Adelaide thrills to sights and sounds of Motorsport Festival

Steeped in history and with events held across the city and regions, the Adelaide Motorsport Festival has something for everyone.

Adelaide has a long history in motorsport, and that history is on show at two unique events which provide a “museum in motion” and bucket-list experiences for any motoring enthusiast.

The Adelaide Motorsport Festival and the Shannons Adelaide Rally allow motoring enthusiasts to get close to some of the most historic race vehicles ever built, renowned not only in Australia but around the world.

With Formula 1 at its heart, the festival is centred at the Adelaide Parklands street circuit made famous for hosting the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix during the 1980s and 1990s. But alongside Formula 1 cars from yesteryear – brought into Adelaide from around the world, specifically for spectators to enjoy – is a plethora of motorsport displays, races and demonstrations of every vehicle imaginable – as well as some surprises.

A variety of race cars will also be taking to the street circuit in demonstration laps and races, allowing spectators to soak up the sights and sounds.

Previous events have staged some jaw-dropping activities such as an aeroplane racing a race car, and similar awe-inspiring events are in the planning for the upcoming festival. “While some events build out their activities with sideshows, we stay true to what we are about, which is motorsport first and foremost,” event director Tim Possingham says. “Spectators know that every time they come back, there’s something new and exciting, and we know we have to exceed their expectations.

Dean Cook, Adelaide Rally participant, with Tim Possingham, event director of Shannons Adelaide Rally and Adelaide Motorsport Festival. Picture: Russell Millard

“It’s a smorgasboard for the car enthusiast. My recipe for success is small bites and tasty morsels of motoring history that people just love. It’s very much like doing a degustation. That’s what keeps people excited, enthused and hungry for more, and we’ll continue to do that.”

The Shannons Adelaide Rally has grown to be the largest tarmac rally in the southern hemisphere, with more than 400 classic and modern cars entered to compete over the four-day event on circuits that take entrants through the spectacular Adelaide Hills.

Visit adelaidemotorsportfestival.com.au and adelaiderally.com.au for the latest news, attractions and event information.

 

EVENTS

SHANNONS ADELAIDE RALLY

Adelaide and the Hills will come alive from November 23-27, when hundreds of classic and high-performance vehicles compete in the Shannons Adelaide Rally. Drivers and navigators take to the winding and picturesque public roads in competitive timed racing or spirited social driving. Previous events have featured a Dodge Viper, Mitsubishi Evo, Datsun 240Z and Ford Shelby Mustang. Vehicles participate across five categories, and spectators can see the vehicles take the twists and turns from special viewing areas en route.

FORMULA 1

Step back into the glory days of the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Adelaide Motorsport Festival, where not only historic Formula 1 cars start their engines and complete laps around parts of the Victoria Park circuit but drivers of yesteryear, too.

Formula 1 drivers Ivan Capelli (98 Grand Prix entries) and Stefan Johansson (103 Grand Prix entries), who both raced in Adelaide in the 1980s, have previously attended.

When not roaring around the track, the Formula 1 race cars will be displayed for spectators to get such a close look at them.

F1 cars racing at the Adelaide Motorsport Festival at Victoria Park. Picture: Tom Huntley

VICTORIA PARK SPRINT

The Adelaide Motorsport Festival is held at the parklands race track and surrounds on Adelaide’s city fringes. The on-track element of the festival, the Victoria Park Sprint features vehicles in 13 categories such as Formula 1, open wheelers, heritage touring cars, V8 Supercars, Improved Production, sports prototypes and modified JDM cars. Cars are released in pairs to race against the clock, with a new category or demonstration featured on the circuit every 10-15 minutes. Spectators can also get up close to the drivers, such as Supercars champion Craig Lowndes and Formula 1 driver Stefan Johansson, who often wander in the area.

STREET PARTIES

The Adelaide Motorsport Festival and Adelaide Rally street parties take the concept to another level. The parties are held at Adelaide CBD’s renowned restaurant strips, with the Gouger Street Party on the Friday night of the event weekend, and the East End Finale around Rundle Street where the rally cars will arrive at the conclusion of the final day’s rally stages. The Uraidla Lunch Stop in the Hills provides another chance to get up close and personal with the vehicles, while Strathalbyn will host the Town Stage.