World News – AU – COVID-19 marks the end of the Adelaide 500 supercar race after 21 years

The Adelaide 500 supercar race will not restart, ending what was the biggest street race on the Australian calendar for over 20 years

Next year’s event was going to be the last under the existing contract, but it was dropped due to the coronavirus pandemic

SATC chief executive Rodney Harrex said all avenues to keep the event alive have been explored

« Ultimately, given the current circumstances, we are unable to guarantee a sustainable and prosperous future for the event for next year and beyond, » said M Harrex

« Due to the high level of uncertainty around the event’s ability to run in 2021, its likely impact on the event for the mainstream and commercial market, and the fan’s long-term decline motorsport, a decision has been made that it will not be possible to organize the race next year, and not to seek a contract for the coming years « 

Prime Minister and Tourism Minister Steven Marshall said the decision to cancel next year’s event was taken with careful consideration

« The Superloop Adelaide 500 has been an event icon for over 20 years, » said M Marshall

« COVID-19 has presented significant challenges for the events industry, and uncertainty and other factors are becoming an insurmountable hurdle in the difficult situation to organize a successful race

« We remain a strong supporter of motorsport and will act quickly to assess all options for future motorsport events » The Adelaide 500 was one of the biggest events on the South Australian calendar, attracting hundreds thousands of spectators at the race(ABC Radio Adelaide)

The 2020 event drew the smallest audience since 2003, with just over 206,000 people over the four days of the event

Several factors have been blamed on the recession, including the bushfires, the coronavirus pandemic and the demise of Australian manufacturing and the traditional Holden v Ford rivalry

« If at any time in the future the South Australian government decides to restart the Adelaide 500, Supercars would be delighted to be there, » organizers said

Former race promoter Mike Drewer told ABC Radio Adelaide’s Drive program that the decision came as no shock

« It doesn’t surprise me that they gave up and obviously things like COVID and the Tailem Bend trail probably provide them with a rationale for doing so, » M said. Drewer

« But I think it’s a real shame; a street circuit really brought the city to life, it was the biggest event

« You talk to all the hotels and accommodations, restaurants – this is a huge event and it has apparently been lost in South Australia’s huge calendar »

SATC says money set aside for the Adelaide 500 will be used for new events

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Clipsal 500 Adelaide, Supercars Championship, 2021, South Australian Tourism Commission