Jack Miller passionately advocates for Phillip Island’s vital role in the MotoGP calendar

Jack Miller is making a powerful statement about the future of MotoGP in Australia, insisting that Phillip Island “needs to be on the MotoGP calendar.” The clock is ticking as the current contract between the Australian Grand Prix Corporation and the circuit is set to expire at the end of the next season. Amid whispers of MotoGP potentially shifting towards a more accessible mainland venue, a petition has emerged, rallying fans and stakeholders alike to advocate for the iconic circuit’s continued inclusion.

Phillip Island is steeped in history, having first welcomed the then 500cc class back in 1989, where legendary Australian rider Wayne Gardner took the spotlight with a memorable home victory. The circuit has since become a pilgrimage site for fans, especially during Casey Stoner’s reign, when he dominated with six consecutive wins from 2007 to 2012. Now, with Miller as the last Australian representative on the MotoGP grid, the stakes are even higher. He experienced glory at Phillip Island as a Moto3 rider in 2014 and later made waves on the premier-class podium with Ducati in 2019.

In a recent showdown at Phillip Island, Miller captivated his home crowd once again, securing a front-row qualifying position. Although he faced disappointment with a crash during the main event, the Australian fans still had plenty to cheer for, with Joel Kelso finishing second in Moto3 and Senna Agius clinching his first victory in Moto2. Yet, the specter of uncertainty looms over the circuit’s future, prompting Miller to voice his passionate defense.

“I think it’s a fantastic event. I think it needs to be on the calendar, absolutely. You look at the crowd out there,” he declared, highlighting the dedication of fans who travel from across the vast Australian landscape, often journeying from as far away as Western Australia. “They travel far and wide and spend a lot of their money to come to a race. So it means a lot for them to have a race in Australia, and I think Phillip Island is one of the most spectacular circuits on the calendar, as we saw with the racing in all categories. It needs to be on the calendar, and I’m sure it will be.”

This year’s Australian MotoGP event drew an impressive total of 91,245 fans over the weekend, with 37,192 attending on race day alone. However, concerns about weather conditions threatened to derail the festivities, raising the possibility of moving the main GP race to Saturday for the second time in three years. Thankfully, the race proceeded as planned, much to the relief of those present.

Despite the challenges, Phillip Island’s attendance figures stand as a testament to its significance, although it faced stiff competition from other venues. The only circuit with a smaller Sunday crowd this season was Qatar, which saw just 22,565 attendees. Other circuits like Balaton Park, Silverstone, Circuit of the Americas, Motegi, and Austria also struggled to surpass the 50,000 mark for Sunday races.

As the MotoGP community gears up for what could be a pivotal moment in the sport’s Australian chapter, the call from Jack Miller resonates louder than ever—Phillip Island must remain a cornerstone of the MotoGP calendar, both for its rich history and the passionate fans who make the pilgrimage to this stunning venue.