Newcastle SuperMoto organiser Graeme Boyd will be happy to get back to the foreshore for next year’s event after a disappointing turnout at Newcastle Showground over the weekend.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The annual event attracted about 20,000 last year, but the attendance plummeted to 3000 at the new venue.
Boyd was forced to move the racing this year due to Supercars roadworks. He introduced an entry fee but said fans had clearly not embraced the new location, despite a host of national and international champions on show.
“It was only 10 per cent of the crowd. It wasn’t the price; I think it was just the location,” he said.
“I thought the crowd would have come to the showground knowing they would have grandstand seats, all the amenities.
“Can’t say it was the weather. It’s just not the same. It’s certainly disappointing.”
Little-known Victorian Adam Millar shocked a field including three-time American champion Gage McAllister and former Superbike world champion Troy Bayliss to win the feature Oceania SuperMoto Championship.
“He’s seen the telecasts and he built the same sort of track and practised the hell out of it,” Boyd said.
“He came from out of nowhere. We didn’t even really know who he was. He won and he won convincingly.”
Ben Attard and Michael Kirkness filled the minor placing after an electrical problem in one race cost McAllister dearly.
