The Bend Motorsports park has announced South Australia’s first Supercars enduro race

Australia’s “best motorsport facility” at Tailem Bend will soon achieve a “burning ambition,” its boss says, after a major Supercars announcement.

The Bend Motorsport park has announced it will host a Supercars endurance event in 2025, which circuit director Sam Shahin says fulfils a “burning ambition” for the owners.

The Bend will not feature in the Supercars championship in 2024, with the Vailo Adelaide 500 (November 14-17) the only South Australian event for the year.

Mr Shahin said: “Hosting a Supercars Endurance round has long been considered the holy grail for our venue and we are thrilled we have finally been able to secure this prestigious event for 2025.

“I am naturally disappointed that a Supercars event will not be held at the best motorsport facility in Australia in 2024, however we are thrilled to have secured the coveted endurance round for The Bend in 2025.”

While the venue will not appear on the calendar for the 2024 season, chief executive of Shell V-Power Motorsports Park Alistair MacDonald said the hiatus would be a good thing in the long run.

The Shell V-Power Motorsport Park at The Bend managing director Sam Shahin and Premier Peter Malinauskas. Picture: Supplied

“Being awarded more time to plan allows us to keep looking into improving our food and beverage offerings, camping and accommodation, facilities and more,” Mr MacDonald said.

“It will be an exceptional event outside of the winter months,” he said.

“We have a jam-packed 2024 calendar and the break will let us look at making events bigger and better.”

Mr MacDonald said a full calendar release and further announcements were coming in the next few weeks.

A Supercars Enduro race runs over 500 or 1000km with refuelling permitted and multiple drivers for each car required.

Details for the Bend’s Enduro round have not been confirmed, but it is anticipated to be a three-day event bringing racing fans from across Australia to Tailem Bend.

Recent events at the motorsport park have been a success like the Top Fuelers on the Dragway at the Bend during the Spring National Drag Championships in October. Picture: Supplied

Premier Peter Malinauskas said that while disappointed the Bend won’t feature in 2024, the enduro round was a great outcome for the venue and Regional SA.

“The Shell V-Power Motorsport Park is becoming a major tourism destination for South Australia evidenced by the Spring Nationals hosting over 35,000 people across two days in October,” Mr Malinauskas said.

“We will work with the venue on further major events for 2024 and are looking forward to making some announcements in the coming weeks.”

The Bend Motorsport Park was initially set to be the opening round of the PIRTEK Enduro Cup in 2020, however plans were changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Supercars Chief Executive Shane Howard said he was excited to see what happens on track when endurance racing debuts in South Australia for the first time.

“The circuit has produced incredible moments on track since 2018 and is well-suited for Supercars endurance racing,” Mr Howard said.

“Following discussions with management at The Bend, both parties have agreed that the best outcome is to focus on 2025.”

The 2024 season will kick off with the Bathurst SuperFest in February 23-25.