Local teen's 'life changing' Adelaide debut
The VALO Adelaide 500 can’t come quick enough for local racer Blake Purdie.
Born and raised in Adelaide, Purdie is relishing the chance to race on his home turf when Supercars returns to the infamous street circuit across December 1-4.
The S5000 Tasman Series will make its maiden trip to Adelaide next month as one of five support categories on the undercard for the final event of the 2022 Repco Supercars Championship.
Along with the V8-powered open wheelers, Supercars will be supported by the Dunlop Super2 Series, Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia Powered by AWS, Gulf Western Oil Touring Car Masters, and the Battery World Aussie Racing Cars Super Series.
The weekend marks S5000’s debut at the South Australian event, heralding the return of fast open-wheel cars to the Adelaide Parklands circuit.
The iconic venue first delivered the Formula One World Championship racing to Australia in 1985.
The event also marks a first for local teenager Purdie, who will make his S5000 debut in Adelaide.
"It's been a while since I've actually raced," Purdie told Supercars.com.
"But I feel more prepared than ever to come back, especially being my home track.
"I've only been to one street circuit which was Bathurst, which was pretty hectic with all the walls, but Adelaide has been resurfaced, so I don't think it'll be as hectic.
Purdie made is S5000 debut at Mount Panorama last November
"I'm still really keen to get up close to the walls and stuff.
"I'm excited for my first event at my local racetrack in South Australia, especially running Nippy's on the car, that will be awesome."
Purdie made his S5000 debut last November, following competing in Australian Formula 3 and Prototype Series racing.
The 17-year-old had an impressive karting career including several state titles and success in the 250cc Superkart competition.
The rising star, who completed an evaluation day aboard an Erebus Motorsport Supercar earlier this year, grew up attending the iconic street race.
"I've been to the Adelaide 500 so many times, ever since I was a kid," he said.
"It's pretty much life-changing to actually be racing here, it's awesome.
"This will be the first event where I've actually got some local people to cheer me on as well."
Adelaide will be the final event in a three-round, nine-race series that will decide the 2022 Tasman Series Champion.
It comes after the S5000 Series made its street circuit debut at the Bost Mobile Gold Coast 500 earlier this month.
Nathan Herne won all three races across the weekend, with the category also debuting its push-to-pass system.
A 20-minute qualifying session will set the grid for Race 1 on Friday. CLICK HERE to view the track schedule.
There will be one race for S5000 on Saturday and Sunday.
The S5000 Tasman Series returns at the VALO Adelaide 500 this December 1-4.
Tickets for the VALO Adelaide 500 are now on sale via Ticketek and Supercars.com.
