Adelaide Rally 2019
Rally Numbers
- 3 free community events
- 320 total cars entered
- 170 competition kilometres
- 30 closed-road stages
- 500 metres of full-throttle action in the CBD on Saturday afternoon
- 4 days of competition
- 3 days of touring
- 71 years – the oldest car in the field
Motorsport fans are in for a smorgasbord of sights, sounds and super cars this week as the 2019 Shannons Adelaide Rally gets under way.
More than 320 cars will take part in the Rally, which is run on closed-road stages in the Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu Peninsula and in the CBD of Adelaide.
Cars taking part range from legendary vehicles from the World Rally Championship in years gone by, classic and modern competition cars, and a diverse collection of vehicles dating from the 1940s to the latest exotic supercars.
Competition cars hit the road on Wednesday December 4. On Thursday December 5 the field swells to its full extent, with the one-day Prima Tour and three-day Main Tour categories joining in, along with manufacturer groups such as BMW, Zagame Automotive, Solitaire Audi and Aston Martin.
Likewise, the people behind the wheel are a cross section of the motoring world, including 1980 Formula One World Champion Alan Jones, former WRC driver and British Rally Champion Alister McRae, Bathurst podium placegetters from 2019 James Courtney and Jack Perkins, and Adelaide Supercars drivers Tim Slade and Todd Hazelwood. Joining them are enthusiasts of all kinds, ages and backgrounds.
This year’s event is a bonanza for motorsport enthusiasts, with three free community events that enable fans to get up close to the cars and drivers.
On Friday December 6, the Amadio Wines Gouger Street Party brings the entire field to the vibrant restaurant precinct from 5:30pm. It’s after work drinks with a difference in the city, as the entire street is licenced for the first time, so people can check out the cars with a glass of wine in hand, with live music setting a festive tone.
Restaurants have extended al fresco dining to cater for the crowds, and Amadio Wines will be serving their wines from Ruby’s popup bar. An exclusive lager, Adelaide Rally E-45, will also be on sale from Ruby’s – the only time it will be available to the public.
On Saturday December 7, the rally field stops for lunch at the National Motor Museum in Birdwood. The grassy parkland setting of the museum is a great way for families to see the cars and talk to their drivers, and the Museum’s extensive collection is free to enter for everyone all day.
Then, after four intense days and nearly 170 competition kilometres, the Adelaide Rally will conclude in style with a full-throttle finale party in the East End, on tarmac made famous as part of the former Adelaide Formula One street circuit.
From 2:30pm the full field of more that 250 rally cars will complete the Rally with an action-packed Super Special Stage on Rundle Road. The Super Special Stage is a 500-metre blast that is tight and technical, demanding acceleration and agility and delivering a spectacle of sights and sounds. Cars from across the decades will strut their stuff before receiving their medallions under the finish arch on East Terrace.
Event Director Tim Possingham estimates it will take almost three hours for the field to complete the Super Special Stage. “We’ve got genuine World Rally Championship and Group B cars that really need to be heard to be believed, the latest exotic supercars, classic competition cars from across decades of motorsport, plus a huge variety of sports cars, muscle cars – all wanting to put on a show to finish the event.”
Spectators will be able to view the action along the full length of the course.
All of the Adelaide Rally vehicles will then be on display, along with a mini-village of new vehicles from Ferrari Adelaide, Lamborghini, McLaren, Bentley and Lotus from Zagame Automotive Group, Mercedes-AMG, BMW, MINI, Škoda and more.
Also on display after appearing on the track, Australian F1 champion Alan Jones will drive the spectacular new McLaren 720S Spider and the Driftsquid, Jake Jones, will give a masterclass in the art of driving sideways in his 1000hp BMW M3.
There will be off-track activities for all ages, including the Shannons Super Rig, an off-road remote-control car course, multiple slot car racetracks, racing simulators, and displays from Horsepower Crew and the Street Machine Association of South Australia, with live music from blues/rock band Ambush and tunes from deejay Driller Jet Armstrong throughout the afternoon and into the evening.
NOLA Adelaide will operate a pop-up food and wine zone, plus of course the entire East End restaurant precinct provides plenty of options for all tastes.
Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, David Ridgway said the State Government is proud to be supporting the Shannons Adelaide Rally, which brings together more than 300 cars, their drivers and navigators to our city and around 30,000 spectators.
“This event will add to the buzz we see every summer in South Australia, and reinforce Adelaide as a must-visit holiday destination.
“South Australia’s visitor economy is at a record $7.6 billion and it is events such as these that will continue to drive this positive growth,” Mr Ridgway said.
Three free events, four days of intense motorsport, 320 vehicles and thousands of fans – it all adds up to a fantastic week of high-octane action. More information for spectators can be found at the Adelaide Rally website https://www.adelaiderally.com.au/spectators
For further information, contact Tim Possingham on 0417 171 730 or [email protected]
