Australian MotoGP organisers expect Casey Stoner's absence will mean sharp drop in crowds
THE retirement of Casey Stoner will be keenly felt at this weekend’s Australian MotoGP with organisers expecting a sharp drop in attendance.
THE retirement of Aussie two-time world champion Casey Stoner will be keenly felt at this weekendÂ’s Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix with organisers expecting a sharp drop in attendance.
A record-breaking 122,470 people streamed through the gates over the three days last year – including more than 53,000 on race day – to see Stoner farewell Phillip Island with a sixth consecutive win.
The popularity and success of Stoner meant the event enjoyed strong crowds and solid revenue growth during his reign.
But the Australian star’s presence at the island circuit will be reduced to a book signing and a lap of honour alongside fellow world champions Mick Doohan and Wayne Gardner tomorrow.
Australian Grand Prix Corporation boss Andrew Westacott said Stoner will be missed when the three-day event gets underway today.
“It’s realistic there will be a drop off this year because we haven’t got an Aussie legend racing,” he said.
“We had one of those glory years last year, which was over 100,000,” he said.
“We’ll be short of 100,000 – we expect a crowd of 70 to 80,000 across the three days.
“It depends on factors such as the weather and thankfully the forecast looks sensational.”
Organisers are hoping the good weather and the prospect of 20-year-old young gun Marc Marquez clinching his first world title will help drive people through the gates.
Westacott said he expected a spike in walk-up ticket sales.
“For the motorsport devotees who come from across Victoria and interstate, it’s not a tougher sell,” Westacott said.
“But for those people who come along every five or six years to see an Aussie hero farewell the circuit, yes that’s different.
“That will be missing this year but we still expect terrific support.”
With revenue expected to drop this year, organisers have cut costs while still trying to maintain a high quality product for the spectators.
“We focus on very prudent expenditure,” he said.
“It’s always a balancing act – you have to look at the return in investment on anything you do in business.
“We’re running an event that runs Victoria, but we’ve got to spend our money wisely and carefully and we have”
The crowd will dip this last year, but it won’t stop the fanatics with over 4000 people expected to stay at the campgrounds next to the track over the three days.
They will only see Stoner go around the island circuit once this weekend, but Westacott said he hoped rumours of a possible return to the sport were true.
“Casey Stoner is always welcome to come back,” he said.
“I don’t think we will get him back for this year, but you never know for next year.”