500 attracts record Bend crowd
By Thomas Miles
Date posted: 16 September 2025
The arrival of the Supercars September enduro brought a record crowd to Tailem Bend last weekend.
The AirTouch 500 at The Bend was the eighth time Supercars have raced at the venue and first since 2023, attracting 47,034 people across the three days.
It is almost 6000 more than the previous record set during the venue’s very first time hosting Supercars in 2018, when 41,250 attended.
Previously, Supercars has only raced at the Bend for shorter, lower-profile sprint rounds in the middle of winter.
Track founders Sam and Yasser Shahin had always dreamt of bringing the 500 to their circuit and their vision became a reality.
Helping hit the record crowd were camping and park and view packages being sold out, plus a strong support program featuring FIA TCR World Tour, Touring Car Masters, Porsche Carrera Cup, Trans Am and Aussie Racing Cars.
“The Bend has quickly established itself as one of Australia’s premier motorsport venues, and this weekend’s AirTouch 500 takes it to the next level with a world-first program,” . Zoe Bettison MP, South Australian Minister for Tourism, said.
“Hosting international categories alongside Australia’s Supercars reinforces our State’s reputation for staging globally significant events while driving real tourism and economic benefits into our regions.”
Supercars crowds at The Bend
2018: 41,250
2019: 35,100
2020: N/A
2021: 31,000 (Double header)
2022: 37,636
2023: 41,237
2025: 47,034
Image: Peter Norton
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