Start your engines: Dragway at the Bend will open this weekend

The biggest drag race meet in South Australian history is set to be held at Tailem Bend this weekend.

Up to 15,000 people per day are expected to come and watch more than 350 of Australia’s fastest cars and motorbikes at the Bend Motorsport Park on Saturday and Sunday.

The first round of the new National Drag Racing Championship will launch a new era for Australian motor sport.

It will also mark the official opening of the $30 million dragway at the Bend Motorsport Park.

“This is poised to be one of the biggest weekends in South Australian drag racing history,” venue CEO Alistair MacDonald said.

“We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of all the teams, officials and spectators to the dragway.

“This venue is a credit to the Shahin family (its owners) and, as to be expected, will present to a world-class standard when the Spring Nationals kick off.”

Before that, though, there’ll be a party to be had.

Tailem Bend’s main street, Railway Terrace, will come alive from 4.30 to 8pm this Friday, with car displays by the Tailem Bend Auto Club, racing driver appearances, food and live music.

Coorong Mayor Paul Simmons encouraged locals and tourists to come and enjoy the atmosphere.

“We look forward to welcoming visitors,” he said.

“The dragway is a win for not only the motor sport park, but also our surrounding regions, accommodation providers and local businesses.”

Down at the track, the big show will feature at least seven top fuel dragster teams, plus top doorslammers, top fuel motorcycles and pro stock motorcycles, among other racing categries.

Qualifying will be from 9am-9pm on Saturday, and elimination races from 9am-5pm on Sunday.

Off-track entertainment will include JB Motorcycle Stunts, aerobatics by the legendary Chris Sperou and Lyndon Tretherway, beats by DJ Ash, plus Bumbles the clown and free face painting for kids.

State taxpayers contributed $2 million to the construction of the venue, which former Premier Steven Marshall predicted would generate $13 million worth of economic activity in the Murraylands each year.

Its first major race meeting was originally scheduled for March, but had to be postponed as the venue would not quite have been ready in time.

This weekend’s drag racing meet won’t quite be the first one at the former River View Raceway since 1979 – after all, it has hosted test runs as part of a national Harley-Davidson rally and a Street Machine event in recent weeks.

But it will be special.

Don’t forget your earplugs.

• Tickets: From $45 at www.outix.co.

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