Hundreds of Supercars fans rally for return of Adelaide 500

Supercar fans, drivers and politicians have turned out to rally to demand the State Government reinstate the Adelaide 500.

About 250 people were revved up and ready to rally on Sunday for the return of the Adelaide 500.

Supercar fans, as well as Ford Supercars driver Tim Slade and Holden’s Nick Percat, gathered outside Café De Vili’s at Mile End to call on the State Government to reinstate the race.

They then climbed in their cars and embarked on a cruise through Adelaide.

Event organiser Ian Barlow said the Adelaide 500 was “built into South Australia’s DNA”.

“You’ve ripped a major artery out of SA and for what? Just give the people what they want,” he said.

Rally organiser Sam Henderson speaks to the crowd. Picture: Emma Brasier

Slade said it was a “massive disappointment” that the Government scrapped the race.

“I think it just really showcases Adelaide and South Australia in general and it makes you proud to be a South Aussie when you see the race happening,” he said.

Andrew Craigie, of Morphett Vale, and his grandson Dylan Bailey, 12, took part in the rally to show their support for the event.

“I love the V8 Supercars … and like would like the government to bring it back,” Dylan said.

Protesters rallied at Mile End on Sunday to call on the State Government to reinstate the Adelaide 500. Picture: Emma Brasier.

We're off! #Savethe500 #Adelaide500 pic.twitter.com/zDJ3PhpFvM

— Cara Jenkin (@V8GirlCara) January 31, 2021

Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas reiterated to the crowd that Labor would bring back the Adelaide 500 if it won the March 2022 State Election.

“It was making us money, it was creating jobs in this state and it was the source of an enormous amount of passion,” he said.

Holden Supercar driver Nick Percat and Ford Supercar driver Tim Slade with motor enthusiast Dylan Bailey, 12, at a rally calling on the State Government to reinstate the Adelaide 500. Picture: Emma Brasier.

SA Best MLC Frank Pangallo, who helped organise the rally, said it was a “dumb decision to axe the V8s then and it’s a dumb decision to not back down now”.

However, Transport Minister Corey Wingard on Sunday ruled out returning the race Adelaide.

“We’ve made this very clear … that we’re investing that money into other events,” he said.

“We do have V8 racing up at Tailem Bend and other motorsport as well in South Australia. I’m more than happy to look at what opportunities lie there.”

The Government in late October announced it had dumped the 2021 Adelaide 500, citing rising costs, falling crowds, declining commercial interest and the coronavirus pandemic.

The Advertiser reported that the 2020 event generated $38 million in economic benefit, compared to $45.9 million in 2019.