NAPA Speedway proved a raging success at last year’s Supercars event in Adelaide and returns again in an improved format for 2025.
It was evolution rather than revolution for the South Australian Motorsport Board (SAMSB) team after the successful inaugural running of NAPA Speedway last year as it gathered crucial information on how to add to the experience of the activation.
Given the 2024 edition of NAPA Speedway was largely a leap into the unknown for the SAMSB, the focus for the upcoming second running has been to gauge feedback and act on it to build on what is planned to be a regular fixture at future bp Adelaide Grand Finals.
“For 2025, we’ve reflected on the improvements needed from last year and put those in place,” explained SAMSB’s commercial director Rebecca Lawson.
“Because it was the inaugural event last year, we just didn’t know from a spectator numbers perspective, how the viewing, food and beverage was to work out. Although it was an amazing atmosphere, we do know there are improvements.
“We’ve added grandstand seating to elevate the viewing, we’ve re-looked at the layout of the paddock in addition to food and beverage providers, so I think the overall spectator experience will benefit from us going into a second year now.”
Expect more track action as well at NAPA Speedway in 2026 as the schedule is expanded to three nights.
“The other thing we realised was we have this great track, and we can probably do more racing on it, so we’ve expanded to a three-night schedule starting on Wednesday November 26,” added Lawson.
“We’ll be also using NAPA Speedway on Saturday and Sunday for more of the junior classes. The inclusion of the NAPA Speedway Junior Cup Invitational adds more to the paddock and the size, so it really will be bigger and better.”
Feedback was extremely positive surrounding the activation as NAPA Speedway did what it set out to do – introduce new fans to the event in addition to providing exposure to both Supercars and speedway.
“Fans praised the atmosphere and the entertainment value of NAPA Speedway,” said Lawson.
“I think that was something to come through loud and clear from last year. I think many fans were talking about coming back in 2025 before last year’s event was even finished. After the Thursday night, there was just such a great hype and vibe about it – a positive atmosphere surrounding it.
“The feedback from the drivers was particularly strong, especially during the event. I believe everyone enjoyed the concept and given having a temporary speedway track in the heart of the Adelaide CBD is something that’s not really been done before, it was a successful activation, and we’re excited to have it return in 2025.”
Lawson pointed to the hordes of Supercars drivers and team personnel in attendance across both nights last year as further success of the integration between the two
“Supercars fans, drivers and teams all came over to have a look, which displayed a great camaraderie between the two disciplines,” said Lawson.
The development of NAPA Speedway will continue in 2025 as the SAMSB aims to further enhance the experience based on the feedback provided.
“We know there has been information passed on to further improve the event of which we have really listened to that,” Lawson emphasised.
“We have put in place well ahead of the event things that we think will improve and bring fans back again including the additional night of racing, grandstand seating, increased prize money to $110,000.”
NAPA Speedway will again form 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.
