The old SDCC Lanac Park Circuit, popular for Autocross
SPEED EVENTS Continued... Sprint (Drags): An event on a sealed or unsealed surface, usually conducted on a permanent circuit, track or dragway. If you want to hit there strip in Adelaide the most popular option is the Adelaide International Raceway (AIR). Located on Port Wakefield Road, Virginia it has been in operation since 1972 and regular “Street to Strip” events are held here. So if you want to see what your car can do over the ¼ this is probably the best place to go. Some events are also run out at Tailem Bend but generally only allow a single car to run at a time (for now at least).
Currently the only track near Adelaide for supersprints is Mallala, various clubs and groups run events there with the WRXSA club championship rounds run by the Porsche Club South Australia.
Turn 1 at Mallala
Supersprint A multiple vehicle speed event conducted on a suitably-licensed sealed circuit in which a maximum of two vehicles may start simultaneously. After a suitable interval, additional vehicles in pairs or singularly may start. The maximum number of vehicles permitted on the track at any one time for a Supersprint is determined by the track itself (noted the Track Licence). Overtaking between vehicles is permitted but competitive “racing” between vehicles is not permitted. Elapsed times and not relative positions at the finish line determine event placing’s.
There has been one resent exception however, as part of the 2014 Adelaide Motorsport Festival opened up a portion of the Victoria Park / Clipsal Circuit to a select number of racers. Considering the success of the event there is a very good chance that we will see it return in 2015, hopefully giving more people access to this nice little course. This SA track monopoly is set to be shaken with the development of the SA Motorsport Park at Tailem Bend. While we are still waiting on the final track layout to be announced we have been told that it will be a fast and flowing 5km course featuring multiple configurations including the option for it to operate as two completely independent tracks. On top of this there will be a Group 1 drag strip, burnout pad, rally track, 4WD adventure park and go kart circuit. This new facility is scheduled to have its first race meeting before the end of 2015.
Autocross Autocross is a type of event involving timed laps of an earth, grass, gravel or similar circuit (although some sealed surfaces may be included when the event is conducted on a permanent circuit) by day or night or both. Being timed over a distance of more than 200 metres, it falls within the definition of a “speed event”, but racing as such is not permitted in Autocross. However, for convenience, it is permitted to have up to three cars on the circuit at the one time, provided that the circuit is of adequate length and that they are widely spaced, separately started and individually timed. The only Adelaide Autocross events are run by the Southern Districts or Walkerville All Car Clubs. These are all dirt / gravel based and if you have a suitable car it can be an exciting day (and night!) of racing and is a good introduction to Rally Sprints and the like.