Phillip Island set to host MotoGP until 2011/Turkish round replaces Brazil on calenda

[Bob]

Phillip Island is set to host the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix until at least 2011.

"The Government is looking at least at a five-year extension and I have had discussions about going forwards to 2011 and beyond with Carmelo Ezpeleta (chief executive officer of Dorna)," Mr Pandazopoulos, tourism minister for Victoria told reporters.

The current contract with Dorna, the international rights holder for MotoGP, expires in 2006.

Meanwhile, Rio de Janeiro has been removed from the MotoGP calendar, to be replaced with a round in Turkey. The International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) said the decision to drop the Brazil round was due to a lack of signed contracts.

The race, which was due to take place on 17 April, will now go ahead at the newly-built circuit on the outskirts of Istanbul on 23 October.

The Portuguese Grand Prix has also moved from 30 October to 17 April.

[wari]

COol banananas ...

[LB]

Great news re Phillip Island - I've only just discovered it, so am pleased I will be able to go for at least another six years.