Adelaide's East End springs into life with rally finale

The Shannons Adelaide Rally today officially launched the East End Finale, a free family festival celebrating the conclusion of the four-day tarmac rally, which runs from November 25-28.

The Adelaide Rally is part of the South Australian Tourism Commission’s Bloom program of spring events, and will be one of the first events featuring interstate participants following the opening of state borders on November 23.

South Australian Tourism Commission chief executive Rodney Harrex said the expanded Adelaide Rally as part of Bloom will showcase Australia's most liveable city and its timing is impeccable.

“Kicking off the expanded Adelaide Rally just two days after our state’s borders open to our key domestic markets is sensational news for drivers, crews, visitors and tourism and hospitality operators across the East End,” said Mr Harrex.

“We’re expecting around 12,000 spectators across the four days of the event, which is part of our new Bloom collective of springtime events, and is set to inject more than $1 million into South Australia’s visitor economy.” 

The State Government has committed to supporting the event for 2021 and 2022 continuing a long history of government support for this form of Motorsport since the first Classic Adelaide Rally in 1997.

With close to 400 cars entered, the Rally is the largest tarmac event of its type, traversing up to 13 council areas. It includes rare, exotic, classic and purpose-built competition machines. New for this year is a prize pool of $25,000, including the $10,000 Adelaide Tourist Trophy, which goes to the highest placed interstate team and has attracted some of the country’s leading tarmac crews.

The four day rally comes to an exciting conclusion in the East End from 3pm on Sunday 28 November with the East End Finale.

The field will converge on the East End, pass through the finishing arch and receive their official medallions. All of the rally cars then go on display in East Terrace and Rundle Street and the crews begin their celebrations – and everyone is invited to join in the fun in the vibrant East End precinct.

A large fenced area within Rymill Park forms the hub of the party. The East End Finale is 100% free to enter, with free activities for kids throughout the afternoon and evening, including drifting and race simulators, remote control car racing, video games, face painting and more, all within Rymill Park.

Around 500 cars will be on display, with the massive rally field joined by a custom car show from Horsepower Crew, plus display vehicles from prestige brands including McLaren, BMW, Aston Martin, Mercedes-AMG and more.

The podium presentation for the rally winners begins at 5.30pm, with the winners presented with trophies and cash prizes from the event’s $25,000 prize pool – the Adelaide Rally is the only tarmac event in the country offering cash prizes to attract the best teams to South Australia.

“Tarmac Rally has become synonymous with Adelaide over the last 26 years and we’re excited about sharing the buzz of this event with the people of Adelaide,” said Event Director Tim Possingham.

“The East End Finale is the perfect opportunity for people to get up close to the sensational cars that take part in the Rally and there’s something here for everyone in the East End.”

The East End Finale concludes with a free fireworks display at 8.30pm.

Events details: southaustralia.com/products/adelaide/event/shannons-adelaide-rally