Can anyone help a first-timer to Phillip Island?

Local friends-of-friends are missing the race this year, so I'll be making the trip blind at the end of the month for SBK weekend (27 Feb - 1 Mar). Not sure yet if I will be making the daily trek out from Melbourne or camp at the track. I was hoping to get suggestions from members with previous event experience from either MotoGP or SBK.

Any help would be appreciated at this point.

Thanks!

PI is a long way from Melbourne...you would be better off trying to stay closer or on the island itself (great holiday atmosphere)...will you have your own transport??

It's a good 2-hour drive or ride up to the Island from Melbourne, bit of a pain though to do that every day if you intend to do the three-day thing but if you're on a budget it's an option. There are also shuttle coaches every year from Flinders Street to the track, plus back.

It would be well worthwhile to stay on the island for the whole weekend. Loads camp out, or many people rent accommodation from local people, or holiday houses and share the costs with other friends. Cowes on a Saturday night is always good fun, the pubs are full and there are show-offs doing burnouts etc.

I appreciate the replies guys.

No transport of my own for this solo weekend. So I'd either be taking the dedicated coach every day from Melbourne or camping it at the track. I guess it would make more sense to camp, if only for the PI atmosphere?

Bumper, Cowes sounds fun. Anyplace you recommend to check out?

Favourite viewing spots at this track?

Thanks!

Cowes: it pretty much consists of one main strip with pubs/restaurants/shops.

I have to give a special mention to an Italian restaurant there called, IIRC, Pino's. You HAVE to check it out, it's full of bike heroes memorabilia, signed photos of all the big MotoGP and SBK riders, present and past, plus of course great authentic Italian. The place gets absolutely packed on race weekends so get there early.

Also, there's a big pub (forgot the name) on the corner of the main strip where it ends, opposite the jetty near the water with an outside seating area at the back. It's a pretty basic affair, but again with memorabilia, plus pool tables.

The burnouts and general show-offs are usually near that pub and on the main strip near the water, although in recent years the police have curbed it a lot and barricaded it off as the whole thing was getting a little out of control sometimes (but hey, nothing like the madness on a Jerez Saturday night).

If you want to buy any merchandise, ther'e always a few, some of them temporary, team/rider merchandise shops that spring up during the big weekends, they can also be found on the main strip.

Favourite track spots: I'd say, if you have time and you're going the whole weekend anyway, walk the whole track at various sessions and check out each corner. Turn 1 (Doohan corner) is pretty special, the bikes come up from the long straight, then have to brake real sharp into turn 1 before going into the left-hand loop which is off-camber, and riders take different lines through there. Another great turn is Lukey Heights (turn 10) where the bikes run up a blind hill, then drop down from great heights before heading into the turn, it's almost like a mini version of Laguna Seca's corkscrew (but not quite, and going right rather than left. OK it's different ). Or stand at the Hay Shed point, at the back of the track, it offers great viewing too. Basically the whole track is paradise if you're into bikes

Personally I love the place, been there various times, it's a mixture of holiday feeling (Philip Island has lots of great beaches where families go in the summer to cool off), nature reserves with the famous fairy pinguins and other wildlife, plus the place oozes motorracing.

Hope this helps, let me know if you need any additional info.

That's great stuff Bumper! Very much appreciated, especially your guide to the track.

I have seen photos of Cowes' high street so that gave me the impression that its all pretty contained. You're the second person to recommend Pino's, so I will check that out. I think the other spot you refer to is called "hotel" maybe? The place on the corner at the intersection of the night-time high jinks.

If anything else comes to mind maybe you can add to this thread or send me a pm. My plans are pretty fluid right now, but hopefully everything will come together!

I got my ticket order in for "BAR SBK." Access to Gardner Straight, Lukey Heights, and Siberia with "superscreens" and "fully stocked bar."

Track staff have confirmed that SBK campground will have toilets, showers, live entertainment, small general store, bar facilities, & 24-hr security. Looks like I found a home.

Thanks for the help!

Cool, and the bar sounds good too

I understand you're going to the Melbourne F1 GP too later on in March?

A few of us Atlasers are going to be at the GP as well and we might do another AtlasF1 meet and greet this year, like is done most years. Look out for a separate thread in RC nearer the date.

Definitely would be up for an Atlas M&G Bumper!

Melbourne always looks like a laugh from the photos that get posted here. Hope to see you there or around in the grand stand over the F1 weekend.