Data shows Clipsal 500 as the most successful V8 supercar race in Australia

The Clipsal 500 Adelaide continues to be the most successful V8 supercar race in Australia, with this year’s event recording its highest economic impact of $65.6 million.

Newly released data shows the event resulted in 72,234 visitor bed nights – one of the highest on record – despite extreme weather.

For the first time the race was promoted by the South Australian Government through marketing campaigns in New Zealand where there is huge interest from motor racing fans who follow the series.

The 2016 attendance figure was 263,500 - with more than 13,500 people travelling from interstate. The event also recorded its second highest Thursday attendance of 44,100.

The Clipsal 500 Adelaide was broadcast to an audience of nearly 300 million people – with an estimated media value of more than $179.5 million internationally – up on the 2015 media value of $167 million.

Held in Adelaide for the past 17 years, the event offers a wide range of entertainment and auto-oriented events while its popular schools program this year attracted nearly 3000 students and teachers from a record 56 schools.

New super-screens were installed and all grandstands were upgraded for this year’s event, with 62% of grandstand seats sold by last July, and more than 95% sold by the end of the event. Clipsal by Schneider Electric are naming rights sponsor for the event and have been for the past 16 years.

Commenting on the event’s performance, South Australian Tourism Minister Leon Bignell stated “the State Government is committed to growing the visitor economy and these figures vindicate the increased effort we put into the 2016 Clipsal 500.

“The national and international exposure the event generates for our state is huge. It gives a huge shot in the arm to our hotels, restaurants, local attractions and regions.”

The Clipsal 500 Adelaide is Australia’s largest ticketed domestic motor sport event.

For more information visit www.clipsal500.com.au

Images show fans and action from the 2016 Clipsal 500. Courtesy of Clipsal 500/Facebook.

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