The Bend Classic featuring Country Music Festival

Country music and motorsport are set to collide in a big way at Tailem Bend this spring, with Lee Kernaghan and James Johnston announced as the headline acts for a refreshed Bend Classic across the October long weekend.

Running at Shell V-Power Motorsport Park, the event is being reimagined as a full-scale weekend of country music, camping and classic cars, with the Saturday music festival led by two of the country's biggest local names.

Beyond the stage, the weekend is set to roll out as a full precinct-wide experience. Fans will be able to stay on site with multiple camping options, including infield camping overlooking the circuit, deluxe pre-set tents and a new Turn 1 tent and swag area, while the broader program will also feature nostalgia drag racing, historic motorsport, family activities and other festival-style entertainment.

The event is tailored to the growing overlap between live music crowds, regional road-trippers and motorsport fans. With more artist announcements still to come, this year's Bend Classic looks like it is aiming to be more than a niche weekend away. It's set to become to be a fixture on the South Australian events calendar.