Twist in Adelaide 500 situation

The Adelaide 500 could yet be saved as the fallout from an announcement last week regarding the event’s future continues.

The South Australian Government announced the street circuit would not return in 2021 for the final year of its existing contract with Supercars, nor would a new deal be negotiated.

A Supercars statement at the time in response to the decision made clear that the sport would be “delighted” to revisit the matter if the Government ever had a change of heart.

South Australian opposition leader Peter Malinauskas flew to Sydney yesterday to discuss the situation with Supercars CEO Sean Seamer, with the pair signing a Memorandum of Understanding.

“We are encouraged and grateful for this display of support from the South Australian Labor Party and the wider community that would like to see the Adelaide 500 return in the future,” said Seamer.

“Should the Labor Party win the South Australian election, we are ready to work with them on the re-establishment of the event as outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding.”

The next South Australian state election is set for March 2022.

Adelaide-born driver Todd Hazelwood reacted positively to the MOU on social media: “Not a PR stunt. Just simply understanding the value of this iconic South Australian event.

“Don’t forget to sign the petition everyone, the more noise we can make the better.”

That petition referenced is centred around a push to have the South Australian Government reverse their stance on the future of the Adelaide 500.

Scott Pye had previously spoken about being “gutted” by the loss of the historic event.