Adelaide 500 track in poor condition, with longer road closures needed for resurfacing work

Large parts of the Adelaide 500 racetrack are in poor condition and need resurfacing – which means more construction and longer-than-usual road closures.

Extensive sections of the Adelaide 500 track must be resurfaced before the event can be held again this year, with longer construction and road closure periods also required in the lead-up.

The SA Motorsport Board has told Adelaide City Council sections of the circuit in Victoria Park – including Pit Paddock – must be repaired before the event can be licensed by motorsport’s international controlling body.

Chief executive Mark Warren said there would also have to be longer closure of some roads and public areas around the racetrack to ensure safety while inexperienced contractors worked on the circuit.

“There will potentially be new contractors who have had no experience with the event build and its dismantling,” he said.

“We may need additional time to maintain public safety.

“There are issues when you have four-tonne concrete barriers being moved by forklifts.”

During a briefing with elected members, Mr Warren said while public road closure times would be kept to a minimum, the state of the “dilapidated” track meant preliminary site works would have to start within weeks so the track was ready in time for December.

The street circuit was assessed by the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) before the last Adelaide 500 event was held in 2020.

The audit identified several areas that needed upgrading but the work was not undertaken when the 2021 race was cancelled by the former Liberal government.

Mr Warren told the public briefing the track had to be repaired to ensure it was safe for drivers.

“Since the last event in 2020, the integrity of the circuit has declined and works are required to enable the Adelaide 500 in December,” he said.

“The track resurfacing and kerbing project is required to ensure a track licence is obtained from the controlling motorsport body, FIA.”

Mr Warren said Pit Paddock – first used for the inaugural 1985 Formula One Grand Prix – had “deteriorated beyond its design life, had become unsafe and an eyesore not befitting of the parklands or as event space”.

The Adelaide 500 race, with Jamie Whincup leading the field into the chicane. Picture: Sarah Reed

Mr Warren said dirt paths in Victoria Park would be sealed while the racetrack was repaired, providing a “legacy asset for Victoria Park”.

Mr Warren said it was envisaged the total occupation time for the Adelaide 500 in Victoria Park would start from August 1 for 23 weeks, rather than the previous 20 weeks. Handover back to the council was planned for next February.

Closure of Wakefield Rd, Hutt St and Bartels Rd would be from November 22 until between December 6 and December 8. A large portion of Victoria Park would be locked down from November 29 to December 6.

Asked by councillor Anne Moran if legislation brought in during the 1980s for the Formula One still overrode legislation governing the parklands, Mr Warren confirmed it did.

“Well, you are just being polite by coming here then,” she said.

“That was rhetorical by the way.”

Originally published as Adelaide 500 track in poor condition, with longer road closures needed for resurfacing work