SA snubbed: No major local car race for first time in decades as The Bend is left off Repco Supercars Championship calendar

As Australia’s premier motor-racing event was revving up this weekend, SA Supercars fans were learning the state had been left off the race schedule for the first time in decades.

South Australia is facing the prospect of having no V8 car racing event next year, with the 2022 Repco Supercars Championship draft calendar bypassing the state.

The 13-event 2022 draft calendar was released on Sunday, with races to be held from March to November, starting with the Repco Newcastle 500.

SA’s only hope to host an event is one listed on the calendar as “TBC” for July 30-31, with an announcement not expected for a few weeks.

The Supercars decision comes nearly two years after the state government pulled the pin on the cult favourite the Adelaide 500, citing increasing costs.

Adding insult to injury, the decision to abandon SA was announced just as the nation’s most famous Supercars race, the Bathurst 1000, got under way on Sunday.

This year round 4 of the Repco Supercars Championship race was held at The Bend Motorsport Park, near Tailem Bend, in May.

The Advertiser attempted to contact Supercars chief executive Sean Seamer for a comment as to why SA had been excluded from the draft calendar, but was unsuccessful.

Shadow treasurer Stephen Mullighan said the omission of SA from the Supercars calendar was a “massive blow” for the state’s major events sector.

The first lap of the Supercars at The Bend Motorsport Park in May. Picture: Brenton Edwards

“This will be the first time in 52 years South Australia will not host a touring car/V8 event,” Mr Mullighan said.

“Sadly, the victims are local businesses and workers who relied on the economic activity from the Adelaide 500 and The Bend. They have now lost the Adelaide 500 and The Bend, but have been offered nothing to replaceit. This is on top of the pain they are suffering due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The Adelaide 500 was held between 1999 and 2020, and before that there were Australian Touring Car Championship races at Mallala between 1989 and 1998.

SA Labor leader Peter Malinauskas last year promised if he was elected he would revive the Adelaide 500.

Mr Malinauskas has signed a memorandum of understanding with Mr Seamer to return the race to the CBD.

The election is in March, with any prospective future race being 2023 at the earliest.

The state government declined to answer questions about whether it advocated for a Supercars race to be held at The Bend next year.

“The government has a long-term commitment to support motorsport in South Australia, including motorsport at the world-class The Bend Motorsport Park,” she said.

The Advertiser understands discussions are ongoing with Supercars and The Bend owner, Sam Shahin. Dr Shahin did not respond to questions about the future of the event.