Adelaide Driving Experiences & Motorsports

Adelaide driving experiences run on three tracks: rally cars at Steinfeld in the Barossa Valley, V8 Mustangs and race cars at The Bend Motorsport Park in Tailem Bend, and NextGen Mustangs at Mallala Motorsport Park. Pick whether you want to drive or ride along, then pick the car. Everything here starts from things to do in Adelaide, with every session on a proper circuit and a professional coach or driver in the car.

Rally driving in the Barossa Valley

Rally School SA runs its track at Steinfeld, in the Barossa Valley, with 4WD turbo Subaru and Mitsubishi rally cars. The 16-lap rally driving experience is a popular choice: you drive both cars for 8 laps each, a professional sits beside you, and there's a bonus hot lap at the end. The session averages a 2-hour visit.

If you'd rather leave the steering to someone else, the 3-lap rally car ride straps you into the co-driver's seat for a 30-minute stint around the same track. Spectators are welcome at both, and you can bring your own picnic. The venue has no public transport, so plan to drive out.

V8 Mustang drives at Mallala Motorsport Park

Fastrack V8 Race Adelaide puts you in a NextGen Mustang at Mallala Motorsport Park, with a coach in the car talking you through each lap. You get a race suit, helmet and an in-car headset, plus a safety briefing before you roll out.

The length of the drive is the main choice. The 4-lap Mustang drive is the shortest way in. The 6-lap drive and 8-lap drive give you time to settle in and push harder as you learn the track. The 20-lap Mustang experience splits into two 10-lap sessions with race coaching, and suits anyone who wants a longer stint or a first step towards racing. Friends and family can watch from the sidelines on the shorter drives.

Hot laps and race cars at The Bend Motorsport Park

The Bend Motorsport Park sits on the Dukes Highway at Tailem Bend, and its circuit is where the passenger hot laps run. A professional driver does the driving. You get the suit, helmet and the cornering forces.

The V8 Mustang hot lap is a popular choice for first-timers. For something quicker off the line, there's the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup hot lap, and the Radical SR3 passenger ride, a lightweight race car powered by a Suzuki Hayabusa engine. If you want your hands on the wheel here, the 5-lap V8 Mustang drive comes with in-car guidance from a professional driver.

Drive or ride: which track and car

Driving gives you the wheel and a coach in the next seat. Hot laps give you the speed with a professional doing the driving.

Choose the rally cars for turbo Subarus and Mitsubishis in the Barossa. Choose Mallala for the longest drives in a Mustang, from 4 laps up to 20. Choose The Bend for the widest mix of cars, from a Mustang to a Porsche and a Radical, all as passenger rides.

Defensive driving and the skydive combo

Not every driving day is about speed. The defensive driving course runs at Adelaide International Raceway in Virginia, starts at 8.15am and finishes around 4pm. It's built for L-plate and P-plate drivers, and for anyone who wants to sharpen their road skills.

For a bigger day, the tandem skydive and hot lap combo pairs a jump from up to 15,000ft with three V8 Mustang hot laps at The Bend. The operator suggests keeping a 4-hour window free, because weather and air traffic can move skydiving times. You can find more airborne options on the Adelaide flying experiences page.

Planning your driving day

Tracks sit outside the city, so build a day around them. The Barossa rally track pairs naturally with a wine region visit, and the food and drinks experiences in Adelaide cover tastings and lunches nearby. Sessions at The Bend start from 9am.

On the day, wear full-length clothing and closed-in shoes. Helmets are supplied at The Bend, and Mallala supplies a race suit and helmet. Check-in happens before your session, so arrive ahead of your booking time.

Frequently asked questions

What driving experiences can you do near Adelaide?

Adelaide driving experiences include rally car drives and rides at Steinfeld in the Barossa Valley, V8 Mustang drives at Mallala Motorsport Park, and passenger hot laps in a V8 Mustang, Porsche 911 GT3 Cup or Radical SR3 at The Bend Motorsport Park.

Do I need a manual licence for the rally car drive?

Yes. The Barossa Valley rally car driving experience requires participants to be proficient with a manual transmission, so check the experience page before booking.

Are there height or weight limits on rally driving?

Yes. The Barossa Valley rally cars have a roll cage and helmets, so the operator sets height and weight limits for safety. Check the details on the experience page before you book.

Can I just ride as a passenger instead of driving?

Yes. Hot lap experiences at The Bend Motorsport Park and the 3-lap rally car ride in the Barossa Valley put you in the passenger seat with a professional driver at the wheel.

What should I wear for an Adelaide driving experience?

Wear long trousers and closed-in shoes, and at The Bend, full-length wrist-to-ankle clothing. Helmets are supplied, and race suits are supplied for the Mustang drives at Mallala.

Can friends and family watch?

Yes. Spectators are welcome at the Barossa Valley rally experiences, and there is a spectator zone at Mallala for the Mustang drives.

Can learner drivers do the defensive driving course?

Yes. The Adelaide defensive driving course suits L-plate and P-plate drivers. Learners must bring a fully licensed driver with them.

Pick your car, pick your track and book a session that fits your day. Adelaide's circuits put you in a Mustang, a Porsche or a rally car, with a coach or professional driver beside you.