The Bay to Birdwood – one of the world’s great historic motoring events is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.
To deliver the event under current circumstances and with the health and safety of all our entrants, participants, spectators and event teams as our top priority, we’ve developed and submitted a comprehensive COVIDSafe Management Plan to SA Health and if approved, the Bay to Birdwood will take place as planned on Sunday 27 September.
There will be some necessary changes but we’re planning some exciting new ways for everyone to enjoy this great event while remaining COVIDSafe.
The following is a general guide to how the Bay to Birdwood may take place this year.
PARADE OF HISTORIC MOTORING
We are expecting around 1400 historic vehicles from all periods, decades and years of motoring history to parade from West Beach to Birdwood. We know that many of you have been waiting all year to get back in the driver’s seat and we’re pleased to say that this celebration of historic motoring — vintage, veteran and classic— is still open for registrations until 10 August. Please note that there are only places available for pre-1950 vehicles.
START AND FINISH EVENTS
Our start and finish events will be modified and we will not be holding the alternative start at Civic Park in Modbury this year. All participant vehicles will depart from Barratt Reserve, West Beach at staggered start times. You will be given your allocated start time well before the event. Both the start and finish events will be for registered participants only with no spectators allowed at the start and finish event locations.
VISIT THE ADELAIDE HILLS
We know how much our participants enjoy driving through the beautiful Adelaide Hills. This year, our finish event at the National Motor Museum will not include entertainment or catering. Instead, we’d like participants to explore the Adelaide Hills parks, cafes, wineries, restaurants, pubs and other attractions.
We’re working closely with Adelaide Hills Tourism to create some tips and suggestions so you can show support to those businesses in the Hills who have been impacted by the Cudlee Creek Bushfires and now COVID-19. We hope you will explore with your fabulous vehicles and fashions of the era the great offerings in the Hills and provide a much-needed boost to the local economy. More information will be available soon.
AWARDS
Judging of the prestigious Bay to Birdwood Concours d’Elegance and the Preservation Award will take place on Saturday 26 September at the Torrens Parade Ground in Adelaide. The eighty-plus vehicles and period-correct attire of the accompanying entrants will be inspected and scored by our specialist judges during the day with the winners being announced by His Excellency the Honourable Hieu Van Le, Governor of South Australia online during the week and only after the vehicles and owners have fully completed the Bay to Birdwood, of course!
INTERSTATE ENTRANTS
We know that many of our interstate entrants may not be able to join us this year. We will miss you but we hope to see you back in future years.
ENTRANT WITHDRAWALS
This year has been difficult for many of us and we understand that you may not be able or wish to participate this year. Please keep informed and in compliance of South Australia and your home state’s COVIDSafe guidelines (if applicable). If you need to withdraw your entry, please complete the withdrawal form here.
SPECTATORS
The Bay to Birdwood is enjoyed by the many thousands who line the route each year. To keep everyone COVIDSafe we will be livestreaming this year’s event, encouraging people to watch the event from the comfort of their screens. We look forward to revealing details in coming weeks.
MORE INFORMATION
As we continue to plan for our 27 September event, we will keep you informed along the way with regular updates. In the meantime, please follow us on Facebook and visit the Bay to Birdwood website or email us at BaytoBirdwood@history.sa.gov.au and read our FAQs for more information.
The Bay to Birdwood Team
