Phillip Island

Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit hosts the 2026 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship round, marking the 35th year this venue has been part of the WorldSBK series. The circuit welcomes the premier WorldSBK class alongside World Supersport (WorldSSP) and the new World Sportbike (WorldSPB) category. The Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) adds to the racing program with support races. Global motorcycling competitors will battle on this famous Australian circuit, with world-class production motorbike racing across multiple classes.

The Circuit

The Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit sits near Ventnor, Victoria, Australia. The Southern Loop of the track runs along the Bass Strait coastline, offering riders a unique coastal setting. The circuit measures 4.445 km (2.76 miles) in length with a width of 10 meters. Riders navigate 12 corners, consisting of 5 right-hand turns and 7 left-hand turns. The start/finish straight extends 835 meters, with pole position on the left side.

The circuit holds an FIM Category A track license, which permits the highest level of motorcycle racing. It also possesses an FIA Grade 3 track license. High-speed straights and flowing corners define the track layout, creating challenges for riders and close racing action.

Racing Classes and Format

WorldSBK Class

The WorldSBK class features production-based superbikes from major manufacturers. Riders compete on machines from BMW, Ducati, Kawasaki, Honda, Yamaha, and other brands. Teams like ROKiT BMW and Aruba.it Ducati bring factory-backed efforts to the championship. Australian riders have historically performed well at Phillip Island, securing 23 wins from 53 WorldSBK races held at this circuit.

World Supersport

The WorldSSP championship runs alongside the main WorldSBK races. This category features 600cc and middleweight bikes in a competitive support series. The grid can accommodate up to 34 riders, including one wildcard entry.

World Sportbike

The 2026 season introduces the new WorldSPB class, which replaces the previous WorldSSP300 category. Eligible motorcycles include the Yamaha R7, Aprilia RS 660, Honda CBR600RR, Kove 450RR, Suzuki GSX-8R, Triumph Daytona 660, Kawasaki ZX-6R 636, and CFMoto 675 SR-R. The category targets approximately 90 horsepower with performance balancing systems in place.

WorldSPB uses engine concession parts, torque-limited maps with rev limits, and minimum weight requirements to ensure competitive parity between different motorcycle models. Riders must be at least 16 years old. New riders can compete until age 25, while experienced riders from WorldSSP300 or WorldWCR can race until age 28. The maximum grid size matches WorldSSP at 34 riders, including one wildcard.

Technical Regulations for 2026

WorldSBK Technical Changes

The 2026 WorldSBK class implements fuel flow limitation, starting at 47 Kg/H for all manufacturers with a tolerance of 2 grams per lap. Testing days face tighter restrictions to reduce development costs. Aerodynamic device regulations now mirror MotoGP standards, allowing a maximum deflection of 10mm under a 50N vertical load. Each manufacturer or team can use a maximum of two FIM Category 1 certified fuels for the entire season.

WorldSPB Technical Framework

The new WorldSPB class establishes technical rules to balance performance across different motorcycle models. The regulations use engine concession parts, controlled power output through torque-limited engine maps, and minimum weight requirements. This system aims to create close competition between bikes from different manufacturers with varying engine sizes and configurations.

Expected Competitors

Top riders in the 2026 WorldSBK field include Toprak Razgatlıoğlu riding for ROKiT BMW. The Aruba.it Ducati squad features Nicolo Bulega and Álvaro Bautista. The bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team fields Alex Lowes and Axel Bassani. Other notable riders include Scott Redding, Andrea Iannone, Danilo Petrucci, Sam Lowes, and Yari Montella, who was the 2024 WorldSSP runner-up.

Circuit History

Motorsport activity at Phillip Island began in 1928 with the "100 Miles Road Race," which later became known as the first Australian Grand Prix. A permanent racing track opened in 1952. The current circuit layout dates from a 1988 refurbishment that reduced the track to its present 4.445 km length.

Phillip Island hosted its first WorldSBK round in 1990, taking over from Oran Park Raceway. The circuit has been a permanent fixture on the calendar since then, hosting more rounds than any other venue in the series. Australian riders Peter Goddard and Rob Phillis achieved early WorldSBK victories at Phillip Island in 1990.

Notable Records and Facts

The WorldSBK lap record at Phillip Island stands at 1'28.511, set by Toprak Razgatlioglu. The outright motorcycle lap record is 1'27.765, held by Marc Marquez from MotoGP. The closest finish in WorldSBK history occurred at Phillip Island in 2010, when Leon Haslam won by just 0.004 seconds. Max Biaggi recorded the fastest top speed at the circuit, reaching 324.6 kph in 2012.

The circuit location near the coast creates unique conditions. Weather can change rapidly, with conditions varying significantly during race events. Bird strikes occur regularly during races due to the coastal environment. Phillip Island is also known for its penguin population and other wildlife.

The circuit's visitor center features an exhibition of racing vehicles. A go-kart track replicates the layout of the main circuit, allowing visitors to experience a scaled version of the grand prix track.

What Makes Phillip Island Special

Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit combines challenging racing with stunning natural surroundings. The coastal location provides ocean views from various points around the track. The high-speed nature of the circuit, with its fast corners and long straights, tests rider skill and motorcycle performance. The track surface and layout consistently produce close racing across all classes.

The venue has hosted more WorldSBK rounds than any other circuit, establishing a deep connection with the championship. Australian fans have strong support for their local riders, creating a distinctive atmosphere at the event. The 2026 wsbk round at Phillip Island continues this tradition, bringing international competition to this celebrated Australian venue.