Mallala Motorsport Park will be commemorating its 60th anniversary in style later this month with the South Australian circuit to host a two day ‘Mallala Masters’ event. 

Since its opening in 1961, the popular circuit has hosted many iconic events, such as the Australian Grand Prix and 14 Australian Touring Car Championship/Supercars, as well as being the state’s oldest permanent racing venue currently open.

More recently Mallala has been the home for the Motorsport Australia SA State Circuit Championships - a title it shares with the newly built Bend Motorsport Park. 

Some of those categories to feature in the Mallala Masters range from super sprint categories, combined sedans and prototypes to the ever-popular Hyundai Excels.

With a 35-car field of Excels already locked in for the race meeting, the grassroots category will be one of the headline acts as competitors battle it out for the hallmark Ryan Pannowitch Memorial Trophy.

In celebration of the anniversary, there will also be a special display of classic Mallala-specific vehicles and RAAF/aviation aircrafts in honour of the World War Two air base that occupied the area before being converted into the track. 

Photo: John Lemm

Managing Director of Mallala Motorsport Park and The Bend Motorsport Park Sam Shahin was looking forward to celebrating a circuit that was arguably the spiritual home of motorsport in the state.

“I first visited Mallala in the 1980s as an avid Motorsport fan, in awe of the facility that was one of the best in its heyday,” Shahin said.

“There were grandstands full of spectators and a genuine buzz that left me dreaming of being part of that exciting world one day.  

“Mallala is a special venue to South Australian motorsport fans and we are going to celebrate that in the best possible way this August.”   

Mallala’s history is one that will always be full of memorable moments.

From hosting the state’s final Australian Grand Prix in 1961 prior to the 1985 arrival of Formula One, to Peter Brock’s final South Australian event on his 1997 retirement tour – the list of memories there for any South Australian racing fan is endless. 

The event will form part of the huge fortnight of motorsport in the state, which will also include The Bend Classic over the Fathers’ Day weekend.