For the first time in event history, the OTR SuperSprint will kick off with a street party in the nearby town of Murray Bridge.
The OTR SuperSprint, on August 18-20, is the first South Australian Supercars event of the year.
The Bend and the Murray Bridge Council have announced a free event that will take place on Thursday August 17.
The event will be held between 4:30pm and 6:30pm local time with the closure of East Terrace adjacent the Bridgeport Hotel.
The Street Party will feature Supercars driver appearances and and an autograph session as well as support category car displays.
The local car clubs will also united to fill the street with some classic vehicles for onlookers to enjoy.
The event will feature leading support categories of Porsche Carrera Cup, Toyota 86, S5000, Touring Car Masters and the V8 SuperUtes.
The Repco Supercars Championship will compete in three sprint races across Saturday and Sunday.
Iconic Australian band the Choirboys to pair with award-winning band Kingswood on Saturday night to put on the Rocking the Murray Concert for racegoers.
Additionally, $10 return buses will operate from Adelaide to The Bend for all 3 days of the event with free buses running between Murray Bridge and Tailem Bend.
The Bend Motorsport Park CEO Alistair MacDonald said: "The OTR SuperSprint provides an enormous boost to the region annually.
“So it’s fantastic to keep evolving and to start the event a night early in Murray Bridge with a free event for race fans and the community as a whole.”
“The Murray Bridge Street Party will provide a perfect opportunity for locals and those visiting the region to meet their favourite drivers, enjoy some live music and take in some awesome race and road cars.”
Wayne Thorley, Mayor The Rural City of Murray Bridge, added: "I am excited to extend a warm welcome to the drivers and Supercars to the Murray Bridge Street party on August 18 and encourage all our racing enthusiasts and those wishing to be a part of the spectacle to join us and meet the drivers, while admiring some magnificent machines.”
“The Rural City of Murray Bridge is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the Bend Motorsport Park to bring this event to Murray Bridge, delivering a taste of world-class racing to our community.”
Tickets to the OTR SuperSprint are on sale now.
The 2023 Repco Supercars Championship will resume at the Beaurepaires Sydney SuperNight on July 28-30. Tickets are on sale now.