Black Dog Ride, the organisation whose members board their motorbikes and do incredible grass-roots work in our community promoting better mental health for all Australians, has been appointed the Official Charity of February 23-25’s opening round of the 2018 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship at Phillip Island, sponsored by Yamaha Finance.
To celebrate their involvement, Black Dog Ride will host a two day ride to the island through regional Victoria with a stop in Melbourne – with even Troy Corser joining for a leg of the tour – followed by three days at the world superbikes featuring an agenda packed with special privileges for Black Dog riders.
Anyone with their own road-registered bike can join the Black Dog Ride with details at www.blackdogride.com.au or email registrations@blackdogride.com.au for further information. Click here to view the tour route
Kicking off at the Benalla Rose Garden in central Victoria at 8am on Wednesday February 21, travel is through Shepparton, Bendigo and Ballarat to Melbourne for a Wednesday night stopover.
Thursday February 22 will see the Black Dog Ride crew joined by Australian world superbike legend, Troy Corser for a Melbourne early morning departure. They will travel together to Cranbourne for a stop, before taking various routes through the Gippsland region for a Phillip Island circuit arrival on Thursday afternoon for three days at the world supers from Friday to Sunday, February 23-25.
Once at the circuit, the Black Dog Riders will be treated to some money-can’t-buy experiences to make this five day getaway a true bucket list experience to be shared with friends who all love bikes.
Thursday late will see the first Black Dog Ride “special” of the weekend. All riders who completed the two day trek will be treated to an unheard opportunity on an international race weekend, to parade the circuit on their treasured motorcycles. Bikes must be in tip top condition with absolutely no oil leaks, because early the next morning the world’s leading superbike riders will take ownership of the track and it needs to be in mint condition for their 300kph high-speed antics.
Friday’s agenda includes plenty of action on track as the world classes and national categories unveil their teams for 2018 in first practice and qualifying plus a special Black Dog Ride Friday night Welcome dinner with superbike stars of today and yesterday in attendance.
Saturday and Sunday is back to back qualifying and racing from world superbike, world supersport and the four national support classes, including the return to the track of veteran, three-times world superbike champion, Troy Bayliss, for his tilt at an elusive ASBK title.
Black Dog Riders will also enjoy their own competition with a Go-Kart Competition planned on the replica Phillip Island go-kart track for riders who took part in the mid-week two day ride.
Black Dog Ride members will also be at the Motorcycle Expo talking to race fans about their work and highlighting that life can sometimes be a little like a motorcycle race with ups and downs, wins and losses and how to navigate the journey when the road gets tough.
“We are thrilled to be involved with the world superbike championship and we look forward to meeting fans and sharing the experience of riding and racing together at the island
Community and friendship is so important in life, and events like world supers allow us all to come together sharing a common love of motorcycles. Racing is exhilarating to watch and for many of us a trip to Phillip Island will tick off a bucket list experience we have long dreamt about.
At Black Dog Ride we love talking and keeping conversations going and we are keen for people to know that help is at hand, if life is getting tough.
I can promise a great five days for anyone who registers for the Black Dog Ride from Benalla to the island. We’ll enjoy the freedom of a few days away on our bikes, immersed in motorcycles, and once we get to the island great racing and a weekend of special moments with the superbike riders and our friends.”
Said Black Dog Ride’s CEO, David Peach.
Anyone with a road-registered bike capable of making the trip from Benalla to Phillip Island, can register for the Black Dog Ride to the World Superbikes at Phillip Island. There are two categories of tickets – Gold and Silver. Both include free Paddock Access for three days, the parade of the circuit and the Welcome BBQ Dinner plus a Souvenir Patch and Lapel Pin.
The Silver category carries a three day General Admission ticket; while a Gold category ticket allows access to Bar SBK facilities at Doohan Corner, Lukey Heights and Siberia.
Accommodation is additional. Black Dog Riders can elect accommodation options on-line when registering, with on-circuit camping in a specially designated Black Dog Rider area above the circuit’s Southern Loop the most affordable. There are also motel, hotel and apartment options in Benalla, Melbourne and Cowes to choose from, to ensure riders enjoy a comfy bed each night.
To register go to www.blackdogride.com.au or email registrations@blackdogride.com.au for further information. Click here to view the tour route
SUMMARY OF ACTIVITY |
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| Wednesday 21st February |
Gather in Benalla Rose Garden for 8am kick off on a relaxed loop through Shepparton, Bendigo, and Ballarat to Melbourne Overnight: Melbourne and a meet-up with BDR riders |
| Thursday 22nd February |
Melbourne to Cranbourne and through Gippsland to Phillip Island We’ve organised a Black Dog Ride special, an unheard-of opportunity on an international race weekend. All registered BDR riders will parade the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, the very track that the world’s great racers will compete on over the next three days. Parade time around 6pm with a special escort from Troy Corser and co. Overnight for next four nights: Phillip Island – Join us at our special Black Dog Ride campground, on circuit, or stay in Cowes |
| Friday 23rd February |
With our BDR World Superbike pass, you’re set for three days of world class action viewed from the circuit’s unbelievable vantage points – from the thrill of Lukey Heights to the far-flung Siberia to the high speed Gardner Straight. PLUS your three day pass gives you FREE Paddock Access so you’ll experience the Paddock Show, the media conferences, the autograph sessions LIVE at the Island. A Black Dog Ride special – A catered BBQ welcome at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit with special guests from the superbike community |
| Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th February |
Mega days of action on track from World Superbikes with three- times world Champion Jonathan Rea ready to face his foes for 2018; World Supersport; and three Australian classes including the debut of veteran Troy Bayliss in ASBK A Black Dog Ride special – Sign up for the inaugural Black Dog Ride Go Kart championship at the Phillip Island Go Karts |
Photo Credit: Keoghvision Photography
Nothing Beats World Superbikes Live At The Island
World Superbikes is super affordable with a 3 Day General Admission ticket just $120^. In an absolute first for World Superbikes at the Island, all 3 Day ticket holders in 2018 gain FREE Paddock access.
Add camping at the circuit campground for up to four nights, and you’ve the perfect location for a summer long weekend away with your mates or family.
Step it up a notch in Bar SBK for only $260 and capture all of the exhilarating action from the circuit’s optimum viewing locations or opt for a VIP Hospitality package.
And as always with World Superbikes Kids 15 & under are FREE**
Nothing beats World Superbikes…Live At The Island.
Book your tickets for the 2018 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, Yamaha Finance Round, Phillip Island, February 23 – 25 2018.
Book Your 2018 World Superbike Tickets Here
