Clipsal 500 management backs second V8 Supercars round for SA with deal for On The Run-backed race weekend at Tailem Bend

CLIPSAL 500 management has thrown its support behind a second V8 Supercars round for South Australia, with plans for a joint promotional deal for an On The Run-backed weekend of racing at Tailem Bend from next year.

• Burst water main on compounds Clipsal 500 closures
• Clipsal bracing for hottest days in racing history
• Tailem Bend motorsport park passes MotoGP safety inspection
• SUPERSITE: Latest Clipsal 500 news and features

CLIPSAL 500 management has thrown its support behind a second V8 Supercars round for South Australia, with plans for a joint promotional deal for an On The Run-backed weekend of racing at Tailem Bend from next year.

The Advertiser can also reveal infrastructure construction began this week on the Tailem Bend facility, which is majority funded by OTR owners the Shahin family.

There are three entry points to the 800-hectare circuit being built on the Dukes and Mallee highways, to the south-east of the town.

Dr Sam Shahin said yesterday that Australia’s newest motorsport facility would be called The Bend Motorsport Park, in anticipation of V8 fan-slang inevitably nicknaming the circuit “The Bend”.

As 65,100 fans sweltered through mid-30 degree temperatures in Adelaide yesterday, plans were already under way to join forces between Clipsal 500 and the Tailem Bend developers to lock in a second event for the state.

The Shahin family has an in principle go-ahead for a 2017 V8 Supercars event which it says will make SA Australia’s “motorsport state”.

Clipsal 500 chief executive Mark Warren said he would extend the hand of friendship to help the $80 million Tailem Bend project become a success.

Sam Shahin and FIM Safety officer Franco Uncini last month at the start/finish line of the SA Motor Sport Park race track, being built at Tailem Bend. Picture: Mike Burton

“We believe anything that grows motorsport in this state is fantastic,’’ Mr Warren said.

“We expect a second V8 race will help drive interest in motorsport and we anticipate there will be opportunities for joint promotion which will ultimately benefit both events.”

State Government ownership of the Clipsal event, and taxpayer part-funding for the private Tailem Bend facility, meant only a friendly rivalry would exist between the two race rounds.

But with Clipsal 500’s help Dr Shahin said SA could lead the nation for motorsport carnivals.

Race 1 pole position winner Scott Pye of Team DJR Penski in action during the qualifying event on Friday.

“The motivation is to make South Australia the motorsport state and cross promotion would be a great way to do that,’’ he said.

“There is motivation on both sides and Clipsal 500 is the most successful motorsport event in Australia, and the best event, so I will be an astute listener meeting with the best.’’

Tourism Minister Leon Bignell said as owner of the Clipsal 500 brand the State Government could negotiate joint-sponsorship agreements and put other incentives in place to help the Tailem Bend event emerge as a second weekend of motorsport.

“We have been so underdone for decades in SA in providing the facilities for motorsport, and while we have put $7.5 million in the Shahin family has put in more than $60 million to make this a big success,’’ he said.

“This thing is a game changer and we want to make sure it works.’’

Fans were fully absorbed with the current event yesterday, excitedly welcoming the V8 Supercars on to the track for the first time in 2016, with Shell Ford driver Scott Pye winning pole position for tomorrow’s first race and Supercheap Auto Racing Ford’s Chaz Mostert for the second of three events.

“We waited and waited and waited and waited,’’ said an excitedly jumping Miley Lower, 5, of Elizabeth.