Patrick McDonald | Adelaide Now
And the Clipsal action will start the V8 Supercar Championships for years to come.
Premier Jay Weatherill today announced that Adelaide had secured the opening round of the championships for an extra six years, up to and including 2021.
“No matter what happens with the Melbourne Grand Prix, fans will be able to continue to enjoy the V8 Supercars in Adelaide for the long-term,” Mr Weatherill said.
KISS and Motley Crue, who have just completed a US tour together, will perform on the Sunday, March 3, and join a lineup of Australian acts, which includes Adelaide’s Hilltop Hoods on the Friday night, and The Angels and Cold Chisel guitarist Ian Moss on the Saturday.
KISS was approached to perform at the Australian Formula One Grand Prix in Adelaide way back in 1994, but talks fell over.
The band – which comprises original members Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons with new guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer – later opened its Alive 35 world tour at the Melbourne Grand Prix in 2008.
In recent years, former State treasurer Kevin Foley is known to have also pushed for KISS – which has just released a new album called Monster – to play at Clipsal.
The rockers won’t be the only high-octane entertainment on offer at the Clipsal.
US rally car driver and YouTube sensation Ken Block will thrill Adelaide motorsport fans.
The Monster World Rally Team driver was today unveiled as a special guest for all four days of next year’s race.
He will perform on track in his Monster Ford Fiesta in his first visit to Adelaide.
Block started his rally career in 2005 and achieved global fame with his online videos going viral – including vision of his record-setting jump for TV series Stunt Junkies and his Gymkhana videos.
He has also appeared in hit TV show Top Gear.
Mr Weatherill said that this year’s Clipsal 500 had created a total boost to the South Australian economy of $55.5 million, with new expenditure of more than $34 million.