The Bend Announced as the Opening Round of 2023-24 National Drag Racing Championship

South Australia has secured the opening round of the National Drag Racing Championship featuring the Burson Auto-Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship.

The series will host its opening round at the new world-class Dragway at The Bend in South Australia on October 21-22 2023, followed by a further two rounds to be hosted by The Bend on January 13-14 2024, and April 6-7 2024.

The announcement brings an end to the nearly 20-year absence of the world’s fastest accelerating machines from South Australia.

Securing the opening round is an incredible coup for The Bend and for regional South Australia with the completion of the new Dragway set to contribute heavily to the economic activity in the region currently driven by The Bend Motorsport Park. The opening round of the Burson Auto-parts Australian Top Fuel Championship at The Bend will kick off with a street party in Tailem Bend on October 20.

The opening round of the Top Fuel championship joins several international and national events on The Bend’s 2023 calendar. The positioning of The Bend as one of the premier sports and entertainment precincts continues to attract significant events that drive tourism and employment in the region.

World-renowned brands such as Michelin, Ferrari, Porsche and Lamborghini will host international events at the venue alongside Australia’s top-flight two- and four-wheel motorsport categories in the Supercars Championship and the Australian Superbikes.

The event is proudly supported by the South Australian Tourism Commission. Last year, major events at The Bend contributed in excess of $14 million of economic benefit to the state.

The Bend Motorsport Park chief executive officer Alistair MacDonald, CEO welcomed the return of drag racing.

“We cannot understate how excited we are for the fans of Drag Racing and the people of South Australia to have a new home for the sport right here at The Bend," Mr MacDonald said.

"To see the $35 million investment by the Shahin family through the Peregrine Corporation supported by the key stakeholders in Drag Racing and the government is fantastic for the state and the region.

"We look forward to seeing you all at The Bend in October.”