The 2024 event is a true mecca of motorsport

The 2024 VAILO Adelaide 500 is a true mecca of motorsport for those who have fuel running through their veins.

 

This year’s event not only has the Supercars championship and five support categories racing on all four days but also top-level supercross and sprintcar racing, creating a motorsport event never before seen in Australia.

 

 

SPRINTCARS IN THE CITY

 

The NAPA Speedway brings sprintcars to the heart of Adelaide for the first time.

 

The 950-horsepower speed machines race on dirt, oval tracks – meaning a purpose-built, temporary track designed specifically for the VAILO Adelaide 500 is built within the precinct for them to race on.

 

The NAPA Sprintcar Invitational on Thursday and Friday nights of the event will replicate the High Limits format used in the US, with qualifying, dash draws and last chance qualifiers held before the main feature races.

 

Among the 40 drivers taking part in the NAPA Sprintcar Invitational are top racers straight from the racetracks of the US.

 

American sprintcar drivers Chase Randall and Parker Price-Miller will be joined by Australian drivers James McFadden and Kerry Madsen, who also race in the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series in the US.

 

Meanwhile, the top Australian sprintcar drivers – including 2023 champion Jock Goodyer, Lachlan McHugh and Callum Williamson – are also among the field.

 

Wingless Sprints and Street Stock classes will race for fans on Saturday and Sunday.

 

All speedway events are free for all VAILO Adelaide 500 ticketholders to view.

 

 

SUPERCROSS – RACING ON TWO WHEELS

 

Top-level dirt-bike racing makes its VAILO Adelaide 500 debut with the fourth round of the Fox Australian Supercross Championship held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

 

The best riders in the country will battle in the Boost Mobile AUSX Supercross Sprint across four classes – SX1, SX2, SX3 and 85CC – on the custom-built supercross track designed specifically for Adelaide.

 

The sprint format also is unique for Adelaide, to encourage aggressive passing, tighter battles on track and speeds of up to 90km/h. Meanwhile, riders will soar up to 20m in the air off triple jumps.

 

SX1 title leaders Joey Savatgy and Luke Clout will want to add to their championship points tally at the round while South Australian motorcross legend Brett Metcalfe also joins the field.

 

Practice and qualifying will be held Friday ahead of a huge Saturday that starts at 10.30am, pauses briefly for Race 1 of the Supercars, then gets back underway at 5.30pm. Junior classes compete on Sunday.

 

All VAILO Adelaide 500 ticketholders have access to supercross racing included with their ticket.

 

 

SUPER SUPPORTS

 

For those who like a little fun in their motorsport, the Boost Mobile Stadium Super Trucks make their return.

 

The high-powered off-road US-style pick-up trucks are known for their high-flying theatrics as they launch 5m into the air from strategically placed ramps on the racetrack.

 

Not to be outdone, the Tyrepower V8 SuperUtes take Aussie ute racing to a new level, with the typical diesel-fuelled engines of the dual-cab utes replaced with V8 petrol engines, while the suspension also is lowered to provide high-speed racing.

 

In the Dunlop Series of Super2 and Super3 drivers, the next generation of Supercars drivers including Kai Allen and Cooper Murray are behind the wheel of past-generation V8 Supercars, which ensures the Holden v Ford v Nissan rivalry lives on.

 

To hear even louder V8 engines, the Trico Trans-Am Series has you covered.

 

The US-style muscle cars such as Ford Mustangs, Chevrolet Camaros and Dodge Challengers are piloted by up-and-coming as well as established drivers including James Moffat and Todd Hazelwood.

 

But for traditional racing flair, look no further than Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup.

 

The Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (Type 992) race cars are based on the 992 generation road car but produce about 375 kW or 510 horsepower.

 

 

SUPERCARS

 

The main event across the weekend is, of course, the Supercars Championship.

 

As the final round of the year, the championship winner will be crowned on the streets of Adelaide.

 

However, for the past two years, it has been drivers who have not been in championship contention who have shared the limelight, with Matt Payne, Cam Waters, Broc Feeney and Chaz Mostert all race winners.

 

This year, two crowd favourites – SA’s own Tim Slade and former champion Mark Winterbottom – will be making their last appearance in the category as they retire from full-time racing.