Phillip Island Paddock Pass

shaunna · Mar 2, 2016

Hi All,

I currently have a three day pass in one of the Grand stands at Phillip Island and am possibly looking at getting a paddock pass for the Friday and the Saturday.

Has anyone here had a paddock pass before at Phillip Island? Did you find it was worth the extra $$? Did you actually come close to any of the riders?

Thanks all

Dr No · Mar 2, 2016

Yeah. You get close to the riders. For the brief appearances they make stomping from the garage to the portacabins. All you usually hear is some flog doing a man-squeal and "people" chasing that squeal in the hope in was related to some bloke wearing leathers.
Though sometimes in the afternoon, some of the more sociable guys will come out rollerdoors for photos.
I didn't actually know you could buy paddock passes for PI....

shaunna · Mar 2, 2016

Yeah they aren't advertised on the website for some reason - I had to email them directly to ask. Still umming and ahing about it

Friday - $60
Saturday - $110
Sunday - $160
Three Day Pass - $235

Shanstar8 · Sep 15, 2016

I'm searching desperately for 2 x Paddock passes for Phillip Island this year. Anyone know where I can find some? I was late, didn't think I could make it this year but have general admission only and want to get at least close to some bikes

Jumkie · Sep 16, 2016

Shan, PM our member Shovelhead. He has contacts.

Shauna, best time to get up close to the riders (who am I kidding, I know you're just looking for Ross) is Friday. Least amount of people, riders are most "relaxed" of the 3 days. It's a waste to get paddock on Sunday. I've never been to Oz, but I can't imagine it's different than any other race weekend.

If you live in a glass house, don't throw rocks.

Gaz · Sep 16, 2016

Jumkie said:
Shan, PM our member Shovelhead. He has contacts.

Shauna, best time to get up close to the riders (who am I kidding, I know you're just looking for Ross) is Friday. Least amount of people, riders are most "relaxed" of the 3 days. It's a waste to get paddock on Sunday. I've never been to Oz, but I can't imagine it's different than any other race weekend.

If you live in a glass house, don't throw rocks.

Jums, at the Island you will also see many of the riders in and around town on the Friday/Saturday nights (well you used to, not sure if they now stay in Melbourne).

It may not be the Rossi etc anymore in town but many of the field generally just hang around in town.

shovelhead · Sep 16, 2016

Actually the absolute best time in the paddock to interact with the riders are the Thursdays.
From Friday morning... It's game on and it's all business.

lil red rocket pilot · Sep 18, 2016

shovelhead said:
Actually the absolute best time in the paddock to interact with the riders are the Thursdays.
From Friday morning... It's game on and it's all business.

You knows it

frizzle · Sep 21, 2016

If you want to get up close to riders then go to Superbikes in February instead. Much better value as far as being in the paddock goes.

shaunna · Sep 22, 2016

Thanks all

I ended up just getting the pass for Friday.

Friday: Pitlane Walk (I'm a Riders United member) and Paddock pass (excuse the ignorance, but what actually is the difference between the two as I thought they were the same thing haha)

Also have a main straight walk on Sunday

so am looking forward to it, hoping to get some good photos

Arrabbiata1 · Sep 22, 2016

shaunna said:
Thanks all

I ended up just getting the pass for Friday.

Friday: Pitlane Walk (I'm a Riders United member) and Paddock pass (excuse the ignorance, but what actually is the difference between the two as I thought they were the same thing haha)

A paddock pass is precisely that - access to the paddock complex, however it does not for obvious reason automatically grant access to the pit lane where members of the general public sauntering in and out unchecked could spell catastrophe. The exception being, if you attend a race with Jumkie, who could blag his way into President Putin's pedicure parlour in the innermost bowels of the Kremlin. Also, if this is your first time in the paddock do be wary of scooters belonging to race crews, press, ancillary staff and riders which dart about silently, weave through the crowds believing that you are aware of their presence - it can be busier and more hazardous than turn one at Misano.

Dr No · Sep 23, 2016

Arrabbiata1 said:
A paddock pass is precisely that - access to the paddock complex, however it does not for obvious reason automatically grant access to the pit lane where members of the general public sauntering in and out unchecked could spell catastrophe. The exception being, if you attend a race with Jumkie, who could blag his way into President Putin's pedicure parlour in the innermost bowels of the Kremlin. Also, if this is your first time in the paddock do be wary of scooters belonging to race crews, press, ancillary staff and riders which dart about silently, weave through the crowds believing that you are aware of their presence - it can be busier and more hazardous than turn one at Misano.

Errr. It's PI. It ain't that busy. It will have one coffee stand on the tarmac behind the garage and a conspicuous dearth of hospitality suites.
The view to the garages from the paddock area will afford you a picturesque view of some roller doors, which rarely open until packing up time.
If you wander down to the cheapie area (poor Moto2/3 teams) you will enjoy the sight of high tech marquees with a glimpse of a bike inside.
I dunno if the pass lets you onto the roof area (where the corporate ..... and journos (I repeat myself) reside) but there's some good views from there.
The pitwalk will allow you to stroll at your own pace along the pit area, while the bikes are displayed in photo friendly positions within the garages. And the technicians will be on hand to happily explain tidbits of MotoGP lore. In no way will will be in a throng, asked to move on with a grumpy dude in overalls impatiently collecting the barrier tape that has constricted your movements...
But on a serious note:
Have fun!

Arrabbiata1 · Sep 23, 2016

Dr No said:
Errr. It's PI. It ain't that busy.

It's the MotoGP circus, it's always busy - and as someone pointed out it gets serious and intense from Friday onwards. Though I base my comments on frenetic European paddocks from what I gather, please correct me if I am wrong, PI is not as spacious and my observations about scooters blatting around is perfectly valid if it's your first time in a paddock. . I've never been to PI - and you have, but I'd I'd say the same for a club meet at Knockhill.

AJV80 · Sep 23, 2016

Arrabbiata1 said:
It's the MotoGP circus, it's always busy - and as someone pointed out it gets serious and intense from Friday onwards. Though I base my comments on frenetic European paddocks from what I gather, please correct me if I am wrong, PI is not as spacious and my observations about scooters blatting around is perfectly valid if it's your first time in a paddock. . I've never been to PI - and you have, but I'd I'd say the same for a club meet at Knockhill.

Ive been in the paddock areas at PI on Fri, Sat and Sun with a media pass. Its busy on all days, depends on the time of day as to how many people are in there, but there are always people in there.

Arrabbiata1 · Sep 23, 2016

AJV80 said:
Ive been in the paddock areas at PI on Fri, Sat and Sun with a media pass. Its busy on all days, depends on the time of day as to how many people are in there, but there are always people in there.

Precisely. It's MotoGP and the personnel alone are on a mission from the moment the tail lift drops on the first artic.

I've been in the paddock at Croft at a classic meet attracting an ice cream van, one man, a camping chair and his dog, and I've still been wary about errant scooters - you can't hear them coming.

Gaz · Sep 23, 2016

Arrabbiata1 said:
It's the MotoGP circus, it's always busy - and as someone pointed out it gets serious and intense from Friday onwards. Though I base my comments on frenetic European paddocks from what I gather, please correct me if I am wrong, PI is not as spacious and my observations about scooters blatting around is perfectly valid if it's your first time in a paddock. . I've never been to PI - and you have, but I'd I'd say the same for a club meet at Knockhill.

Ah Arrib, you will just have to make the trip and see for yourself .............. then stay for the usual post MGP track days

Arrabbiata1 · Sep 23, 2016

Gaz said:
Ah Arrib, you will just have to make the trip and see for yourself .............. then stay for the usual post MGP track days

Every bike racing fan with the means to must undertake the Hajj -the pilgrimage to the island - at least once in their life time.

Phillip Island Paddock Pass

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