Money and fast cars have always been a heady mix. And with Adelaide already playing host to the season finale of the Australian supercar series this weekend, there was no better way to rev up the excitement in the city of churches than by bringing together an impressive collection of billionaires, central bankers, deal makers and money managers.

The Sohn Hearts and Minds Investment Leaders Conference is on tour for the third time in its nine-year history. The South Australian government has madeits own value investment by pumping a rumoured $500,000 into the event, in return for some handy dollars for local medical research and the chance to burnish its credentials as an investment hub.