Valo Adelaide 500 Race attracts 258,200 fans in fairytale end for Holden

Peter Malinauskas’ promise to return the Adelaide 500 to the city’s streets has paid off, with almost 260,000 fans flocking to see a fairytale exit by Holden.

Premier Peter Malinauskas almost had 260,000 reasons to smile as Holden bid farewell to V8 Supercars racing in the return of the Adelaide 500.

Mr Malinauskas received a deafening cheer from motorsport fans who packed Pit Straight for his presentation of the trophy to young Gold Coast driver Broc Feeney for winning Sunday’s race in extreme heat.

In a fairytale weekend for diehard fans of the former Elizabeth carmaker, Holden drivers finished first and second in both of the event’s two 78-lap races.

This year’s overall Supercars champion, New Zealander Shane van Gisbergen, thrilled a huge crowd of Holden enthusiasts by doing burnouts in his Commodore ZB to celebrate.

Premier Peter Malinauskas salutes the crowd after race two of the Adelaide 500. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

Earlier watching the race from the state government’s suite in a building first used for the Formula One Grand Prix races on essentially the same circuit in the 1980s and 1990s was a relieved Mr Malinauskas, who made bringing back the race one of his key election promises.

Having watched the first part of Sunday’s race with his family in a grandstand rented from the Melbourne GP, Mr Malinauskas paid tribute to the hardworking team which delivered the event from a cold start in May.

“When we started to get a lot of wet weather I started getting worried when it looked like we were falling behind in schedule but (SA Motorsport Board chief executive) Mark Warren and his team did an absolutely amazing job,” he said.

“They got it done without compromising the quality.”

Mr Malinauskas had promised to bring back the Adelaide 500 while in opposition after it was scrapped by his Liberal predecessor, Steven Marshall.

The Labor state leader flew to Sydney in November, 2020, to meet with the company which owns the Supercars competition, signing a formal deed to return the race if he won government last March.

Shane van Gisbergen and Broc Feeney celebrate with their team following the Adelaide 500. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

“As Premier, we made a big decision and took a risk saying we were going to bring it back this year but Supercars Australia put their confidence in me and the people of South Australia,” he said.

“They took a risk and it has paid off, in spades. We are rapt, just rapt.

“I have spent the day walking around, talking to people who have all told me how awesome they think it is. Everybody was having a bloody fantastic time.

“I met people from Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, New Zealand who all told me they had come for the race. The economic benefit from this event on the state is going to be enormous.”

Holden V8 legend Craig Lowndes at the VALO Adelaide 500. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Among those who were thrilled to see the Adelaide 500 back at Victoria Park was Holden V8 legend Craig Lowndes, who spent the weekend behind a microphone commentating rather than a steering wheel.

“It’s great to have it back, it should never have left in the first place,” he said.

Lowndes, 48, drove around the notoriously tight Adelaide street circuit numerous times in suffocating conditions similar to those which met drivers when they lined up on the starting grid on Sunday.

“The Clipsal 500 set the benchmark, both for drivers and cars,” he said.

“I’ve met the Premier and he has the drive and passion to make sure it now continues to be the best event again on the racing calendar.”

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As the temperature hit 35C, a RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornet made the event’s signature ear-blasting fly-over above the circuit.

It was impeccably timed to the ending of a passionate rendition of Advance Australia Fair by X-Factor finalist Ellie Lovegrove.

Tens of thousands of motorsport fans packed grandstands, corporate suites, vantage points behind refurbished concrete barriers and any available shade, whether it was large umbrellas or gum trees, to watch the two-hour race.

Among them was Adelaide Holden enthusiast Brett Wyatt, who, like others approached by The Advertiser, was full of praise for Mr Malinauskas for delivering on his election promise.

“For South Australia, the 500 was always a big thing for Adelaide.

“It brings in a lot tourism, a lot of money, I have met people from all over the place who have just come for the race,

“To have it back is just bloody beautiful, marvellous.”

Holden fanatic Justin Hawke flies the flag after the VALO Adelaide 500. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Albury roller door manufacturer Mark Tracey brough his wife, Laura, and 15-year-old motor racing son, Blake, to Adelaide for the event.

“The atmosphere is amazing, the set up is fantastic,” he said.

“It’s a really good environment, it’s just not about the racing.”

Mr Warren, who rebuilt the event in seven months with a core team of 15 people, said the SA Motorsport Board had been determined to create a carnival-like atmosphere.

“We have always said we wanted an event that was Formula One level and I think we have achieved that,” he said.

Mr Warren said numerous obstacles had confronted his team, mostly involving infrastructure which had been sold off following the decision to scrap the event.

“I did have my doubts (about delivering it on schedule) at one stage, yes,” he said.

Shane van Gisbergen celebrates after race two of the Adelaide 500. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

One of the biggest problems was securing the main pit building, which was almost sold off while many concrete barriers and main grandstands also had to be replaced.

“Luckily, changing the race to this time of the year meant we were able to rent infrastructure from the Grand Prix in Melbourne,” he said.

“What that enabled us to do was build a village for 80,000 people, which we have done.

“We set out to create something entirely new and we have done that.”

Included in the capital works was resurfacing large parts of the 3.219km circuit, including sections of public roads which transform into a race track.

“There were weeds and shrubs in some places, it needed a lot of work,” said Mr Warren.

Mr Warren said the event’s sponsor, Adelaide-based lighting company VALO had installed 30 giant screens throughout the circuit, providing unprecedented viewing spots.

The official crowd for the four-day event was 258,200, with tickets sold at 2012 prices.