Shell V-Power Motorsport Park has today announced that this year’s AirTouch 500 at The Bend will debut on the shorter West Circuit alongside the release of their first infield campground on pit straight, giving fans the chance to stay trackside in one of the most immersive Supercars experiences in the country. Shell V-Power Motorsport Park Managing Director Dr. Sam Shahin said that the combination of the West Circuit and new infield campground makes The Bend one of the best places in Australia to experience Supercars this close to the action.
“We’ve super-charged our camping offering. The shorter West Circuit means more laps, more wheel-to-wheel battlesand relentless race-side intensity, and now fans can stay right in the middle of it.” Dr. Shahid commented “Last year our fans told us they loved the racing, the action-packed line up on and off track, and the relaxed country enduro atmosphere – so we have gone even bigger and better in 2026. We’ve ramped up every part of the event to deliver more experiences, more wow moments and real value for money. If you’ve ever been curious about coming to The Bend, this is the year to do it — there’s something for everyone,”
The West Circuit will reshape the 500km enduro into a more tactical, high-pressure contest. It’s the kind of layout that rewards smart calls and punishes mistakes, and a perfect circuit for endurance racing. With shorter laps compressing the field and bringing the cars past spectators more often, this circuit will create near-constant on-track action from multiple vantage points around the venue. SA fan favourite Kai Allen said the new circuit would provide much better viewing for fans.
“The new circuit will be a lot more action packed, with closer racing and provide some really good opportunities,” Allen commented.
The new infield campground on pit straight will offer reserved sites for caravans, campervans and motorhomes alongside premium pre-set camping options, creating a true NASCAR-style stay-trackside experience for fans wanting to immerse themselves in the enduro atmosphere. Supercars Chief Executive James Warburton said the evolution of the event reflected the growing importance of The Bend on the national calendar.
“With more laps and an improved offering, it is great to see the fan experience at the AirTouch 500 step up year on year.” Warburton commented “Endurance racing really suits The Bend, and Gen3 Supercars racing on the West Circuit will provide a new challenge for drivers and teams. We expect this will lead to even closer on-track action, while off-track fans will have the same first class access the Championship is known for. This is a great step in the evolution of The Bend and its Supercars endurance race, and we look forward to returning to South Australia this September,”.
Shell V-Power Motorsport Park CEO Alistair MacDonald agreed, saying year on year, fans can expect the event to evolve and become better and better.” MacDonald commented “Across the precinct, camping options have been expanded and refreshed to enhance the fan experience, with sites accommodating up to six people. We have listened to our AirTouch 500 fans. We’ve dropped ticket prices and reshaped the event so people get even more for their dollar,”
With accommodation selling out last year, early bookings are strongly encouraged, particularly for the new infield campground. The AirTouch 500 at The Bend returns to Shell V-Power Motorsport Park from 11–13 September 2026 as the first round of the Enduro Cup in the Repco Supercars Championship. Camping, grandstand and premium hospitality packages are on sale now.
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