Thousands of extra revheads set to flock to SA for 2022 Adelaide 500

Hopes the Adelaide 500 could kickstart a record breaking period of hospitality trade in the city have been sparked by predictions thousands of extra fans are set to visit SA.

An extra 51,000 fans are expected to flock to the returning Adelaide 500 motorsport event, sparking hope the popular V8 event will kickstart a record breaking period of hospitality trade.

Crowds of more than 250,000 are expected across the four days of the motorsport, which returns for the first time since 2020.

While event organisers would not release precise ticket sales, they said it was “strong” and based on trends attendance is expected to be more than 25 per cent higher than the last race.

Officials believe renewed interest combined with top entertainment will boost crowds.

South Australian Motor Sport Board chief executive, Mark Warren, said hospitality sales were also nearly double from fans using it as “end-of-year celebration”.

South Australian drivers Nick Percat, Tim Slade, Scott Pye and Todd Hazelwood with the number one ticket holder Jake Burton at the official launch for the 2022 Adelaide 500 earlier this year. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Kelly Barnes

He said a “strong” sales surge in the past six weeks left it “tracking well ahead” of 2020, the last before the previous Liberal government scrapped it.

He said key infrastructure was also due to be finished this week including the pit building and grandstands on the hairpin, pit straight as well as chicane.

Based on 206,000 fans attending the 2020 four-day event – its lowest number since 2002 – an extra 51,500 people are expected for this year’s race.

Attendances peaked in 2013 with 286,500 spectators, when rock legends KISS performed at the post-race concert. At least 273,500 attended in 2018.

Official Adelaide accommodation data last week showed hotel occupancy for Saturday night, December 3, was the second highest since the Easter long weekend.

Government analysis showed a 71 per cent occupancy but officials expect bookings “to be considerably higher”.

An extra 51,500 people are expected for this year’s Adelaide 500. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Industry chiefs believe hotels will be full during the first weekend of December, which would spark a six-month boom.

Australian Hotels Association SA chief executive, Ian Horne, said the Adelaide 500 would start what the industry hoped was a “record breaking” six months of trade.

He predicted the CBD and North Adelaide’s major four star and above hotels selling out more than 6000 rooms, boosting the pandemic decimated sector.

“With the 500 race doing what all the indications are it’s going to be a full house,” he said.

“There’s a high level of expectation, enthusiasm and optimism the car race is just the beginning. We’ve then got the test match cricket, the Tour Down Under, Fringe, golf and return of football. There’s an expectation for a record breaking six months trade.”

Scott McLaughlin on his way to winning race two at the last Adelaide 500 in 2020. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Indie pop favourite Amy Shark and legendary Aussie three-piece Something For Kate are the opening acts for Las Vegas rockers, The Killers on Sunday, December 4.

Jimmy Barnes, Icehouse and Noiseworks will perform on Saturday.

Premier Peter Malinauskas is pleased the race was being “backed in”.

“The races, concerts and other events are going to be truly spectacular,” he said.

“But the return of the race is about far more than delivering a good time. This is about bringing visitors and economic activity to our beautiful state.

“We’re filling our hotels, restaurants, pubs, clubs and bars, all of which suffered through the pandemic. They deserve our support.”