Casey Stoner competing at Phillip Island. Source: Herald Sun
PHILLIP Island may lose its treasured spot on the MotoGP calendar unless the race is switched to March.
The Australian Grand Prix Corporation and MotoGP organisers appear to be at loggerheads over the timing of the Grand Prix, traditionally held in October.
But this year's wet and wild staging of the event prompted riders, led by seven-time world champion Valentino Rossi, to criticise the spring timeslot, saying the cold weather and fierce winds ruin the spectacle for riders and fans.
Promotions company Dorna, which runs the series, has stated that unless the organisers switch the date the race would not be approved.
Dorna boss Carmelo Ezpeleta said the 2011 GP would go ahead on October 14-16, but from then on the race had to be brought forward.
"It was clear that to move for next year was very complicated," Ezpeleta told motorcyclenews.com.
"We have spoken to them and for next year the calendar will be as the provisional one already printed. We understand because of the short notice, but for 2012 it will be at the beginning of the season.
"It must be at the beginning of the year because I think it is too risky later in the season.
"For 2012 it will be compulsory and the FIM will not homologate the circuit unless the race is at the beginning of the year. There can be no excuses in 2012."
Moving the race to March would add chaos to an already crowded autumn motor racing calendar in Victoria.
Phillip Island hosts a round of the World Superbikes Championship in February, while the Australian Formula One Grand Prix is held at Albert Park in late March.
AGPC boss Andrew Westacott said a March date would cause problems for organisers, but he was confident the date would remain unchanged.
"There's a contract that Dorna have got that exists with us that says the race will be in September-October until 2016," Westacott said.
"Carmelo has been suggesting this on and off, but we've never had a delayed race, never had a cancelled race.
"The vagaries of the weather exist all around the place at various times of the year.
"It's not as easy as saying we'll just slot it in in March.
"Marshals and emergency services would also be doing potentially World Superbikes (in February), MotoGP testing at Phillip Island and the Formula One event."
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