New Adelaide circuit "takes things to another level," says Mark Skaife
New look circuit will be modified for Supercars after MotoGP event
Supercars legend Skaife provided specialist input into revisions
Mark Skaife believes the new look Adelaide street circuit “takes things to another level,” the the layout to be revised for Supercars.
Revealed Sunday, the Adelaide circuit will enter a new era in 2027, courtesy of a reimagined circuit design that will be used by MotoGP and Supercars.
The new look 4.13km, 15-corner street circuit returns elements of the iconic Grand Prix track of the 1980s and 90s including Stag Corner, Rundle Road, Brewery Bend and Dequetteville Terrace.
The new circuit design includes modifications from the reference design released in February.
Skaife, who won the overall Adelaide Supercars event in 2002 and 2003, was pivotal to the circuit redesign.
Per Sunday’s announcement, the proposed circuit design was informed by collaboration between the South Australian Motor Sport Board, Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme, MotoGP and Supercars.
Skaife and former 125cc and 250cc World Champion and current MotoGP Safety Advisor Loris Capirossi also provided specialist input.
The circuit will be modified between the MotoGP and Supercars events to — according to the announcement — "help deliver the close, intense racing that Supercars is known for."
The circuit will have “punishing” kerbs and close concrete walls installed in its Supercars configuration. Key revisions for the Supercars event include the installation of bigger kerbs, reprofiled corners, the removal of gravel traps, and realigned barriers.
Notably, gravel traps will be removed at Turns 2 and 3, with barriers brought in. Turns 10, 11 and 13 will also be reprofiled, which offer overtaking opportunities. The squaring off of Turn 13 slows down Turn 12, which is set to be one of the primary overtaking spots of the circuit.
Skaife maintained the new layout has characteristics of the old Grand Prix circuit and the current layout, which ensure it is “unforgiving” and “really challenging” for Supercars drivers.
"The Adelaide street circuit is simply legendary,” said Skaife, who played a key role in the design and redesign of several circuits in Australia and New Zealand.
"I’m fortunate to say that I raced – and won – around both the original Grand Prix circuit and the current Supercars layout. It’s a hard, fast, combative place with no room for error that requires maximum commitment.
"The new circuit design takes things to another level. It will be super-quick with lots of overtaking opportunities and, in Supercars configuration, the kerbs will be punishing and the walls will be inches away.
"The new Senna Chicane will be unforgiving, Brewery Bend will be epic and the new start-finish section in Victoria Park adds more noise and colour to what is already the best event on the calendar.
"Everything we’re doing in what is in incredibly detailed design process is about delivering a great Supercars track for the next generation of racers. It will be huge.”
Supercars will race on the existing 3.22km layout at the bp Adelaide Grand Final on November 26-29, where this year’s champion will be crowned.
