Mallala Motorsport Park will celebrate its 60th birthday in style this weekend with more than 130 entries confirmed to compete across the two-day event. 
 
With non-stop track action spread across three categories amongst plenty of car displays and entertainment off track, the event is sure to appeal to motorsport fans of all ages.  
 
Headlining the event is the 60th anniversary supersprint, which will see a huge entry list of 80 cars go against the clock in many sessions across the weekend in order to post the fastest lap time. 
 
From more modern sports cars like the BMW M4 and the Lotus Exige, to classic favourites such as a Shelby Cobra Replica and Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV 2.0 – there will be an array of impressive cars of all types and eras on display throughout the supersprint. 

While the supersprint is the main attraction celebrating Mallala, the Hyundai Excels will produce just as much as an intriguing spectacle with a huge 40-car field to battle it out for the sixth annual Ryan Pannowitch Memorial Trophy (RPMT). 
 
Following six heats spread across both days, the top 20 points scorers will progress to Sunday afternoon’s trophy final, while the remaining drivers will have one last attempt during a qualifier heat in the lead up. 
 
Although the category will be celebrating a record number of entries, a feat impressive in itself due to interstate competitors unable to attend, the quality of drivers is just as strong with a number of heavy hitters confirmed to compete. 
 
Undoubtedly the biggest star on the entry list is four-time Ryan Pannowitch Memorial Trophy winner and 2021 Excels series leader Asher Johnston. 
 
Johnston has enjoyed another terrific year behind the wheel this year, however he will be conscious about many of the other talented steerers looking to stop him from securing a fifth title. 
 
“The RPMT is our Bathurst 1000, it’s become a really special event and it’s the highlight of the calendar,” Johnston said. 
 
“For us it’s probably more important than the overall championship. We put a lot of work into making sure our package is good for this event to give us the best chance to race at the front and put on the best show possible.  
 
“However, the best thing is the way the race has been embraced by the Excel competitors and broader racing community here. Ryan was such a big part of what we did and the Pannowitch family still is to this day. It’s great to share a garage with Sean at every round and race hard just as Ryan did.  
 
“It’s a special event for everyone and win or lose, if we put on a great show and race in the spirit that we all go in with, it will be a good result.”  


 
Johnston’s biggest challengers will come from the likes of teenager Jayden Wanzek, S5000 Australian Drivers’ Championship racer Brayden Willmington and Sean Pannowitch – the brother of the late Ryan Pannowitch.
 
The final category to race throughout the weekend will be the combined sedans with a mixture of Holden HQs and Commodores, Fords and Nissans all expected to put on a show. 
 
Outside of the racing, the car displays available to the public include a variety of South Australian-based touring cars and open wheelers - all of which competed at the circuit in the past. 
 
The event is open to spectators with tickets starting from just $10. 
 
More information about the event can be found here. 
  
The 60th anniversary of Mallala Motorsport Park will take place at the South Australian based circuit on 28-29 August.