NAPA Speedway makes its return to the bp Adelaide Grand Final festivities in 2025, following an ultra-successful launch last year.
The debut of NAPA Speedway came after months of planning and consultation between many groups, leading to an event that earned the temporary venue the Innovation/Promotion/Event of the Year award at the Australian Speedway Awards.
Inspired by the likes of the world-famous Chili Bowl Nationals in the United States as well as many local promotions from across the country, the South Australian Motorsport Board (SAMSB) was excited to combine two its home-grown Supercars Street race with a vastly different motoring discipline.
“It was fantastic,” said SAMSB’s commercial director Rebecca Lawson.
“This was something we did have to get across the line; it was a brand-new concept that the team brought to management and started discussions.
“The inaugural year of NAPA Speedway in 2024 was a huge success from our perspective. We had really strong pre-event, walk up crowds and just the overall fan atmosphere was fantastic, so we definitely felt like it delivered on what we wanted.
“However, it was definitely a process to get it over the line and that really started by pulling together a working group that included some of Speedways best innovators from WA, VIC, NT, SA and Speedway Australia in addition to the teams and drivers to make sure we were delivering on what we set out.
“It also came down to having a partner in NAPA as our naming rights supporter for the event, so having all that come to fruition, we were able to work together to deliver on it.”
The transformation of the location within the precinct, which was utilised by the SAMSB for a completely different activation was a challenge, however this brought many groups together to produce an impressive facility.
“There was an organising committee working alongside specialists to build the track and it was a huge undertaking. You have to remember that 12 months before in 2023, that particular location housed the Robbie Williams concert on the Sunday night,” Lawson explained.
“It was a huge undertaking, but we believe the inaugural NAPA Speedway event was worth the effort and it was a tremendous success.”
NAPA Speedway was just one new activation introduced in Adelaide last year as the AUSX Supercross Championship hosted a round alongside the Supercars to provide an entertaining event for motorsport fans.
“There were a few things that brought it about such as the event always pushing to be innovative and to do new things,” Lawson said.
“It’s not a rinse and repeat event, we stop and reflect back on the previous event to see what we can do differently for the future.
“Last year there were two new attractions, one being NAPA Speedway and the other being a points-paying round of the AUSX Supercross Championship.
“In terms of inspiration, the Chili bowl was up there for the team. We viewed how it works in the US and also what High Limits is doing in Perth was also interesting to investigate.”
Bringing these two events in not only allowed for a cross-promotion of the same fan groups attending all three activations but welcome a new crowd to the event – whether it be through Speedway or Supercross.
“We are charged with making the event bigger every year and this means we have to look at ways of bringing new audiences to the event,” Lawson explained.
“This was an interesting proposition as it isn’t necessarily a Supercars audience, but it’s a fresh fan and we saw it delivered last year.
“This can bring a new audience to the event and keep them returning each year.”
NAPA Speedway will once again feature as part of the motorsport mecca at the bp Adelaide Grand Final on November 27-30.
Tickets
General Admission and Grandstand tickets to the bp Adelaide Grand Final, which includes access to NAPA Speedway, are now available! Plus, elevate your experience with a 3-Day Grandstand seat at the NAPA Speedway. Tickets on sale now.
