Phillip Island says farewell to MotoGP as final race weekend begins

Locals balance celebration and economic anxiety after Victoria loses the event to South Australia

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published24 October 2026

Read Time3 min

Sources3 outlets

This weekend marks the last MotoGP race at Phillip Island after a three-decade run, ending when Victoria lost the event to South Australia earlier this year. Business owners and residents are balancing a bittersweet farewell with concern over the economic hole the departure will leave.

The final race weekend has brought a mix of grief and joy to Phillip Island, as rev heads and tourists cross the San Remo Bridge into town. Souvenir shops are selling shirts reading "The Final Roar – Phillip Island" and a mural greets visitors with "Thank you Phillip Island."

Rosa Scarlato, owner of Pino's Trattoria in Cowes, has hosted riders and teams for 35 years. "I'm not happy it's going, but we had beautiful days, good memories and good nights spent together, laughing, and nobody can take away the enjoyment we have had for the last 35 years," she told this masthead. "Nobody can beat Phillip Island."

The news came in February that Victoria had lost its MotoGP contract to South Australia. The state government refused Dorna Sports' request to move the event to Melbourne's Albert Park. Sport and Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos said, "We could have kept it in Victoria, if we sold out Phillip Island. We were never willing to sell out Phillip Island, or impose further on the Albert Park community, or to compromise the F1 [race]."

Courtney Debono, co-owner of The Store, said the economic hit was immense. "Not only does MotoGP bring local employment these weekends for night venues, but also the accommodation. A lot of places really rely on this weekend." Destination Phillip Island chief executive Kim Storey said there was "absolute devastation" when the news broke, and called for a long term recovery strategy.

Last week, Victorian Major Events Minister Anthony Carbines announced Supercars would return to Phillip Island on a five year deal, the first time since 2019. The announcement drew mixed reactions. Scarlato said Supercars were "nothing compared to the Motor GP" and lacked the international draw. Debono said, "Nothing will ever live up to MotoGP." Storey was more optimistic, calling it an opportunity to tell a new story.

Sharon Carlyle, a fan from Queensland's Sunshine Coast who has made the six day journey for five years, said the move to a street circuit in Adelaide meant she might not attend again.

Victorian Historic Racing Register volunteer Peter Donald noted the expansion of the Festival of Motorsport and addition of Supercars could help spread economic impact across the year.

Scarlato's children have designed a special menu and T shirts to mark the occasion. "I think life must go on," she said. "If the government wants this, what can we do?"

Analysis

Why This Matters

Phillip Island's economy relies heavily on the October MotoGP influx; its loss threatens local jobs and business revenue across accommodation, hospitality and retail.
The event provided global exposure for regional Victoria; replacing that promotional platform will be difficult.
The transition to a street race in Adelaide and the return of Supercars mark a significant shift in Australia's motorsport calendar.

Background

MotoGP returned to Phillip Island in 1997, building a decades long connection with the community and international fans. After months of tense negotiations, Dorna Sports sought to move the event to Melbourne's Albert Park circuit. The Victorian government refused, citing unwillingness to sell out Phillip Island or compromise the Formula 1 grand prix. The contract was lost to South Australia, which will host a street race in Adelaide from next year. Last week, the government announced a five year Supercars deal for Phillip Island, the first since 2019.

Key Perspectives

Rosa Scarlato (owner, Pino's Trattoria): says she is unhappy the event is leaving but values the memories; she calls Supercars a poor replacement with less international appeal. Courtney Debono (co-owner, The Store): says the economic hit to the community is immense and that Supercars cannot replace MotoGP. Kim Storey (CEO, Destination Phillip Island): describes devastation at the loss and calls for a long term recovery strategy; she sees the Supercars return as an opportunity. Sharon Carlyle (fan from Queensland): says the move to a street circuit in Adelaide may stop her attending; she prefers Phillip Island's many vantage points. Steve Dimopoulos (Sport and Major Events Minister): says the government refused to move the race from Phillip Island and would not sell out the island or Albert Park. Peter Donald (volunteer, Victorian Historic Racing Register): says the Supercars deal and expanded Festival of Motorsport could spread economic benefits across the year.

What to Watch

Whether the Supercars five year deal delivers enough visitor numbers and revenue to offset MotoGP's loss.
Any additional events the state government or Destination Phillip Island announce as part of a broader recovery strategy.
Fan attendance at the Adelaide street circuit in its first year and its impact on the sport's Australian following.

Sources

‘Nothing will ever live up to it’: Phillip Island prepares for life after MotoGP · Brisbane Times
‘Nothing will ever live up to it’: Phillip Island prepares for life after MotoGP · WAtoday
‘Nothing will ever live up to it’: Phillip Island prepares for life after MotoGP · The Sydney Morning Herald

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedPhillip Island is holding its final MotoGP race weekend.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “But this weekend will be the last.”
SupportedThe MotoGP’s departure ends a three-decade connection to Phillip Island.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Victoria had lost its MotoGP race to South Australia, ending a three-decades long connection to Phillip Island”
Partly supportedVictoria lost the event in February.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “The news came in mid-February that Victoria had lost its MotoGP race to South Australia”
Partly supportedScarlato has hosted riders and teams at her restaurant for 35 years.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Her clientele includes some of the sport’s most famous riders and teams who traditionally dine at her restaurant every year before the race”
SupportedScarlato said, “I'm not happy it's going, but we had beautiful days, good memories and good nights spent together, laughing, and nobody can take away the enjoyment we have had for the last 35 years.”Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““I’m not happy it’s going, but we had beautiful days, good memories and good nights spent together, laughing, and nobody can take away the enjoyment we have had for the last 35 years,” Scarlato told this masthead.”
SupportedThe state government refused Dorna Sports’ request to move the event to Melbourne’s Albert Park.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Sport and Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos confirmed the government would not budge on the event organiser’s request to move to Melbourne’s Albert Park”
SupportedDimopoulos said, “We could have kept it in Victoria, if we sold out Phillip Island. We were never willing to sell out Phillip Island, or impose further on the Albert Park community, or to compromise the F1 [race].”Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““We could have kept it in Victoria, if we sold out Phillip Island,” Dimopoulos said at the time. “We were never willing to sell out Phillip Island, or impose further on the Albert Park community, or to compromise the F1 [race].””
SupportedDebono said, “Not only does MotoGP bring local employment these weekends for night venues, but also the accommodation. A lot of places really rely on this weekend.”Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““Not only does MotoGP bring local employment these weekends for night venues, but also the accommodation,” Debono said. “A lot of places really rely on this weekend.””
SupportedSupercars will return to Phillip Island on a five-year deal, the first time since 2019.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Last week Victorian Major Events Minister Anthony Carbines announced Supercars would return to Phillip Island on a five-year-deal. It will be the first time since 2019 that the island has hosted the Supercars championship.”
SupportedThe Supercars announcement drew mixed reactions.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “However, the announcement has been met with mixed reactions from Phillip Island business owners and fans.”
SupportedScarlato said Supercars were “nothing compared to the Motor GP” and lacked the same international interest.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Scarlato admitted Supercars were “nothing compared to the Motor GP” and would not have the same level of international interest.”
SupportedCarlyle said the move to Adelaide might mean she would not attend again.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Sharon Carlyle has made the six-day motorcycle journey from Queensland’s Sunshine Coast to Phillip Island for the past five years and said the move to Adelaide means she might not attend again.”