Ultimate guide to the 2022 VALO Adelaide 500
From road closures to free travel, ticket prices, starting times and the races you won’t want to miss, here’s everything you need to know.
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For motorsport fans, the Adelaide 500 is a pilgrimage to be made at least once in a lifetime.
Returning to South Australia after a hiatus, this year’s event finishes the Supercars season, welcoming petrol heads from December 1 until 4.
Featuring two 250km races, the event concludes by crowning the overall season champion, Shane van Gisbergen, who is too far ahead in the point standing to be overtaken.
The race schedule is packed with events including showcases, musical performances and stunt shows.
South Australian Motorsport Board chairman Andrew Daniels said with only about a third of spectators calling themselves “petrol heads”, the race wasn’t just for diehard motorsport fans.
“The other 70 per cent, they enjoy the racing, but they enjoy sport; they enjoy the music, the atmosphere, the displays, they want to be there with their friends, family, their kids – it’s all about a great day out,” he said.
South Australia’s motorsport reputation goes back to 1985, and the street circuit on which Supercars races is world renowned.
The Adelaide 500 track layout begins with remnants from the Formula 1 years, with Senna Chicane through Turns 1, 2 and 3.
If you want to catch Holden race, this year will be your final opportunity with the powerhouse team to race their final lap this year.
What is happening?
The four-day event includes two main maces and a plethora of other events.
Support categories will hit the track from 8.30am each day with plenty of action throughout the day including Dunlop Series, GT World Challenge, S5000, Aussie Racing Cars and Touring Car Masters.
For those with their minds on the Supercars, those vehicles will roll on stage for its opening practice session on Thursday at 3.55pm.
A second practice race is scheduled for Friday at 1.15pm.
The qualifying race follows the second practice at 5.35pm.
Fan favourite the Top Ten Shootout begins at 12.35pm on Saturday.
The shootout will determine the positions of each car on the grid for the opening 85-lap, 250km race, which starts at 3.15pm on Saturday.
The final day of the Adelaide 500 starts at 8.40am with the final 78-lap race beginning at 2.45pm.
Ticket sales
Approximately 260,000 fans are expected to attend the event, an increase of 52,000 people from the all-time low 2020 turnout.
There are a variety of tickets to purchase, from single-day general admission to multi-day passes with kids aged 12 years and under entering for free with a paying adult.
You can get closer to the teams working in the garages and maybe even score an autograph from your favourite driver by purchasing an additional Supercars Paddock ticket from $10.
Ticket purchases can be made through Ticketek online.
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.
After-race concerts and how to get there
This year’s concert line-up will see some of Australia’s biggest names in music: Lime Cordiale, The Presets, Baker Boy and Teenage Joans for Friday night.
However Saturday will see the legendary ARIA Hall of Famers Jimmy Barnes and Icehouse joined by Noiseworks.
US rock band The Killers headline Sunday’s musical entertainment.
If you can’t attend the event, the Adelaide 500 will be broadcast live on Foxtel and streamed on Kayo.
All ticket holders can travel to the event free on any Adelaide Metro bus, tram or train by showing your ticket.
A dedicated city shuttle bus will operate from 9am to 11pm each day taking ticket holders from the train station and bus stops to the event.
Traffic delays due to road closures will plague commuters along CBD and inner-eastern suburbs throughout the four-day event.
Significant portions of Wakefield Rd and East Tce have been shut.
Major thoroughfares including Hutt St and Fullarton Rd will be affected as gradual closures are put in place until after the end of the Adelaide 500 on December 8.
The RAA said Portrush Rd, Glen Osmond Rd and Unley Rd are also impacted.
A spokesperson for the association told ABC Radio residual delays would take time to defuse throughout the network.
The added headaches will continue into the week with the most intense periods expected to be during morning peak hour.
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