Image: Adelaide Rally
Brendan Lines
December 6, 2019
As cars in the Adelaide Rally race across the state, motorsport fans will be able to take a more casual pace getting up close to the machines tonight at the Gouger Street Party 2019.
The fan favourite event will see all of this year’s entrants park their machines in Adelaide’s west-end restaurant district to celebrate motorsport in the city of Adelaide.
Previously a feature of the for now scaled back Adelaide Motorsport Festival, the Gouger Street Party has been retained, but for the first time ever it will be a fully licensed event.
Allowing for more casual fans and die-hards alike to enjoy the event says rally spokesperson and keen racer Tim Possingham.
“ One thing we have seen in previous years is that the crowds are incredibly diverse. We obviously have the car enthusiasts coming along, but we also see city workers joining in for the buzz in the street, families with young kids and lots of people who become the car enthusiasts of the future as a result of seeing not just the beauty, power and style of the cars, but also the camaraderie and carnival atmosphere of the event.”
Attracting near 43 000 visitors over the three days of last year’s event, it’s a boon for local business as traders and sponsors invest more towards the bustling crowds says Possingham.
“This year our sponsors, Amadio Wines, will be operating their pop-up Ruby’s Wine Bar and the entire street is licensed, so people can check out the field of more than 250 rally cars with a glass of wine in hand.
“The Gouger St Traders Association are preparing for the crowds with all restaurants offering extended al fresco dining, plus there will be star drivers, live music, and even an appearance from Adelaide’s own supercar, the Brabham BT62,” he said.
Another home grown racing legend in attendance will be Formula 1 World Champion Alan Jones who is competing in a McLaren 720s Spider.
Jones who raced at the first Australian Formula One Grand Prix in Adelaide in 1985, said to The Advertiser Adelaide continues its good reputation for hosting motorsport events.
“Adelaide is big enough to hold it and do it properly, but small enough to embrace it on a more personal basis,” he said.
The Gouger Street party kicks-off tonight from 5.30pm.
Grandprixnet.com 