Dates revealed for 2019 Adelaide 500

The Adelaide 500 will again host the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship opener next year, on February 28 to March 3.

Races 1 and 2 of the 2019 season around the iconic street circuit will also feature the Supercars debut of Ford’s new factory-backed Mustang.

Ford Performance in the US, DJR Team Penske and Tickford Racing are currently developing the package replacing the venerable Falcon in 2019.

“As one of the country’s largest and most successful major events, the Adelaide 500 is one of the standouts of our racing season each year,” Supercars CEO Sean Seamer said.

“The incredible range of entertainment on and off track as part of a month of festivities in Adelaide sets it apart as a great celebration for the City.

“The return of the iconic Mustang will only add to this incredible event.”

Adelaide joined the calendar in 1999 and only twice since 2002 – in ’10 and ’11 – has it not hosted the first races of the Supercars season.

More than 273,000 people attended this year’s opener on what has become a traditional early-March date, as the event celebrated its 20th year.

Shane van Gisbergen won both races for the Red Bull Holden Racing Team, while a Sunday evening performance from Robbie Williams headlined the off-track entertainment.

“Rivalry on the racetrack is all part of the beauty of motorsport and we expect the active return of Ford will bring out some passionate drivers and spectators to our city circuit,” SA Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, David Ridgway, said.

“The biggest motorsport and entertainment events belong right here in SA - retaining the coveted season-opener is great for the State.

“We are delighted to announce race dates for 2019 and look forward to welcoming fans from all over to witness racing history.”

The first grandstand tickets are now on sale through the event’s Club 500 program, with the balance and general admission released later this year.