The Bend announced as the opening round of 2023-24 National Drag Racing Championship

Today the Hon. Stephen Mullighan MP announced that 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 will host their 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 20th and limited grandstand and corporate tickets will go on sale today at 11AM ACST with General Admission tickets available in July. 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. Alistair MacDonald, CEO The Bend Motorsport Park: “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. 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.” The Hon. Stephen Mullighan MP, Treasurer of South Australia: "South Australians have missed out on top-class drag racing for too long, and this new facility at The Bend Motorsport Park will fuel our passionate motorsport community. Motorsport events have proven to be an essential part of our economy, attracting visitors from interstate and overseas, and providing a boost to SA hotels, restaurants and regions." Andrew Lopez, National Drag Racing Championship “To start our season at a track that is poised to become one of the best in Australia if not the World is a credit to The Bend and the Shahin family.” “To bring the pinnacle of our sport back to South Australia is incredible for our competitors, fans and partners and the excitement amongst the drag racing community is incredible.” “We can’t wait to entertain fans at The Dragway at The Bend and showcase our sport to those who have been starved of it for so long as well share it with the next generation of supporters.” Tickets are on-sale now via thebend.com.au The Bend 2023/2024 National Drag Racing Championship dates: Round 1 – Dragway at The Bend– 21-22 October 2023 – featuring Top Fuel, Top Fuel Motorcycle, Top Doorslammer, Pro Stock Motorcycle, plus Sportsman Western Conference racing. Round 5 – Dragway at The Bend – 13-14 January 2024 – featuring Nitro Funny Car, Top Fuel Motorcycle, Top Doorslammer, Pro Alcohol, plus Sportsman Western Conference racing. Round 9 – Dragway at The Bend – 6-7 April 2024 – featuring Top Fuel, Top Doorslammer and Pro Stock, plus the Sportsman National Grand Final.