Adelaide International Raceway Short Circuit
Adelaide International Raceway Short Circuit Note:
Adelaide International Raceway (AIR) was located in Virginia, approximately 16 miles north of Adelaide, South Australia. Built by businessman Keith Williams, the circuit opened on January 9, 1972, and featured a 2.41-kilometer road circuit, a 0.8-kilometer speedway oval, and a dedicated drag strip. The track was envisaged as a direct successor to nearby Mallala, which Williams also owned.
From 1972 to 1988, Adelaide International Raceway was South Australia's major motor racing circuit, hosting top-level touring car racing and drag events. With its 920-meter long front straight, it was always intended for top-level drag racing. The facility was eventually purchased by the Bob Jane Corporation in 1979. Today, the oval and road circuits still exist, but drag racing and drifting are now the primary activities rather than traditional road racing.
Short Circuit Note:
The Short Circuit at Adelaide International Raceway represented a compact layout configuration at this closed South Australian facility that operated as Adelaide's premier permanent circuit before closure. The Short designation indicated reduced distance compared to the full circuit, serving events requiring less demanding characteristics or allowing higher track utilization through shorter lap times. Adelaide International Raceway served South Australian motorsport community until eventual closure with subsequent property redevelopment.
Adelaide International Raceway's Short Circuit provided alternative layout option during the facility's operational period serving Adelaide-area motorsport with varied configuration choices. South Australian climate created year-round racing potential during the venue's active years. The Short Circuit configuration served club racing and events requiring compact layouts at this facility that operated for decades before closure, representing an era of Adelaide motorsport infrastructure that ended with the circuit's shutdown and redevelopment.
