SA in shock as Superloop 500 succumbs to coronavirus pressure
Holden racing legend Mark Skaife has slammed the shock decision to axe Adelaide’s annual Supercars event, saying he’s “absolutely gobsmacked”. But others have welcomed the move.
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Adelaide will no longer host an annual Supercars event with organisers saying the ongoing impact of COVID and declining interest in motorsport has made the marquee event unviable.
As reported on Thursday night by Advertiser.com.au, the State Government and South Australian Tourism Commission have announced the Superloop Adelaide 500 will not go ahead in 2021.
The Commission will not seek a contract for future years and will argue South Australia’s world-class race track, The Bend, should be home to the state’s biggest motorsport races.
Since it started in 1999, more than 5.3 million people have attended V8s in Adelaide.
Premier Steven Marshall told The Advertiser the decision has not been made lightly.
“The Superloop Adelaide 500 has been an event icon for over 20 years, and this decision was made with careful consideration,” he said on Thursday night.
“COVID-19 has presented significant challenges for the events sector, and the uncertainty and other factors became an unsurmountable hurdle in the plight to deliver a successful race.
“South Australia sets the benchmark for delivering world-class events, and we will continue to invest in this space to create local jobs.
“We remain a strong supporter of motorsports and will move swiftly to assess all options for motorsport future events.”
In a statement, the Supercars Champiionship said it remained open to returning to Adelaide.
“We regret that the South Australian Government has decided to cease holding this event,” it read.
“Supercars is looking forward to providing our fans with an exciting 2021 Championship across Australia and New Zealand.
“If, at any time in the future, the South Australian Government decides to recommence the Adelaide 500, Supercars would be delighted to be there.”
Mark Skaife: I’m gobsmacked
Holden racing legend Mark Skaife said the decision was “extraordinary”.
“I’m absolutely gobsmacked. It’s one of Australia’s biggest sporting events.
“It doesn’t make any sense to me.”
He said the event was “so important “ to the motor racing landscape and to Adelaide tourism.
“This is an event that has got iconic status. I’d love the Premier to reconsider.”
Managing director of The Bend Motorsport Park Dr Sam Shahin said: “I am both sad and surprised at the decision to axe the Adelaide event”.
“I have much respect though for the decision makers at the SA Tourism Commission and the Premier to appreciate that such a decision would have been very meticulously assessed, taking into consideration the reality and status of the event in recent years,’’ he said.
“Everything must come to an end.
“Rather than lament what could have been, we should celebrate the history of the Adelaide street circuit event over the decades and acknowledge the contribution it has made to our entire State from the early days of Formula One to the more recent Supercars era.
“The Bend stands committed, ready and able to fill the void and to provide a proud South Australian venue for all sport fans at all levels.”
In 2019 254,000 attended the Superloop event, while 201,975 attended Bathurst.
Figures from the Commission last year said “the 2019 Superloop Adelaide 500 achieved a record economic benefit of $45.9 million injected into the South Australian economy, with 15,200 interstate visitors travelling to South Australia to attend the event and the creation of 435 new full-time equivalent jobs.”
Crowd numbers for the event have bounced around - from 291,400 in 2009, estimated to be the largest turnout for a motorsport event in Australia’s history, to 206,000 this year.
The award-winning event has also hosted music concerts featuring a raft of the world’s most popular acts - from Robbie Williams to the Red, Hot, Chili Peppers - making it one of the biggest events of the year in South Australia.
Commission chief executive Rodney Harrex said South Australia remains a strong supporter of Supercar racing, and would continue to promote the state as a venue for future events.
“South Australia is one of the premiere event locations in the nation and globe, and we will continue to invest in a range of sporting, cultural and arts events to stimulate the visitor economy,” Mr Harrex said.
“Due to the high level of uncertainty around the ability of the event to proceed in 2021, the likely impact on the event for both the consumer and commercial market, and the long-term decline in the core motorsport fan, a decision has been made that it will not be possible to hold the race next year, and to not seek a contract for future years.
“We have been in discussions with Supercars for the majority of this year, working through possible scenarios. At the end of the day, with the current set of circumstances we are not in a position to deliver a sustainable, successful future for the event for next year and beyond.
Park Lands group welcomes move
Norwood, Payneham & St Peters Mayor Robert Bria said his council had received complaints about the race, but not with the same intensity as Burnside council.
“I’m really shocked and it is the end of an era of 35 years of motorsport in Adelaide,” he said. “To lose an event like this is significant, especially given our car manufacturing history and it is the end of an era.”
In February last year, Freedom of Information documents, released to Opposition tourism spokeswoman Zoe Bettison, revealed residents had been lobbying the government to move the race since the last election. At the time, Southeast City Residents Association chairman John Underwood confirmed the group had lobbied for Tailem Bend as an alternative for the “disruptive” race, following the success of the state’s second V8 race weekend there in August last year.
Adelaide Park Lands Preservation Association president Shane Sody welcomed the decision, saying the group was thrilled Victoria Park was to be returned to the people.
Readers’ mixed response
Adelaidenow readers’ responses were mixed. One reader, Robert, posted:
“Living on the track I have seen the steady decline in numbers since the days of the Grand Prix. From a situation of multiple corporate grandstands and people several lines deep on the track, we have gravitated to few grandstands and minimal people on the track outside the main straight. It seems that most attendees are more interested in the concerts... The simple fact is that interest has waned over the years. The halcyon days of the Grand Prix are but a mere memory.”
But Nathan said it was short-sighted: “Unless this is a precursor to announcing a Formula E race on the street circuit, this is a terrible and short-sighted move by the State Government. Like it or not, the race is a major part of the city event calendar, and brings in an audience that isn’t necessarily captured by the festivals. Tailem Bend is not an equivalent replacement. Yes it will attract enthusiasts, but the appeal of a city based race is that it is far more accessible to a larger crowd. Most will not travel an hour and half to the middle of nowhere.”