Newcastle 500 Far Exceeds Expectations with More Than 190,000 Spectators

BY JESSICA ROUSE

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.

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.

Whincup taking a splash in the fountain. Image Supercars Australia Facebook page.

The Coates Hire Newcastle 500 returns to Newcastle next year on November 23-35.

Whincup Claims Supercars Championship Crown in Newcastle

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Jamie Whincup has scored his seventh Supercars title at the inaugural Newcastle 500.

The stage was set for Scott McLaughlin to take out a win today but after a trio of penalties throughout the 250km race he came undone.

The final lap was almost absolute carnage with McLaughlin squeezing Craig Lowndes into Turn 2 in a battle for 11th position. Needing 11th place to win the Championship, McLaughlin held the place but was then handed a penalty for reckless driving and ended up finishing in 18th.

Whincup took the win with 21 points ahead of McLaughlin in the Championship.

"I crossed the line and I thought I was second and I asked the guys and girls 'what's going on? Fill me in!' And then I just heard screaming down the radio so I though alright this is looking good!"

"Unbelievable."

"In any sport you never say die. It's not over until the far lady sings as they say so we knew we had a chance but your gut feel says it's a long shot. I was pretty gutted last night thinking how unlucky, what did we do to deserve yesterday. But clearly that got turned around today." 

Shane van Gisbergen crossed the line in third followed by David Reynolds.

Drivers kept the pace all race with only two safety cars needed in this afternoon's race; one for James Courtney after crashing into a wall and another for debris on the track.

Whincup has no doubt this race was one of the toughest of the year.

"It's been an unbelievable battle with some unbelievably good competition and for it to come down to the last lap, the dying moments, the last ten seconds of the year, this one is right up there," said Whincup.

2017 Supercars Champion Jamie Whincup. Image Robert Rouse

Supercars Drivers have Nothing But Praise for Big Crowds in Newcastle on Day Two

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Scott McLaughlin had nothing but praise for the crowd in Newcastle today after taking out the big race of the day in top spot.

Qualifying this morning saw McLaughlin score Pole position heading into Race 25 this afternoon with a fastest lap time of 1 minute 09 seconds. Championship contender Jamie Whincup came over the line in fifth position.

Newcastle's own Aaren Russell finished 23rd in qualifying with a time close to the front of the pack at 1 minute 10 seconds.

It didn't take long for the fresh track to see one of its first major crashes when the V8 Supercars hit the circuit late today.

Whincup's bid for the championship title took a major blow when he made contact with Michael Caruso on Turn 3, Whincup ran out of room on the turn as Caruso turned in, leaving the Holden's right-front steering arm and lower control arm needing to be replaced.

Whincup returned to the race 13 laps later and ended up finishing in 23rd position gaining just 42 points. It doesn't look like even a win will get him the Championship title tomorrow.

It leaves McLaughlin only having to finish 11th or better in the race tomorrow to take out the Supercars 2017 Championship title.

Second place was taken by Fabian Coulthard, trailed by Tim Slade.

It's louder then it seems! An estimated 60,000 people streamed through the gates today to see Newcastle looking absolutely brilliant. #newcastle500 pic.twitter.com/rt93KUY461

— Jessica Rouse (@JessRouse95) November 25, 2017

All three drivers were blown away by both the track and the crowds.

"All weekend the support has been unbelievable," said McLaughlin.

"Obviously all weekend you've seen kilometre lines at gate one trying to get in and the drivers parade to be honest we said was better than Bathurst."

"We're blown away by the place and that podium certainly topped it off."

It was heartbreak for Novocastrian Russell out on the street circuit though, he had a disappointing finish hitting the side of the track after a couple of close calls.

He was sitting just outside the top ten in the race before the incident and didn't return back to the track hoping to make amends when he hits the track tomorrow.



There was another incident earlier in the day during the V8 Ute's qualifying where two spectators suffered minor injuries when two utes collided causing debris to fly over the fence.

A man and a woman suffered minor cuts and were taken to the trackside medical centre for treatment.

In a statement, Supercars Australia said a medical team was on hand within minutes and that incidents of this nature are "extremely rare".

An estimated 60,000 people streamed through the gates today.

"It's Awesome": McLaughlin on Newcastle 500 track

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Supercar Championship contender Jamie Whincup has described the Newcastle 500 track as being like "the Gold Coast on steroids".

Drivers had their first real taste of the 2.6 kilometre track yesterday for two 40 minute practice sessions which saw Jamie Whincup take out the fastest time on the first, and Scott McLaughlin bring it home with the fastest lap on the second practice run.

Whincup was almost a full second faster than McLaughlin in the first practice finishing with 1 minute 10.15 seconds. McLaughlin finished the second practice with the fastest time of 1 minute 09.59 seconds.

Both drivers had nothing but praise for the track after yesterday, telling Supercars Australia:

"It's mad. It's awesome," said McLaughlin.

"Exactly what we thought it was going to be, and probably a bit more."

Whincup said it was a bit bumpier than he was anticipating and it certainly is a challenge.

"You're not even in top gear, it's just a short, little, crazy street circuit. [It's the] Gold Coast on steroids in a way."

"The best part of the circuit is the last part of the corners, coming over the hill down the big rollercoaster into that last, second-last corner," said Whincup.

Today and tomorrow the Supercars will hit the track for two 250km races to decide whether Whincup or McLaughlin will be the 2017 Supercars Champion.

There's plenty of entertainment on and off the track, the Touring Car Masters, V8 Utes, Aussie Race Cars, Toyota 86 and the Dunlop Super2 Series take to the track again today.

The lineup to get wristbands this morning for tonight's concert at the Newcastle 500 certainly were long, but it's sure to be worth the wait with Cold Chisel and Spiderbait taking to the stage in the race precinct tonight.

Last night twin sister duo The Veronicas and Delta Goodrem opened the first night of entertainment for the Newcastle 500 with plenty of fans packing into the heart of the race precinct.

Delta Goodrem rocking the Newcastle 500 last night.

Thousands Race Through the Gates for Day One of the Newcastle 500

BY JESSICA ROUSE

It's only day one and it looks like the Newcastle 500 is going to be a big hit with racegoers.

Thousands poured through the gates today to watch the V8 Supercars hit the track for their first practice runs ahead of the Supercars Championship decider on the weekend.

The first 40 minute practice got underway at midday with 2017 Championship contender and six-time champion Jamie Whincup bringing home the fastest lap time at just over 1 minute 10.15 seconds.

Not far behind him was Scott Pye, Shane Van Gisbergen, Michael Caruso and in fifth place Tim Slade.

The other big contender for the 2017 Championship title Scott McLaughlin came in at 7th with a time of 1 minute 11.06 seconds.

McLaughlin fought back in Practice 2 though, he came out on top with the fastest time of 1 minute 09.59 seconds just ahead of Whincup who finished the practice in second place with a time of 1 minute 10.02 seconds.

Todd Kelly came along in third, followed by Scott Pye, Fabian Coulthard, Tim Slade and David Reynolds in sixth.

There was only one small incident during the first practice with Mark Winterbottom locking up on the first turn heading down onto the escape road, he made a turn left to rejoin the track.

The Toyota 86 series cars, Aussie Race Cars, V8 Utes and Dunlop Super2 Series also hit the track today.

The Toyota 86's are out in practice once again! #Newcastle500 pic.twitter.com/KgbTNX0zos

— 2NURFM News (@2NURFMNews) November 24, 2017

Meanwhile, it's all hands on deck from Newcastle City Council's perspective for this weekend.

Council has rostered on 120 extra staff to cover the weekend with extra staff including rangers, food inspectors, waste collection crews, parks crews, lifeguards, parking officers and communication officers.

Speaking of waste collection, an extra 600 waste bins have been placed throughout the surrounding areas of the race precinct which will be emptied twice a daily from today until Sunday to cater for the extra people moving in and around the city. Supercars Australia will be looking after waste collection within the precinct.

Road crews will be on deck to respond to any issues with council-managed roads and lifeguards will be stationed at all of the beaches including Newcastle Beach and Nobbys Beach.

Image @HunterHappenings Twitter

Newcastle 500 Set To Be a Roaring Success

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The Supercars CEO has no doubt the Newcastle 500 will be a roaring success.

The East End has been completely transformed into a challenging street circuit which will see 150,000 racegoers flock to the precinct over the next three days.

CEO James Warburton said it's going to be an absolutely brilliant weekend for the last race in the Championship for 2017.

"The whole of the Supercars community is excited and obviously the fans are as well so the numbers are looking absolutely extraordinary and I think we're going to have a brilliant weekend and most importantly we're going to put an incredibly bright spotlight on Newcastle."

Jamie Whincup and Scott McLaughlin will be fighting it out for the Championship title with just 30 points separating the pair. McLaughlin will have to finish several places in front of six-time Supercars Champion Whincup to claim the 2017 Supercars title.

"We never at look at events over a short period of time, I can see this event being here for 15 to 20 years. The finale is a really integral part of our calendar, and obviously, in terms of the crowds a lot of things sold out and I think this will be a very strong weekend and everyone should enjoy themselves," said James.

It won't just be Supercars hitting the race track, Aussie Race Cars, Toyota 86, V8 Utes and a host of other vehicles will be racing around the 2.6 kilometre circuit.

James has thanked the community for all of the support and hopes it continues well into the future beyond his reign as CEO which finishes up at the end of the year.

"It's been a very complex and long civil and capital works program, it's actually been short at six months, but I think the community has been really understanding and I hope they turn out and really enjoy themselves," said James.

There are major road closures in place around the precinct, special event clearways and extra public transport are in place for the next three days. For all the details head to Transport NSW website.