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Local Businessman Wants South Australia Tailem Bend Circuit in MotoGP

An Australian businessman by the name of Sam Shahin is trying to bring MotoGP to the Tailem Bend Circuit in the state of South Australia. The Tailem Bend Circuit is located about 100 km (62 miles) south-east of the state capital Adelaide and its supporter is making efforts to obtain the necessary FIM certifications for becoming eligible to host a Gran Prix round.
Will we have a new Australian MotoGP round at Tailem Bend? 1 photo
Photo: wikipedia
If Shahin's efforts are successful, the Tailem Bend would be one of the longest circuits to host a MotoGP race. With a length of 7.2 km (4.47 miles), Tailem Bend Circuit might become a venue to host both MotoGP and Australian V8 competitions, even though the homologation for the two comes from two governing bodies.

On one hand, the Tailem Bend Circuit must meet the FIA Category 2 requirements for hosting V8 car races, whereas MotoGP races need A level grading from the FIM. With the upgrades that are envisaged for the Tailem Bend, the circuit would become a part of a larger complex, the SA Motorsport Park.

The management of the circuit also wants to obtain licensing to conduct all types of FIA and FIM motorsport events, except Formula 1

Things have been set in motion, and FIM's Franco Uncini has already visited Tailem Bend, as is customary with any circuit that aspires to MotoGP fame.

However, more than V8 and MotoGP races are expected to take place at the future SA Motorsport Park. License to host all types of motorsport races sanctioned by the FIM and the FIA is the big plan, with the sole exception being Formula 1.

Uncini is expected to complete his report on safety and make further recommendations for Tailem Bend, and his first words after his survey were "in general the circuit is very safe and very exciting," gpextra reports. It remains to be seen what "in general" means for him.

Phillip Island has a standing contract with Dorna until the end of 2016, and the management of Tailem Bend hopes to take its place in the MotoGP calendar, or even convince Dorna that staging two Australian rounds is a lucrative idea.

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