25 Ways To Celebrate 25 Years of the VAILO Adelaide 500

It’s been 25 years since the Adelaide 500 revolutionised Supercars, becoming a much-loved staple of the championship calendar.

Each year brings back favourite activities as well as new things to do over the four days of the event.

Here’s 25 ways to celebrate the historic milestone at the 2024 event.

 

1.TAKE A STROLL DOWN PIT LANE

Instead of strolling down memory lane, stroll down pit lane.

Purchase a Pit Walk ticket for one of the sessions held across the weekend and get up an up-close look at the Supercars while the mechanics and engineers work on them in their garages.

 

2. SEE SPRINTCARS AT THE SPEEDWAY

 

A new event-within-the-event this year is the NAPA Speedway, which features 950-horsepower sprintcars racing under lights across Thursday and Friday nights as well as during the weekend.

It’s an Australian-first, where 40 of the best international and Australian sprintcar racers will battle it out on the temporary 342m by 17m track, custom-built especially for the 2024 Adelaide 500.

 

3. SOAK UP THE SUPERCARS

 

There have been many epic Supercars battles on the streets of Adelaide since the event started in 1999.

That year, Craig Lowndes raced from last to first. But who could forget Scott McLaughlin’s first drive in a Volvo to snatch second place from Jamie Whincup in 2014 (and the post-race interview)? Or Nick Percat’s stunning win in saturating rain in 2016?

One of the best ways to celebrate 25 years is to witness what Supercars story unfolds during two 250km races, with one held on Saturday and the other on Sunday.

 

4. ATTEND THE LEGENDS LUNCHEON

 

Attending the special 25 Years Legends Luncheon is one of the hospitality experiences race fans can enjoy.

Aside from enjoying a premium food and beverage package from the Platinum Suite on Thursday, ticketholders will get unique event experiences such as behind-the-scenes tours, insider discussions and meet-and-greets with current and former Supercars drivers.

 

5. SAVOUR THE SPEED AT TURN 8

 

Turn 8 is perhaps the most notorious corner of any race track in Australia, and is the fastest corner of the Adelaide street circuit.

See why it has developed its reputation over 25 years by taking the time to watch the race cars fly through this corner, either from a spot under the trees in General Admission or from a seat in Brock grandstand.

When drivers get it wrong, it can be disastrous for their race cars. But when they get it right, the speed that they achieve has to be seen to be believed.

 

6. CONVERT YOUR KIDS

 

Nothing helps create or cement a passion for motorsport in your children and ensuring the VAILO Adelaide 500 tradition continues than taking them to the race track.

The HomeStart Family Zone is just the place for them to get hands-on with car-themed activities and other games.

At the least, they’ll love going on the Super Slide and bouncing on the Jurassic Inflatable so much they’ll beg to come back for the next 25 years.

 

7. SOAK UP THE SUPPORTS

 

They’re called support categories but with the action that they create on track, they are just as entertaining as the main game Supercars.

The Stadium Super Trucks is one of the most popular support categories among fans to have featured at the Adelaide 500 – and they’re back to showcase their high-flying antics.

Trans-Am, Carrera Cup, V8 SuperUtes and Dunlop Series also return after becoming firm stalwarts on the track over the years.

 

8. SIP ON A SPARKLING

 

A glass of sparkling wine is the perfect way to toast a 25-year milestone and you can do that from the Garden Bar, one of the hospitality options on offer.

Located at the relaxed lawn area trackside at Turn 11, it’s a pay-as-you-go bar while BBQ food is included, ensuring you won’t go hungry while sipping on your special celebratory beverage.

 

9. SNARE A SEAT AT THE SUPERCROSS

 

Another new event within the event is the Boost Mobile AUSX Supercross Sprint, which is also Round 4 of the Australian Supercross Championship.

It means the best riders in Australia will be competing at the custom-built track located in front of the Heritage Grandstand, which will be the best spot to snare a seat.

There will be plenty of opportunities across Friday, Saturday and Sunday to check out the action, although Saturday night is when the top-level riders will be racing on track.

 

10. UPGRADE YOUR TICKET TO A GRANDSTAND SEAT

 

If you’ve always roamed the circuit in General Admission, there is no better year than the 25th celebration to try securing your own seat in one of the six grandstands located around the circuit.

Grandstand ticket packages in 2024 are a lot more flexible than they used to be, with single-day and two-day options also making it more affordable for fans to secure a prime viewing position.

Of course, four-day grandstand ticket packages are available too.

 

11. SING ALONG WITH CROWDED HOUSE OR COLD CHISEL

 

The legendary Australian band Cold Chisel will perform at the VAILO Adelaide 500 for the third time in the event’s history on Sunday night.

Fronted by Jimmy Barnes, who has hit the Adelaide 500 stage even more times as a solo performer, the band is the headline act of the second night of After Race Concerts.

On Saturday night, however, a band previously not seen on the Adelaide 500 stage will make its street circuit debut, with Crowded House the headline act.

 

12. SEE, LEARN OR TRY SOMETHING NEW

 

Every year since 1999, there has been something new to look at or experience among the exhibitions around the precinct.

Many exhibitors run interactive activations to help fans get into the spirit of the event in the TrAction Zone.

 

13. GO CORPORATE

 

You don’t have to be invited to a corporate suite to experience what it is like to be treated to the best of VAILO Adelaide 500 hospitality.

A variety of options are available around the circuit, including new experiences at The Precinct at Turn 1 and Sofia Bistro at Turn 7.

 

14. GET A NEW PERSPECTIVE

 

If you’ve never seen the Adelaide street circuit from the air, it is a scene that will take your breath away.

For the milestone event, treat yourself to a helicopter ride above the circuit, with choppers regularly leaving from their launch pad next to Highway 500, near Gate 1, across the weekend.

 

15. CATCH UP WITH A SUPERCARS HERO

 

It is not just this season’s 24 Supercars drivers who you may run into as they come and go around the circuit but also some legends from years gone by.

This year’s Fanbassador is former Supercars driver Greg Murphy, who is eager to meet fans at various events across the weekend.

He will be joined at the track by other competitors who were on the grid for that very first race in 1999 including Steve Richards, Jason Bargwanna, Glenn Seton, John Bowe, World Motorcycle Champion Wayne Gardner and of course race winner Craig Lowndes.

 

16. REMINISCE OVER HISTORIC SUPERCARS

 

Some of the most memorable cars from the 1999 grid will be on display at the new Pub in the Park area, opposite the concert stage.

Fans can see seven vehicles including Wayne Gardner’s Coca-Cola Commodore VT and Jason Bargwanna’s Valvoline Commodore VT, then revisit nostalgic moments at the Memorabilia Hub.

Here, the 25-Year Stage will also be the location for discussions and interviews with various current and past Supercars names including team owners, drivers and media personalities.

 

17. BUY A MEMENTO

 

There is no better way to commemorate 25 years since the first Adelaide 500 than purchasing a lasting memento of the 2024 event.

Add to your team T-shirt or model race car collection by stopping by one of the team or motorsport merchandise outlets in Merchandise Alley in the TrAction Zone.

Special official VAILO Adelaide 500 merchandise also will be available to purchase to mark the occasion.

 

18. GET SOMETHING SIGNED

 

Collect the signature of every Supercars driver to race at the 25-year event by attending one of the driver signing sessions held at the precinct.

It will be an extra-special memento to value for years to come.

 

19. SEE WHAT THE DEFENCE FORCE BRINGS

 

The Australian Defence Force display is a VAILO Adelaide 500 staple.

This year, fans can see the Army’s new National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) from 16 Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, which is based at Woodside Barracks, as well as high-tech Air Force equipment from the RAAF Base Edinburgh.

Don’t forget to look up too – the Air Force Roulettes are back at the event to perform their synchronised moves in a PC-21 aerobatics display on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

And of course, the F/A-18F Super Hornet will make its traditional Saturday and Sunday afternoon flyovers before the main Supercars races.

 

20. CATCH UP WITH THE KINDIG CREW

 

After falling in love with the Adelaide 500 last year (and who wouldn’t?), Dave Kindig and Kevin Schiele from US TV show Kindig Customs are back to spend more time with fans.

Coincidentally, Kindig It Customs is celebrating 25 years too, and you can catch up with the two at signing sessions and a live Q&A session during the weekend.

 

21. EAT SOME CAKE

 

With a plethora of food vendors to be around the precinct in 2024, there’ll be something sweet to eat to celebrate 25 years.

Grab a slice of cake or a doughnut after indulging in one of the many savoury options on offer.

 

22. GET A GROUP TOGETHER

 

A special occasion is best shared with friends and family so get a group together on one or all four days of the event.

General Admission ticketholders can roam all day then get together for the concerts at night at the Concert Oval.

Grandstand ticketholders can catch up between races in the Gold Zone, behind the Barry Sheene Pit Straight grandstand.

Or, your group can buy tickets to shared hospitality suites, such as the Adelaide BMW Cabana Club, which has live music during the day that will really create the party atmosphere.

 

23. VENTURE INTO SUPERCARS PADDOCK

 

Purchasing a paddock pass will let you roam behind the pit garages, where you can see the teams at work, check out the truck transporters up close, or maybe even run into a driver.

It’s also a great place to watch the on-track action from, so if you’ve never done it, grab a ticket at the entry point and take your time wandering through.

 

24. FALL IN LOVE WITH A CLASSIC V8

 

Over the past 25 years, many classic, everyday and novelty vehicles have been on display, including historic and championship winning Supercars, cars from movies and heritage vehicles such as Jaguars and Chevrolets.

V8 engines are at the heart of the Supercars championship, so for 25 years, owners of everyday and classic V8 vehicles were invited to put their pride and joys on display at V8 Nation.

 

25. WITNESS THE FINALE OF THE SUPERCARS CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON

 

Last, but definitely not least, is seeing the 2024 Supercars champion crowned on the streets of Adelaide.

After the chequered flag has waved after two gruelling 250km races on Saturday and Sunday, the driver who has scored the most points across the season’s 12 rounds will receive their trophy in Pit Straight – and their own celebration on track will not be one to miss.