The Bend continues to set the standard for track construction in this country as the latest facility to be built for this purpose and it has been more than a decade since the initial plans were approved.
Located in the small rural town of Tailem Bend, the facility was once the proving ground for Mitsubishi and the 680-hectare site was purchased by the Peregrine Corporation led by the Shahin family, owners of the On The Run chain of petrol stations.
Planning approval from South Australia’s Development Assessment Commission in 2015 paved the way for Australia’s most advanced motorsport facility to be constructed, with the aim of being completed in 2017.
The project was estimated to cost $80 million of which $7.5 million was contributed by the State and Federal Government.
Fast forward a decade to now and The Bend hosts motorsport events all-year round, accommodation includes a hotel, caravan park and trackside camping, the layout is the second longest permanent circuit in the world at 7.77km for the full GT configuration, 34 pit garages, drag strip and much more.
Racing at the circuit commenced in 2018 when the Shannons Nationals and Supercars both successful hosted rounds at the venue.
The Bend is one of only four circuits in Australia to hold a FIA Grade 2 track licence and one of two to carry a FIM Category A track licence.
Supercars hosts its pre-Bathurst enduro event at The Bend for the second time this season and will use the shorter West Circuit instead of the regular International version.
Events outside of Supercars to be held at the venue include the Asian Le Mans Series in 2020, Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia and the World Superbike Championship from next year.
The Bend continues to be Australia’s leading motorsport venue and is here to stay.