.00 $135.00
With Paddock Pass
3-Day $110.00 $140.00
With Paddock Pass
*concession includes Aged Pensioner, Seniors Card holder and full-time students.
BAR SBK
The Bar SBK R&R areas at Doohan Corner, Siberia and Lukey Heights feature undercover licensed bars, superscreen viewing, seating and a great atmosphere.
Your Bar SBK ticket also gets you entry to (non-reserved) grandstand seating at Doohan Corner, dedicated bike parking (Siberia and Lukey Heights) and access to the WorldSBK Paddock.
BAR SBK PRICE
Adult $305*
* 3-day pass
NOTE: BarSBK tickets must be pre-purchased and are not available at the gate.
CAMPING
Two camping zones alongside Southern Loop are available, with a layout that includes a dedicated motorcycle area, quiet area for families and ride-in ride-out access to the circuit outfield. Powered sites are available, but limited in number.
Kids 15 and under can camp for FREE with a paying adult.
GA CAMPING PRE-PURCHASE PRICE – Combined campground and GA ticket
Adult $260/person
Concession* $210/person
BAR SBK CAMPING PRE-PURCHASE PRICE – Combined campground and Bar SBK ticket
Adult $425/person
Concession* $405/person
*concession includes Aged Pensioner, Seniors Card holder and full-time students.
NOTE: If you’ve already pre-purchased your GA ticket and need a camping ticket, or have enquiries on powered sites, contact the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit direct on 1300 728 007.
NOTE1 - A one-off handling/service fee applies to ALL pre-purchased tickets, depending on method of delivery. See: ticketek.com.au for details.
VIP HOSPITALITY
Located on pit roof, Club Superbike puts you right above the action on pit lane, as well as in the heart of the WorldSBK Paddock and parc ferme.
This package includes reserved seat dining (morning tea, buffet lunch, afternoon tea) in a climate-controlled undercover suite, an outdoor viewing area, complimentary beverages (beer, wine, soft drinks, tea, barista coffee), eftpos bar for spirits, superscreen viewing with live course commentary, access to the Paddock Show, pit walk, program, reserved parking, WiFi and VIP shuttle bus access.
Club Superbike (Gardner Straight – infield pit roof)
Friday - $335/person
Saturday - $590/person
Sunday - $755/person
Sat/Sun - $885/person
3-day - $985/person
NOTE: Concession tickets are not available for VIP Hospitality packages.
All ticketing options listed here were still available at time of writing, but we strongly advise you check before making plans. VIP and Bar SBK tickets usually sell out in advance of the race weekend.
Book tickets for General Admission, campground and Bar SBK at ticketek.com.au or purchase GA tickets at the gate.
VIP ticketing packages are available through worldsbk.com.au
For further details, call 1300 728 007.
2023 Grand Ridge Brewery Australian World Superbike Round
Date – 24 – 26 February, 2023
Venue – Phillip Island Circuit, Phillip Island, Victoria
Contact -
Ph: 1300 728 007
Email: [email protected]
Web: worldsbk.com.au
