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SA Premier announces global star for 2023 Adelaide 500

By Timothy Neal

Plans for a bigger and better Adelaide 500 in 2023 are already on the cards following a hugely successful comeback for the fan favourite event.

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas spoke at the events closing today, saying the crowd of over 258,000 people and an increased revenue proved the fact of its success.

The Premier also went so far as to announce that Robbie Williams has also been locked in to play at next year’s event, which will prove a huge draw card to further grow the crowd numbers and the overall spectacle.

“After such a special weekend, the streets of Adelaide were well and truly alive for the first time in a long time over the course of the weekend,” said the premier.

“To have over 258,000 people attend this event is very much a vindication of bringing back the Adelaide 500, and I want to thank the whole team for bringing it together.

“I do want to take the opportunity to acknowledge the chair of the motorsport Board Andrew Daniels, and Mark Warren, and their whole team, for having done something that borders on the completely miraculous, and to have put on such an extraordinary event in the space of just six months has been something very special.”

The premier also congratulated rookie Triple Eight Broc Feeney, and 2022 Supercars Champion Shane van Gisbergen.

“I’d like to firstly congratulate Broc on his victory yesterday, it was an extraordinary day of racing, and we are indeed proud of the fact that this event was your first victory, with hopefully many more to come.”

And in congratulating van Gisbergen, the Premier made note of the three-time champions memorable post-race title celebration.

“And to Shane, congratulations of the championship mate, but more than that, thank you for that amazing display on Sunday afternoon, it made for some pretty extraordinary vision on the TV all around the nation, and the whole eyes were on the country and on the Adelaide 500, particularly on that great piece of showmanship.”

In explaining the 60% percent up-shot in revenue that the event created, Malinauskas unveiled some big news for next year’s Adelaide 500 return.

“This event is on the march, and the government is committed to it being here in the long term because this race is back in a bigger, and better way than ever before. We’re going to continue to invest in it, and we want to make sure that the experience for patrons is elite. We want it to be the best Touring Car event anywhere in the world.

“We can already announce that there will be more shade on the main grandstand this year with a bit more time on our side, but more than that we want it to be a festival that people enjoy, and is accessible for families and the next generation of fans…”

Malinauskas then went on to announce via a video presentation, that the newly reformed Motorsport Board has already secured Robbie Williams as the main entertainment for next year’s event.

For more of the latest motorsport news pick up the latest issue of AUTO ACTION.

AUTO ACTION, Australia’s independent voice of motorsport.