ADELAIDE 500 LOCKS IN FIVE-YEAR DEAL AS SUPERCARS FINALE

The South Australian Labor Government and Supercars have signed a five-year deal which will see the Adelaide 500 host the final round of the Supercars Championship for the next five years.

The agreement was signed by South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas, SA Motorsport Board chief executive Mark Warren and Supercars CEO Shane Howard in Adelaide today.

The announcement cements the Adelaide 500 in 2022 which will go ahead as planned from December 1-4.

The following four events from 2023-2026 will also act as the Supercars Championship season finale.

“This is an historic moment for motorsport in South Australia – not only are we locking in the event’s return this year, but we are also securing the race for at least the next five years,” said a delighted Malinauskas

“I have every confidence hosting the final race in the Supercars Championship will become an integral part of the sport’s calendar in the same way the season opener in Adelaide used to be.

“Coupled with hosting the end of season gala awards night, this promises to be a spectacular end of the year leading into the Christmas period.”

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the race was historically the Supercars Championship season opener.

The Adelaide 500 did not take place in 2021 after it was axed by previous SA Premier, Liberal’s Steven Marshall who blamed the COVID-19 pandemic for its sudden canning.

Howard is thankful to the Malinauskas government for reviving the Supercars Championship Hall of Fame event and is looking forward to returning in December and beyond.

“The Adelaide 500 is a spectacular event that showcases South Australia to a huge national and international audience and will be a fitting finale to the Repco Supercars Championship for the next five years,” the Supercars CEO said.

“I want to thank Premier Malinauskas, the South Australian Government, Mark Warren and the SA Motorsport Board for their unwavering support and reviving this event to recreate what will be five incredible years of racing in Adelaide.”

As well as confirmation that the Adelaide Street Circuit will hold the season finale, Supercars also committed to hosting its end of season gala awards night on the Monday following the Adelaide 500 for the next five years.

The Government explained the event provides certainty for the government and Supercars as well as all of the businesses, contractors and workers who rely on the event.

In 2019, the Adelaide 500 attracted more than 250,000 people, and generated more than $45 million in economic activity. The event attracted 15,000 interstate and international visitors and supported 90,000 visitor bed nights.

SA Motorsport Board CEO Mark Warren spoke exclusively to AUTO ACTION, you can read all about his plans for the return of the race in the current issue of the magazine. For a hard copy visit your local newsagency, for a digital version click here.