Another major motorsports event roars into SA
A global motorcycle championship will make a pit stop in South Australia after it was nabbed from Victoria, with racers in the major sports event reaching up to 340 kilometres an hour.
The ink has dried on a multi-year deal to bring a round of the prestigious FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) to South Australia, the government saying it would bring thousands of visitors and boost the state’s regional economy.
Previously held at Phillip Island in Victoria, the global motorsport championship will now be held at Shell V-Power Motorsport Park at The Bend in Tailem Bend for its 41st season from 2028.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said securing the event “further strengthens the position as Australia’s motorsport capital and will deliver significant economic, tourism and profile benefits across the state, and in particular our regions”.
“With WorldSBK joining MotoGP, the Adelaide 500 and the AirTouch 500 Enduro, this announcement reinforces our commitment to motorsport and reflects our determination to ensure South Australia remains the home of motorsport in this country,” he said.
According to the Premier, the WorldSBK was secured as part of a deal to bring the MotoGP Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix to the Adelaide Street Circuit from 2027.
The announcement that MotoGP would be held in Adelaide has caused controversy in parts of the community, with concerns about potential tree loss, prolonged road closures and Kaurna Native Title holders saying they were not adequately consulted.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said WorldSBK was the world’s premier production-based championship, with competitors racing on heavily modified versions of Yamaha, Ducati, Honda, BMW and Kawasaki superbikes that can reach up to 340 kilometres an hour.
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The Bend will join other iconic venues around the world, spanning Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Oceania and the Americas.
Dr Sam Shahin, who is managing director of the Shell V-Power Motorsport Park, said “securing World SBK is a significant achievement for the Bend”, adding that “today’s announcement marks a historic day for motorsport and for South Australia”.
“This championship is set to bring the top motorcycle manufacturers, teams and riders to South Australia, creating a powerful platform that will showcase our venue, our passionate motorsport community and our state to a global audience,” he said.
Gregorio Lavilla, who is the sporting director of WorldSBK, said that “The Bend is an impressive venue with exceptional facilities and a strong commitment to motorsport”.
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