The Newcastle 500 far exceeded expectations.
The anticipated number of 150,000 racegoers was smashed with more than 192,000 fans flocking to Newcastle's CBD over the last three days.
It could become the largest annual sporting event with 56, 478 patrons on Friday, 69,526 on Saturday and 66, 238 on Sunday, plus some 9, 000 corporate guests.
Supercars CEO James Warburton said the whole weekend was phenomenal.
“The venue is incredible; the crowds have been huge and the live pictures of the boats, ships, the harbour, the beaches and Newcastle being beamed live around Australia and the world are amazing."
2017 Supercars Champion Jamie Whincup had nothing but praise for the inaugural event.
"It was an unbelievable event and I'm not just saying that cause we're here. Friday morning to see people queued up for hundreds of metres just to get in, the driver's parade there was so many people, it was absolutely packed out."
"I don't reckon anyone who came out this weekend was disappointed and didn't get value for money. I think they were unbelievable pictures that went all over the country and all over the world on what supercar racing is all about. No doubt this will grow from strength to strength."
All of the drivers who landed podium finishes across the weekend in the Supercars events agreed the track certainly was a challenge.
"It's one of the toughest no doubt. Those runs down the hill are incredibly difficult. It's so easy to make a mistake, very difficult to pass so if you're back in the pack coming through is really tough," said Whincup.
"It's one of the toughest no doubt. Those runs down the hill are incredibly difficult. It's so easy to make a mistake, very difficult to pass so if you're back in the pack coming through is really tough," said Whincup.
Novocastrian Aaren Russell agreed it took Saturday's race to figure out the track and it's tricks.
"Today was a lot easier, to be honest, I think yesterday was a bit of a great unknown so today we all knew kind of where the spots were where you could pass and what wasn't on. I had a few bloody hairy moments with some other cars that I thought were going to shove me into a wall so maybe I drove a little conservative," said Russell.Nothing but Smiles from Racegoers
Racegoers were very happy with the event and with more than 190, 000 of them it was hard to find anyone who wasn't enjoying themselves.
"Awesome event. Well planned out. It's such a mind spin to see cars going through the middle of Newcastle and around the streets we usually drive on," said Mark from Maitland.
"And it's such a great showcase for our city to the world. The world is watching. It's pretty awesome."
The race precinct saw it's fair share of spectators who simply went along to soak up the atmosphere.
"I'm not a car person and I don't like car racing at all but I had to come because of the event. I can see the attraction but the main thing is Newcastle has got it all. The views, the weather, the city," said David from Newcastle.
Everyone agreed the weekend really shone a spotlight on Newcastle not only here in Australia but throughout the world.
Garry from Gorokan on the Central Coast agreed and with many others found it easy and trouble-free to jump on public transport and head into the race precinct.
"Nice easy walk from the station to the track."
"Better than Sydney."
"Lovely weather, like the track. It could be a little bit wider but other than that it's great."
The event would have had its teething problems, and one of the only things spectators would have liked to see was more big screens and loudspeakers so they knew what was happening throughout the whole race.
The Coates Hire Newcastle 500 returns to Newcastle next year on November 23-35.
The event would have had its teething problems, and one of the only things spectators would have liked to see was more big screens and loudspeakers so they knew what was happening throughout the whole race.
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| Whincup taking a splash in the fountain. Image Supercars Australia Facebook page. |
