Newcastle 500 in pictures: Supercars fans flock to day two

Tens of thousands of people flocked to Newcastle’s Foreshore Park and surrounds to take in the festival vibes of the last round of the Supercar series - see it in pictures.

Crowds line the street near Customs House in Newcastle as Fabian Coulthard passes by. Picture: Darren Pateman

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Tens of thousands of people flocked to Newcastle Street Circuit at Foreshore Park and its surrounds to watch the final round of the Supercars Championship.

There was plenty of ear-rattling action for the many revheads on-hand in the qualifying round of the Newcastle 500.

But the festival nature of the event also shows the best Newcastle has to offer from the waterfront views to the laid back culture and the larrikin nature of Novocastrians.

A military band performs at the Newcastle 500 on Saturday. Picture: Robbie Patterson

Supercars fans line up for autographs during the Supercars Newcastle 500, Picture: /Darren Pateman

It also shows a philanthropic element, with Fox Sports commissioning an artists — the aptly named Mitch Revs — to create a mural that is typically Newcastle.

It has been signed by every Supercars Driver and a who’s who of the Newcastle sporting scene.

It is being auctioned off until Sunday with all proceeds helping support the NSW Rural Fire Service.

Luke Egan, Jess Yates, Craig Lowndes & Mitch Revs with the artwork being auctioned on Sunday.

Some were lucky enough to get behind the scenes to see the racing teams in action, the analysis rooms and the pit lanes.

Like Wallsend resident Grayce Musgrave, 4, who got a meet and greet with the Fox Sports commentators, including a couple of Supercars legends.

She had a brief chat with Jess Yates, Mark Skaife and Craig Lowndes from the broadcast studio.

Fox Sports commentators Jess Yates, Mark Skaife and Craig Lowndes with Grayce Musgrave in the commentary box. Picture: Robbie Patterson

Classic cars preparing for a lap of the track. Picture: Robbie Patterson

Crowds line the streets of Newcastle to watch the Supercar action on Saturday. Picture: Darren Pateman

And the event — which was plucked from the hands of Gosford at the eleventh-hour when the newly-merged Central Coast Council withdrew interest — has been a raging success for Newcastle.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes told the Newcastle News the event was expected to bring in $55m to the local economy.

A young Supercars fan takes a ride around the track. Picture: Darren Pateman

“And that doesn’t even take into account the dollars that are being brought to Lake

Macquarie, Port Stephens, Maitland and Cessnock,’’ Cr Nelmes said as she made her way to the event on Friday.

“It continues to be a great opportunity to really put Newcastle on the map and show what the city is really like.

“Those aerial views of the race, showing the beaches and the working harbour, are priceless for this area.’’