MotoGP's busy month: four October meets

(AFP PHOTO / TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA)

With only five races to go until the conclusion of 2010's MotoGP season, October finds itself accommodating four of them in the run-up to a climactic final showdown in Valencia, Spain. Regional race locations spell good news in particular for motorsport fans in Asia and Oceania, especially given that Formula One is visiting the region at the same time.

Starting with the Japanese MotoGP at Motogi's Twin Ring on October 3, attentions turn to the Sepang International Circuit for the October 10 Malaysian GP, followed by the Australian event on Phillip Island (not too far from Melbourne) on October 17, before finally decamping to Portugal for the penultimate race at Estoril on the 31st.

With the Japanese Formula One GP on October 10 at Suzuka, and Korea accommodating F1's stars for October 24, Japanese race fans could even set themselves up for two weekends of hot gasoline-burning action.

Though the MotoGP ticketing service won't be selling passes for the Motogi stage on the eve of race weekend (Oct 1-3), it does offer an online video broadcast package. Those without local television coverage may want to consider using a €19.95 Monthly Subscription to take them up to the end of October, before plumping for a €2.99 24hr pass in order to catch Valencia's prime-time action.

Alternatively, the Twin Ring's Japanese-language site can be used to purchase tickets, which run from Y15,000 to Y21,000 (€132-185) for any remaining seats on race day (less for children or for practice and qualifying on the Friday and Saturday).

Passes for the 20th Malaysian GP at Sepang, near Kuala Lumpur, are between 60RM and 100RM (€14-24). Naturally, VIP passes, holiday packages, and paddock tours are also on sale, as is standard practice at top-tier motorsport events.

Phillip Island welcomes spectators from $90AUD (€64) on race day (discounts available), or $150AUD (€106) for a 3-day pass. There are also family tickets that admit two adults and two juniors or one adult with three juniors for $300AUD (€212). Grandstand seats for the race weekend are $265AUD (€188).

Finally, Portugal's asphalt-melting antics at the Autódromo do Estoril are available from €30 for the cheapest general admission 3-day ticket up to €124 for the same in Grandstand A, or €117 for an identical seat on race day only.

The Japanese GP starts at 9:40am local time (BST +8), Malaysia and Australia at 11:40 (BST +7 and +10 respectively), and Portugal at 9:30am (GMT +1). Don't forget to set your clocks back on Sunday, October 31 if your country is subject to daylight saving changes.

More information about ticketing at all four events are available from the MotoGP website, or the individual circuit websites.

Japanese MotoGP: http://www.twinring.jp/motogp
Malaysian MotoGP: http://www.sepangcircuit.com
Australian MotoGP: http://www.motogp.com.au
Portugese MotoGP: http://www.circuito-estoril.pt
Official MotoGP ticketing: http://www.motogp.com