Perfect weather conditions combined with high adrenaline action both on and off the track helped the Clipsal 500 Adelaide see a record breaking crowd on its first day. 44,100 excited fans turned out in force for the opening day, the second highest Thursday attendance in history.
Clipsal 500 Director, Mark Warren said 2016 had been one of the best preparations in recent times and he couldn’t be happier with day one of the event.
“Day one is always a big day for schools. 56 schools attended today which is a record for the event. The new Cars of the Screen display has been a really popular attraction, in particular the tribute 1989 Batmobile and the replica 1985 DeLorean from Back to the Future,” Warren said.
“The weather has been incredibly kind to us this year and it’s fantastic to see so many school kids down here enjoying all the racing and attractions on offer.
“We’ve had one of the best preparations for this year’s event. Everything has gone very smoothly for us in the lead up to the event and today which bodes well for the larger crowds coming through on the weekend,” he said.
The weather wasn’t the only thing heating up today as all seven support categories hit the track for practice sessions on the Adelaide Street Circuit.
All eyes were on the Dunlop Series as 15-year-old sensation Alex Rullo burst onto the scene to become the youngest ever V8 Supercar driver.
Rullo wasn’t the only newcomer to impress as Toby price backed up his incredible Dakar rally performance in a Toyo Tires Stadium Super Truck, however there was plenty of drama in the SST’s with US Racing legend Robby Gordon hitting the wall.
Clipsal 500 Motorsport Spokesperson and HRT Enduro driver Jack Perkins said he could feel the excitement as he walked through the streets of Adelaide to the circuit for the most anticipated race on the V8 Supercar calendar.
“It’s the event that all the drivers and teams rate as their favourite event and they’re not lying, they don’t get paid to say it either because they genuinely enjoy coming here. The hype and the build up around the race is why this event stands alone as one of the best in the country,” Perkins said.
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