By Matthew Clayton
For once, Jack Miller was lost for words. The Australian MotoGP rider had just been told that turn four of the Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit would be forever known as Miller Corner, with an official ceremony set to take place at his home grand prix this weekend.
Forget speechless; this was a time where simply composing his thoughts was more difficult than anything he’ll do on track this weekend.
“Words can’t even describe it – it’s probably the nicest gesture I’ve ever had in my career,” the four-time MotoGP race-winner said.
Jack Miller at Phillip Island this week.Credit:Getty Images
“On my favourite track, at the corner where my family has always sat over my career … for it to be known as Miller Corner long after my career ends and I’m an old bloke watching the races on TV, it’s more than I could ever have dreamed of.”
Turn four has been unofficially known as Miller Corner since the Australian burst onto the MotoGP scene in 2015, with hundreds of family and friends from his native Townsville and relatives from New Zealand making the turn their own, clad in merchandise bearing Miller’s signature orange colours and “Jackass” logo.
Miller becomes the fourth Australian rider to have a section of one of the world’s revered motorcycle circuits renamed in their honour. Phillip Island’s start-finish straight is known as Gardner Straight, after 1987 500cc world champion Wayne Gardner, while the fearsomely-fast first bend at the straight’s conclusion is Doohan Corner, honouring the feats of five-time 500cc world champion Mick Doohan.
Turn three at the circuit was renamed Stoner Corner, acknowledging the achievements of two-time MotoGP champion and six-time race winner Casey Stoner, in 2012.
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