Originally an airbase for the Royal Australian Air Force, Mallala Motorsport Park opened to racing in August 1961 with a 3.38 km circuit.

The circuit’s second-ever event was the 1961 Australian Grand Prix, not then a part of the Formula One World Championship, which was won by Bib Stillwell in a Cooper Climax.

In 1964, the north-eastern loop of the circuit was shortened by moving the Bosch hairpin closer to the rest of the circuit, resulting in a new lap length of 2.6 km.

The circuit was the ‘home’ of South Australian motorsport through much of its first decade, but by 1971 the venue had been bought by Keith Williams, who also owned the now-defunct Surfers Paradise International Raceway.

That year, the circuit closed due to a court order covenant placed on the property limiting its use for motorsport, and the circuit remained silent until 1980, having been purchased by Clem Smith in 1977, after which the court order was deemed to be unenforceable.

Having been redeveloped prior to re-opening in 1980, the circuit has since hosted various national Australian championships.