Sam Shahin and the Bend stay quiet about possible Moto GP bid
A decade ago, the billionaire owner of Tailem Bend’s motorsport park declared his interest in hosting an international motorcycle race. Could this be his moment?
This story is now free to read. Help Murray Bridge News tell more stories like this by subscribing today.
Could Tailem Bend host the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix from 2027?
The owners of the Bend Motorsport Park are staying quiet about their suspected interest in the event, following reports that it may need to find a new home next year.
The Australian round of Moto GP, the top level of international motorcycle racing, has been held at Phillip Island, Victoria for most of its 39-year history.
But a contract between the Victorian government and the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme is due to expire after this year’s race.
A report in The Age over the weekend suggested that television rights holder Dorna Sports wanted the grand prix to shift to Albert Park, the raceway in the middle of Melbourne.
Dorna is reportedly more interested in street circuits than purpose-built tracks.
But the impasse has reportedly prompted other venues to make a pitch for the event.
Only one other racetrack in Australia has received the FIM category A certification required to host a Moto GP race, and it’s at Tailem Bend.
FIM safety officer Franco Uncini approved the circuit for top-level racing way back in 2016, before it had even been built.
It is not clear whether the accreditation remains current.
Asked whether the Bend was willing to confirm its current interest in international motorcycle racing, a spokesman told Murray Bridge News the venue would not comment.
“Until there’s something to talk about, there’s nothing to talk about,” he said.
But venue owner Sam Shahin’s interest in two-wheel racing is well established.
Back in 2017, on the day he first announced that a Supercars race would come to Tailem Bend, he openly declared that he hoped to host a Moto GP down the track.
“I’m very excited at the prospect of this world-class facility bringing South Australia a little closer to hosting top-tier national and international events,” he said at the time.
“This is a facility of a very high standard and it is built with that ambition.
“We are ambitious and we’re not going to stop.”
Premier Peter Malinauskas told media on Saturday that he would support any push to secure a Moto GP race for South Australia.
“For some time, we’ve been talking with the Shahin family and their facility at the Bend about the opportunity to have great events up there,” he said.
“I’ve made it clear to Sam Shahin … that we would back him if that opportunity comes.”
The Australian grand prix has only been held on one other circuit since its inception in 1989: the former Eastern Creek Raceway, now Sydney Motorsport Park.
But that venue is not currently accredited to host Moto GP races.
The Bend currently hosts a round of the Australian Superbike Championship, and Moto GP rider Jack Miller even made an appearance there in 2021.
The 2026 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix will be held in October.
In the meantime, negotiations will continue between the FIM, Dorna, the Victorian government and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation.
