SCHWANTZ’S PHILLIP ISLAND REGRET: TWO STARTS, NO FINISHES

Kevin Schwantz says his one regret from a distinguished 500cc career is that he never completed an Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island. The American will return to the circuit for its farewell appearance on the MotoGP calendar in 2026, but admits the memories may make it difficult to simply enjoy the occasion.

“I’m going to Australia,” Schwantz said on the Racing Back podcast. “If I have any regrets, it’s the fact that I raced at Phillip Island twice and on both race weekends, I didn’t finish a complete Grand Prix.”

His two visits as a 500cc rider ended in crashes. In 1989, after taking pole for the first Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island, Schwantz lost the lead to Wayne Rainey and crashed at Lukey Heights. He recalled being “too antsy too early on a Michelin tyre”. The incident left home favourite Wayne Gardner free to battle Rainey for victory, eventually beating him by 0.350 seconds. Christian Sarron finished third, 0.470 seconds behind the winner.

Schwantz’s second chance ended on the final lap in 1990. He crashed at the first turn while trying to keep up with Gardner, who was again fighting for the win, this time against Honda teammate Mick Doohan. “I’ll be damned if I’m going to watch Wayne Gardner win this thing again!” Schwantz remembered thinking. Gardner held off Doohan by 0.856 seconds.

“So, I never completed a whole Grand Prix in two attempts at Phillip Island,” Schwantz said. “It’s going to be hard to make fun out of being there, but what a great venue. What a great track.”

The Australian Grand Prix moved from Phillip Island to Eastern Creek after its 1989 debut and remained there through 1996. Schwantz did win the Australian round at Eastern Creek in 1993, beating Rainey by 3.118 seconds as he began his only 500cc world championship campaign. He ultimately claimed the title with Suzuki, finishing 34 points ahead of Rainey, whose career ended after a spinal injury.

Phillip Island regained the Australian Grand Prix in 1997 and is scheduled to host it for the final time in 2026. From 2027, the race is due to move to a street circuit in Adelaide, subject to final ratification. Schwantz’s return will therefore coincide with the end of the venue’s long run on the calendar—and a chance to revisit the two races that left his sole career regret unresolved.