What to do and see at The Bend this weekend: The Advertiser gets it all sorted

There’s so much happening at The Bend this weekend that it will be hard to do it all. So The Advertiser has compiled a handy guide so you can make the most of it.

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With more than 20 hours of activity planned both on and off track at this weekend’s OTRSuperSprint at The Bend Motorsport Park, it may be hard to do it all.

So The Advertiser has compiled a list of the best vantage points and top things to do at the three-day event, to ensure spectators do not miss the quintessential Supercars experiences.

Nulon Racing driver Scott Pye said the best place to see on-track action was around turn 17 – where a grandstand is handily located.

The South Australian driver will make his 300th race start at the track this weekend and is known for overtaking other drivers at the circuit.

“If someone overtakes you into the second-last corner, there’s a really good opportunity to do a switch back and pass it back into the last corner,” he said.

“That last part of the lap and the beginning of the next lap is always a good bit of a battle.”

Pye said Turn 1 also was a good spot, not just for drivers to overtake but for spectators to watch.

“The outside of the first corner is good. You get to see us come down into turn 1 and then all the way through turn 2, 3, out of turn 3 and into turn 4,” he said.

“One really good opportunity is on the front straight where they’ve got the grandstand opposite the pits – I think it’s a really cool place to sit, you get the race start to see the cars at their best and high speed and you can still see right across into the garages as well.”

Team 18/DeWalt Racing driver Scott Pye with his Holden Commodore at The Bend.

BEST PLACE TO WATCH

Any grandstand, located at turn 1, turn 17, turn 18, and pit straight. Plus, each pit straight

grandstand ticket purchased has the chance to win a hot lap with Shane van Gisbergen.

BEST VIEW OF PASSING

The general admission area alongside turn 5 has a close view of race cars heading into the hairpin, and a more distant view of turn 1.

BEST THING FOR KIDS

The in-field. Ride the ferris wheel, play slot cars, try racing simulators and mingle with Matt Mingay’s Hot Wheels stunt team.

BEST THING FOR MATES

Book a session together at the go-kart track.

BEST WAY TO GET THERE

Let someone else tackle the freeway and take the shuttle bus from Adelaide CBD, Elizabeth,

Noarlunga, Mt Barker or Murray Bridge for just $10 return for adults, with children aged 14 and under free.

BEST PLACE TO STAY

Pitch a tent and wake up metres from the circuit at one of two campgrounds.

BEST WAY TO SEE DRIVERS

A drivers’ autograph session will be held at the Supercars Paddock at 10.55am on Sunday.

BEST PLACE TO HAVE A DRINK

Ned’s Bar. Located between turns 13, 14, 15 and 16, it has one of the closest views of race vehicles.

BEST POST-RACE ACTIVITY

Saturday fireworks display, starting at 6.15pm.