25th year celebrations announced for the VAILO Adelaide 500

Legends will unite, historic race cars will be on display, iconic history will be showcased, and memories will be shared to celebrate 25 years of the VAILO Adelaide 500 in 2024.

 

A star-studded list of former Supercars race winners and much-loved drivers who competed at the 1999 Sensational Adelaide 500 event will return to the Adelaide Street Circuit from 14 – 17 November 2024.

 

2024 ‘Fanbassador’ Greg Murphy and inaugural 1999 race winner Craig Lowndes will join Steve Richards, Jason Bargwanna, Glenn Seton, John Bowe and World Motorcycle Champion Wayne Gardner to celebrate the VAILO Adelaide 500’s history.

 

Included in the festivities will be a special 1999 reunion photo prior to Saturday’s 250km race, reuniting the names who took part in the inaugural 2-day 500km event, where Craig Lowndes scored a spectacular last to first victory.

 

Some of the most memorable cars from the 1999 grid will be the centre piece of the new Pub in the Park, a must visit destination for all ticket holders for relaxation, entertainment and adrenaline.

 

Situated directly opposite the concert site, Pub in the Park allows enthusiasts to get up close to the history making cars of the VAILO Adelaide 500 including Wayne Gardner’s Coca-Cola Commodore VT which he drove to 14th place in the inaugural Sensational Adelaide 500 in 1999, and Jason Bargwanna’s Valvoline Commodore VT which competed in the same race, and finished second overall when he returned in the 2000 event.

 

The returning drivers will also appear at Stage 25, in Pub in the Park  to take a trip down memory lane with Q and A sessions across the event, with all legendary drivers also due to attend the 25 Years Legends Luncheon on Thursday 14 November, with fans still able to purchase remaining tickets to the unique event.

 

Crowds can also go ALL IN for some Pub Grub and groove to live music from TOM N ROSE and Tommy Tequila, with Pub in the Park open every day of the 2024 VAILO Adelaide 500.

 

The addition of the Memorabilia Hub will allow fans to revisit the nostalgic moments that made the VAILO Adelaide 500 universally loved with its on-track action.

 

At Winning Impressions, fans can see hand moulds being taken before all past race-winners of the event are celebrated with their own mould and displayed from 2025.

 

Patrons can also get involved in sharing their favourite memories of the VAILO Adelaide 500 by sending in their photos at adelaide500.com.au, with a selection to be displayed at the Canon Fan Wall of Memories in the Fast Lane at the event

 

South Australian Motor Sport Board CEO Mark Warren said: “The VAILO Adelaide 500 has created a magnificent legacy since its inaugural event in 1999 and one which deserves to be celebrated in style with the fans.

 

“So much history has been created here in Adelaide, so we’re excited to provide attendees with the opportunity to revisit some of the most sensational moments along with providing some new ways to experience the motorsport mecca we’ve created.

 

“Everyone carries their own special memories of the VAILO Adelaide 500 and I’m excited to see everyone’s personal contribution on the Canon Fan Wall of Memories. It’ll be a testament to the positive impact this event has had on South Australians and the wider motorsport community over the last 25 years.”