2018 Asia Road Racing Championship Australian Round announced

New South Australian motor racing circuit, "The Bend" at Tailem Bend has secured it's first international motorcycling event, the FIA ARRC

The Bend secures round of 2018 Asia Road Racing Championship


THE Bend will host a round of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship in a double-bill with the Australian Superbike Championship in 2018.
THE Bend will host a round of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship in a double-bill with the Australian Superbike Championship in 2018.
Locked in for April 19-22, the brand-new South Australian circuit will hold the event on the same 4.95km International Circuit layout to be used by Supercars in August, and comes a week after the Shannons Nationals championship christens the circuit for motor racing.
The ARRC is emerging as one of the key developmental championships that will develop the MotoGP and Superbike World Championship stars of the future from the Asian region, with next year’s event the first of a two-year deal that will bring the championship to our shores.
“This will be the first time the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship has come to Australia, bringing our nation into the Asian competition that currently hosts rounds in Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, and India,” South Australian minister for tourism Leon Bignell said.
“When you combine ARRC with a round of the Australian Superbike Championship it creates a 4 day Australasian moto extravaganza that is expected to attract more than 30,000 people to the Murraylands tourism region and inject over $7 million into the South Australian economy.”
Bringing the ARRC to Australia has been a long-term project for Motorcycling Australia and a key part of its plan to regenerate motorcycle racing in Australia.
“Bringing the ARRC to Australia is something that has been in MA’s plans since 2014 and to finally get them is a huge boost for our ASBK championship,” Motorcycling Australia CEO Peter Doyle said.
“A lot of work has gone on behind the scenes and this has just topped off what was a great 2017 season for ASBK as we reached new levels with audiences via attendance, Television and live streaming.”
Three-time WSBK champion Troy Bayliss and rising Australian star Daniel Falzon were on hand for the launch, Bayliss citing the championship’s arrival in Australia as a boon to young Australian riders.
“Having Australia join the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship will provide another pathway for Australian riders to compete at an international level which is fantastic for the development of the sport,” Bayliss said.
The brand new, $100 million circuit is the only Australian circuit to have been built to both FIM Category A and FIA Grade 2 standards, and the ARRC is just the first major international event on the radar for the circuit’s owners the Peregrine Corporation.
“We set out to create Australia’s ultimate world-class motorsport facility to attract major new international events,” Dr Sam Shahin, executive director of the Peregrine Corporation, said.
“Securing a double-header combined round of the FIM ARRC with the ASBK Championship coming back to South Australia is proof-positive this new venue is delivering.”
Three of the ARRC championships will make the trip to Australia, with the SuperSports 600cc, Asia Production 250cc and a one-make developmental series joining the burgeoning ASBK on the bill. Tickets will go on sale on December 12 though thebend.com.au.

http://www.news.com.au/sport/motorsport/the-bend-secures-round-of-2018-asia-road-racing-championship/news-story/f6aa9d4cc6ee34d62102ad8f33f14307

The start of many more I hope 

They still have hopes of securing a 2nd Australian round of the Moto GP in the future

Chook wrote:They still have hopes of securing a 2nd Australian round of the Moto GP in the future

As long as they don't steal the first round

madmax wrote:

Chook wrote:They still have hopes of securing a 2nd Australian round of the Moto GP in the future

As long as they don't steal the first round

They don't want to host the Australian Moto GP, something like Australasian Moto GP or similar

Even the arrogant pricks that have built this circuit have respect for another state that brings a major international event down under, pity the same respect wasn't shown re F1

Chook wrote:

madmax wrote:

Chook wrote:They still have hopes of securing a 2nd Australian round of the Moto GP in the future

As long as they don't steal the first round

They don't want to host the Australian Moto GP, something like Australasian Moto GP or similar

Even the arrogant pricks that have built this circuit have respect for another state that brings a major international event down under, pity the same respect wasn't shown re F1

You can blame your own pollies for that
http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-13/south-australia-has-itself-to-blame-for-losing-grand-prix/6279660

   There was more to it than that but yes, the SA pollies certainly weren't blameless

Vic also thought they could take a hugely successful event and make it better, I can't personally compare the 2 (The whole SA event was awesome, as is the current 500) but feedback from those that have attended both including media personalities, former drivers, spectators including Victorians that made the pilgrimage every year would suggest at best the Melbourne event has been moderately successful and seriously lacking the atmosphere Adelaide had.

In all honesty I think it was a blessing in disguise for SA, the cost of hosting F1 was going through the roof, SA's financial ability to continue to host it would have been harder every year, now we have the Supercar event, the Adelaide 500, while not on the same scale, still a massive party/festival and if you like, more like a Bandit, better bang for your buck

Chook wrote:

madmax wrote:

Chook wrote:They still have hopes of securing a 2nd Australian round of the Moto GP in the future

As long as they don't steal the first round

They don't want to host the Australian Moto GP, something like Australasian Moto GP or similar

Even the arrogant pricks that have built this circuit have respect for another state that brings a major international event down under, pity the same respect wasn't shown re F1

Wow some people need to move on
The Melb event is far more spectacular with a better back drop.
Are shops open in SA on Sundays yet?

Sorry 2wa, I wasn't thinking of you when I went fishing

Chook wrote:Sorry 2wa, I wasn't thinking of you when I went fishing

BTW

Better back drop, possibly, more spectacular, ? I'll let those that have seen both live decide, all the feedback I've heard would suggest otherwise but I guess that's only hearsay

A close mate of mine was telling me just this morning. Although being a Victorian but spent a fair bit of time in Adelaide he felt Adelaide hummed during the F1 week. Can't say the same for Melbourne.
Also I think a lot of Melbournites would like to see the back of it, judging by the attendance figures and the general feeling of the cost of hosting it.

Personally I can't be one to judge, I've been to the Albert Park event once and enjoyed the day, but I've only seen the Adelaide race from the TV perspective.

Tickets now available

https://www.thebend.com.au/events/fim-arrc-asbk-double-header

4 day general admission, $75, 
3 day stand, $149, family $407
Campsite (max 6 people) $50