F/A-18F Super Hornet to perform in Adelaide

Supercars fans will be treated to a rare sight in the skies at next month’s VALO Adelaide 500.

The infamous street circuit will host the season finale of 2022 Repco Supercars Championship across December 1-4. Tickets are on sale now.

The Australian Defence Force will return to the Adelaide Parklands circuit for the first time since 2020, headlined by the Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornet aerial display.

One of the Air Force’s fleet of fast-jet aircraft, the Super Hornet can climb to 50,000 feet, and reach speeds well in excess of 1000km/h.

Fans trackside can expect to see supersonic flyovers, soaring high-speed vertical ascents, and heart-stopping dives before the Supercars drivers take to the Adelaide streets for dual-250km races.

The RAAF’s 24 F/A-18F Super Hornets are based at Number 1 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley and one will travel to Adelaide to put on a show for fans at the Supercars season finale.

The Premier of South Australia, Peter Malinauskas said the Australian Defence Force is an integral part of the event.

"I’m very pleased to welcome the F/A-18F Super Hornet to our skies for the VALO Adelaide 500."

"The flyover is a spectacular part of the show for crowds of all ages. After a quiet couple of years, I’m sure the Super Hornet’s presence will be a highlight."

It marks more than 1000 days since the last appearance of one of Australia’s fast jets at the Adelaide event, with a now retired F/A-18A Classic Hornet performing the flyover in 2020.

In addition to the fast jet display, fans will have the chance to see military vehicles up close and speak to military personnel at the ADF’s interactive display of current in-service equipment, including an M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank and the new Hawkei.

Team Army, an initiative which focuses on increasing the awareness of the broad range of career opportunities within the Australian Army for men and women, will also be on site, with Project Digger (1978 Ford LTD Supercharged V8 Ford) and Project Matilda (6x6 Mercedes G-wagon).

The F/A-18F Super Hornet will take to the skies at 2.56pm local time on Saturday December 3 and 2.23pm local time on Sunday December 4.