July 3, 2001

The Qantas Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix will have a new big-picture look this year, with the introduction of seven giant super screens to further enhance viewing at what is already widely regarded as the world’s best track for two-wheel racing — Phillip Island, Victoria.

A special Speed Comparison between three very different machines, to be ridden by three men with seventeen 500cc Grand Prix wins between them, is another new feature of the event.

A family ticket has also been introduced for this year’s Grand Prix, to be held on October 12-14.

The General Admission family tickets will allow two adults and two children 15 years and under, or one adult and three children 15 years and under, to attend the Grand Prix for the same cost as two adult General Admission tickets.

All other tickets for the Qantas Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix are the same price as in 2000.

And, in a special bonus, buyers of four season (three-day) General Admission or Grandstand tickets to the Grand Prix before 5pm on Sunday, July 15, will get a fifth ticket free.

Before the event gets underway in October the man whose world championship in 1987 was the catalyst for 500cc racing coming to Australia, and who then won those memorable first two 500cc races at Phillip Island, will lead a new interstate pilgrimage — the "Ride to the GP with Wayne Gardner".

The Ride will start in the Wollongong Whiz’s hometown on Wednesday, October 10, with an overnight stop at Eden on the southern New South Wales Coast. Next day lunch at Morwell in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley, and then on to the Island for a welcome barbecue at the Grand Prix circuit’s Visitors’ Centre and Museum. Like five-times World Champion and 1998 winner of the 500cc race at the Island, Mick Doohan, the Whiz has become an ambassador for the Qantas Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

"There are a lot of new things about the Qantas Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix in 2001 — and we believe they will all prove of great benefit to the event," Australian Grand Prix Corporation Chief Executive John Harnden said.

"The super screens will add a whole new perspective to viewing the Grand Prix and should be greatly appreciated by the fans.

All grandstands and many General Admission areas will have superscreen views.

The MotoGP Speed Comparison will pit a 500cc GP Yamaha, a 748R Ducati and a Honda VTR250 against each other each day in a one-lap handicap sprint similar to what we did with the Formula One Speed Comparison in Melbourne in March.

Randy Mamola will ride the 500cc Yamaha, Kevin Magee the 748R and Daryl Beattie the VTR250.

"Those guys won seventeen 500cc GPs between them, so they know what it is all about — and the Speed Comparison is sure to bring out all their competitive spirits again."

Randy will also be riding the Yamaha YZR500 two-seater at the Grand Prix again this year, and this time his passengers will be mainly fans.

The introduction of the family ticket is obviously a great way for families to enjoy the event. As the family tickets allow for two adults — irrespective of sex - and two children, the tickets could also be used, for example, by two fathers with two sons.

"The bonus offer of one free ticket for four General Admission or Grandstand tickets bought by July 15, and the holding of prices at last year’s levels, should also prove attractive to fans.

The theme we’ve chosen for this year’s Qantas Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix is ‘You Can’t Beat the World’s Best’. "We believe that is very appropriate and we’re very confident in the product we have. You only need reflect on last year’s racing at the Grand Prix, in all three of the international categories, to see the strength of the product."

The quality of the racing in the world championship rounds so far has been excellent again. The Valentino Rossi-Max Biaggi tussle for the 500c title is captivating. Australia’s Garry McCoy should be back in with a big chance of some strong results, especially at Phillip Island, in the second half of the season after his wrist injury has healed.

A couple of other things we are really excited about this year are the ‘Ride to the GP with Wayne Gardner’ and the addition of Australian Production Superbikes to the National Support race program. Wayne Gardner is a favourite icon in this sport and the memories of his 1989 and ’90 victories at Phillip Island remain strong. He is really enthusiastic about leading the Ride from Wollongong to the event — and about becoming an ambassador for the Grand Prix. We’re delighted that Wayne is throwing himself into these new roles so whole-heartedly.

The Superbikes not only add more quality racing to our event program, but importantly give us a third support category, meaning more racing for the fans — which is what we believe they want.

"All in all, we’re very happy with the package we’ve put together for October 12-14 and are confident it is the formula for another great Grand Prix."